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.

These collaborations extend Gateway America’s reach from fruits and vegetables to proteins, where pathogens pose even greater risk. The ability to apply irradiation safely to meat products demonstrates its adaptability and willingness to meet evolving safety demands.

Research feeds policy, and policy opens trade. Working closely with the USDA and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) trade directors, Gateway America helps develop new framework agreements that allow more commodities to enter the U.S. under irradiation treatment. To support this mission, its government affairs team works directly with countries and regulators to expand eligibility based on pests of concern.

The results are already visible. Products that once faced trade barriers, such as mangoes from Pakistan, roses from Colombia, asparagus from Peru and pomegranates from Chile, now enter the U.S. market safely. Each successful, irradiated shipment builds confidence among growers, importers and regulators, making Gateway America a trusted partner in creating resilient and transparent trade networks.

Scaling for Tomorrow’s Trade

With demand for sustainable food trade on the rise, Gateway America is expanding its reach. The Gulfport facility remains a cornerstone, but its ambition stretches far beyond the Gulf Coast. Plans are underway for a new site in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, strategically positioned to handle commodities entering the U.S. from Mexico. Another facility is planned in the Midwest, with a focus on proteins that require rigorous treatment.

Both sites are expected to come online in the next 18 to 24 months. Looking further ahead, opportunities are being pursued at major East Coast ports and along the California-to-Texas corridor, where Mexican produce enters the country in high volumes. This five- to 10-year vision underscores Gateway America’s belief that irradiation will become the dominant standard for safe imports.

That confidence is rooted in an understanding of scale. To replace fumigation nationwide, irradiation facilities must operate at multiple ports of entry, creating a network capable of supporting global trade. Gateway America is building that network, and laying the groundwork for a more resilient food system.

The Journey from Local Oysters to Global Trade

Its story originated in Gulfport, Mississippi, where its original facility was built to treat oysters harvested from the Gulf of Mexico. The niche operation soon evolved into something much larger. When the BP oil spill disrupted Gulf fisheries, Gateway America looked beyond seafood and realized how the same irradiation technology could safeguard perishable commodities from around the world.

That pivot was made possible by clear regulation. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) codified requirements under ‘7 CFR 305.9,’ which mandate irradiation treatment for specific commodities as a condition of entry into the U.S.

Bill Hawks, the former undersecretary of agriculture, played an important role in bringing those regulations to life, making it possible for irradiated imports to gain approval and move into the U.S. market.

By pairing regulatory insight with technical expertise, Gateway America positioned itself as more than a service provider. It became a bridge between global growers, U.S. regulators and the consumers whose confidence sustains the market.

The Next Chapter in Food Safety

The tech represents a forward-looking standard for food safety that is both environmentally responsible and scientifically validated.

By reducing pathogens that cause spoilage and shorten freshness windows, it has also made it possible for categories of perishables once considered too fragile for import to now reach U.S. markets in prime condition. Each successful shipment is proof that irradiation isn’t just a treatment; it’s an enabler of global trade.

What lies ahead is a future where irradiation is no longer the exception but the expectation. By placing facilities at strategic ports of entry, Gateway America is laying the foundation for a food trade system where safety is guaranteed.

Gateway America’s story showcases more than just technology. It is about creating the conditions for safer trade, stronger markets and greater consumer trust. In that sense, its impact is felt not only at ports of entry but across the entire food trade system, where growers gain access to new markets, regulators gain confidence and consumers gain safe, reliable options.