Food Irradiation Services

From oysters pulled from the Gulf of Mexico to mangoes ripened in South America and blueberries harvested in the Pacific Northwest, perishables make a long journey through ports, warehouses and inspection lines before reaching consumers. Changes in temperature or the slightest contamination can be the difference between fresh cargo and a rejected shipment.

For years, the industry relied on chemical fumigation to manage these risks, most often using methyl bromide. It worked, but at a cost. The chemical’s ecological impact, particularly on the ozone layer, has long been a concern.

With growing awareness of environmental sustainability, the industry is turning toward safer, cleaner alternatives—led by Gateway America.
It is the first U.S. company built solely around phytosanitary irradiation. The scientific process uses precisely measured ionizing radiation to neutralize pests and pathogens while keeping food clean, safe and residue-free. Targeted irradiation eliminates E. coli, salmonella and listeria. This method of replacing chemical fumigation has been validated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the World Health Organization and other global regulatory authorities.

“Hospitals and laboratories have used irradiation for sterilization for decades,” says Frank Benso, founder and CEO. “We have been able to successfully adapt a proven medical process for food, and turn it into an agricultural solution that aligns with global food-safety standards.”

Replacing Fear with Clarity

People often associate radiation with risk, but Gateway America focuses on generating awareness to replace fear with understanding.

“The reality is we’re all exposed to radiation daily, from sunlight to office lighting. In controlled, low doses, irradiation is safe, effective and a logical alternative to chemical fumigation,” explains Benso.

That shift in understanding matters because irradiation isn’t just a safer process; it’s a smarter one. It preserves food quality, reduces chemical dependence and aligns food safety with environmental responsibility. Streamlining inspection and clearance at ports nationwide helps move goods faster and more efficiently from coast to coast.

There’s another advantage. Irradiation helps prevent false positives in hazard analysis that can trigger costly recalls. In protein facilities, those false alarms disrupt production and erode trust. Low-dose irradiation addresses this issue by treating products reliably before they reach the consumer.

Gateway America’s work is all about restoring trust—in the food that’s traded, the systems that protect it and the science that keeps it safe.

Science and Policy that Go Hand in Hand

Trust in food safety depends on more than technology. It demands validation. That’s why Gateway America has invested in research partnerships, most notably with Mississippi State University, to study the impact of irradiation across a wide range of commodities. Their findings reinforce USDA and U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines, which state that irradiation is both safe and effective when applied correctly.