Cobalt-60 irradiation facility is used to test irradiation as a tool for food safety. Food irradiation is an FDA approved technology that can be used to control insects in fruit and vegetables, extend the shelf life of fresh produce, and control pathogenic organisms in products such as poultry and red meat. PNNL has an extensive base of experience in food irradiation including product testing, environmental assessment, facility design, operation, economic assessment. Food irradiation is the process of exposing foodstuffs to ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation is energy that can be transmitted without direct contact (radiation) capable of freeing electrons from their atomic bonds (ionization) in the targeted food. Release date October, 2013.