Steritech, a commercial enterprise involved in electron beam treatment of food products and medical disposables has applied to the Food Standards of Australia-New Zealand to increase the energy level of irradiation for food products.  Currently five MeV is allowed.  The Company is requesting an increase to the 7.5 MeV level of intensity for currently approved foods including fresh produce.

During 2022, Steritech treated close to 8,000 tons of fresh produce for export.  Electron beam treatment is analogous to an x-ray and the technology does not involve the use of radioactive isotopes.  As with an x-ray installation, electron beam pasteurizers can be turned on and off as required. By increasing the irradiation dose to 7.5 MeV, processing time will be reduced, more uniform treatment attained and cost will be proportionally reduced.