Food and Drug Administration Issues Approval
for Pulsed UV Light in the Production,
Processing and Handling of Food

Code 21CFR179.41, issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Health and Human Services, approves the use of Pulsed UV light in the production, processing and handling of food.

Title 21 – FOOD AND DRUGS (Page 438)

Chapter I – FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Part 179 – IRRADIATION IN THE PRODUCTION, PROCESSING AND HANDLING OF FOOD

Subpart B – Radiation and Radiation Sources

Sec. 179.41 Pulsed light for the treatment of food

Pulsed light may be safely used for the treatment of foods under the following conditions:

(a) The radiation sources consist of xenon flashlamps designed to emit broadband radiation consisting of wavelengths covering the range of 200 to 1,000 nanometers (nm), and operated so that the pulse duration is no longer than 2 milliseconds (ms);

(b) The treatment is used for surface microorganism control;

(c) Foods treated with pulsed light shall receive the minimum treatment reasonably required to accomplish the intended technical effect; and

(d) The total cumulative treatment shall not exceed 12.0 joules/square centimeter (J/cm\2\.)