Irradiated

/ɪˈreɪdieɪtɪd/ verb, adjective

Definition

Exposed to radiation, or treated with radiation (commonly used for food preservation).

Etymology

From Latin 'irradiare': 'ir-' (into) plus 'radiare' (to emit rays), from 'radius' (ray). The term entered English in the 1800s as radiation science developed.

Kelly Says

Food irradiation sounds scary but it's actually one of the safest food technologies—it kills bacteria without leaving any radiation behind, similar to how hospital sterilizers work, and it's approved in over 60 countries but Americans are often suspicious of it.

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