History of Irradiation
Discovery that uranium is radioactive 1896
?-rays found to destroy bacteria in food 1900
Patents issued for food irradiation 1905
Electron-beam accelerator invented 1940
X-rays found to preserve ground beef 1943
U. S. Army tests irradiation on foods 1950’s
U. S. government approves irradiation
for wheat flour, potatoes 1963-64
NASA sterilizes food with irradiation 1970’s
Irradiation approved for herbs, spices,