Irradiation is an antimicrobial treatment that uses rays (x-rays, gamma rays, etc.) to reduce or eliminate bacteria, yeast, and mold — thereby prolonging a product’s shelf life. Irradiation is not new; it’s a common practice in food, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and even NASA’s dehydrated foods. It is used in more than 45 countries worldwide, and many everyday food products such as spices and flour are also irradiated.

If irradiation is so common, why are we concerned about irradiated cannabis?

The concern lies not in the irradiation itself, but in the dose level applied to cannabis products. With no standardized guidelines on cannabis irradiation, excessive irradiation doses used to treat contaminated products can negatively affect product quality and increase production costs, since irradiation is an expensive process.

What Is the Solution?

A well-designed sanitation program combined with a minimal or low irradiation dose can ensure cannabis products remain both safe and high-quality. It’s also crucial to ensure that input materials (cannabis and other ingredients) are clean and low in microbial load, as contamination often begins at the source.

At CanSat Consulting, we provide quality, regulatory, and licensing services to the cannabis, food, and pharmaceutical industries. Our experts help businesses maintain compliance while improving operational and quality efficiency.

Contact us today at info@cansatconsulting.com to schedule a no-obligation complimentary consultation with one of our specialists.