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Irradiation Know-How – we are aware, we take care!

Irradiation is a normative process which is strictly regulated. The service provider is under obligation to respect the means and the dosage for treatment. It is essential to define the objectives for the type of product being irradiated in order to ensure the sanitary and hygienic qualities.
Treatment by ionization is a reliable, standardized process applicable to a wide range of products and materials to achieve sanitazion or sterility in the products.

The health quality of a diet after irradiation depends mainly on the following factors:

the bacterial / viral bioburden prior to irradiation
the effective dose applied throughout the entire mass of the product
the minimum dose effectively applied
the risk of recontamination after irradiation, respectively the importance of the chosen packaging, like vacuum-wrapped, double paper and/or plastic bags

Irradiation

For Constant Diet Quality

Typical radiation doses are 10, 25 or 40 kGy, which are guaranteed as a minimum dose in all parts of the product. SAFE^® manages the irradiation process for a low ratio dose between the core of the packaging and its surface. The goal is to guarantee a consistent quality of the irradiated diets and bedding.

Thus, all irradiated SAFE^® diets are processed to achieve a maximum ratio of 3 throughout the packaging.

SAFE^® Irradiation Standard

Autoclaving vs. Irradiation

Autoclaving

high temperatures of autoclaving increase the denaturation of proteins and influence the digestibility of the diet
toxic neoformed composites
heat-sensitive ingredients such as vitamins denature through high temperatures
oxidation of components like fatty acids takes place

Most of these effects are compensated in the production of autoclavable diets by an additional dosage of nutrients. This ensures that the correct nutrient content is maintained after autoclaving. Furthermore, a reliable and constant autoclaving treatment must be carried out and guaranteed. By following the above suggestions, the risk of forming indigestible fractions or antinutritive composites can be minimized.

Irradiation

negative effects of oxidation are minimized by:
- bag by bag irradiation
- use of vacuum sealed bags which prevent recontamination of the product
thermal effects are much lower compared to autoclaving
denaturation of DNA without any major nutritional effects

RECOMMENDATION

The temporary storage of products that have already been autoclaved bears the risk of nutritional degradation and recontamination.

The expenses associated with the operation of an autoclave such as validation, maintenance, operating costs, etc. can be avoided by using irradiated products.