Food irradiation control

using TL and PSL/OSL techniques

European standards
DIN EN 13751 | DIN EN 1788

Food irradiation

Food stuff often is irradiated with ionizing radiation for sterilisation purposes. This requires the detection and estimates of the applied doses. The attached mineral dust or the food itself serves as dosimeter.

  • TL/OSL to detect irradiation of e.g. spices

  • Presence/absence of signal specific features shows the irradiation

  • Dose estimates are possible for some materials

Jo, Y., Sanyal, B., Chung, N., Lee, H.-G., Park, Y., Park, H.-J., and Kwon, J.-H. (2015). Calibrated photostimulated luminescence is an effective approach to identify irradiated orange during storage. Radiation Physics and Chemistry 111, 81-86.


Photo Stimulated Luminescence (PSL)

Photo Stimulated Luminescence (PSL)

Silicate minerals contained in food according EN 13751

  • Spices (dust attached to spices)

  • Shrimps (intestines contain dust/sand)

  • Shells (crushed)


Thermoluminescence (TL)

Thermoluminescence (TL)

  • Silicate minerals extracted from food according to EN 1788

  • Spices (dust attached to spices)

  • Herbs (dust attached to herbs)

  • Seafood


Xray Dose

For a detection of food irradiation with luminescence methods (EN1788, EN13751) the food has to be irradiated in the laboratory for comparison. The large doses required are achieved with the Xray Dose irradiator.