Radioactive isotopes are atoms with unstable nuclei that can be produced naturally or by scientists in the laboratory. Radioisotopes have a huge and important effect on the technologies that provide us with food, water and good health. Scientists, doctors and even people around the world have always faced food poisoning and food spoilage due to insects, fungi or bacteria that can cause human diseases or cause food spoilage. Food irradiation is the process by which food becomes safer and more resistant to spoilage, allowing it to have a longer shelf life and be in better condition because it kills disease-causing organisms and slows or eliminates those that cause deterioration, making it more and more dangerous. able to stay fresh for a longer period. The most common radioisotopes used to irradiate food are cobalt-60 and cesium-137. Food irradiation has several advantages and some disadvantages which both have their cultural, health and economic effects (uses of radioisotopes) . During the food irradiation process, food is exposed to gamma rays or x-rays emitted by one of two radioisotopes. cobalt-60 or cesium-137 (the food irradiation process). Food irradiation has been around since the 1950s but has been used more widely in recent years. In Asia, more precisely in China, there are 3 large gamma irradiators which, in 2005, irradiated 140,000 tons of food, which represents a considerable increase compared to the 80,000 tons irradiated in 2001. And in India there are two demonstration facilities that use cobalt-60 for treatment. 30 tonnes per day and the remaining 10 tonnes per day, and although India mainly uses cobalt 60, girder plants are also in the pipeline. In the United States, there are 50 irradiation facilities on...... middle of paper ......• Irradiated fruit. Digital image. Chemistry at Duke. Internet. September 24, 2011. .• Irradiated foods. Digital image. Yellow Canary Alert. Internet. September 24, 2011. • Percentage of respondents before and after Info 1+2. Image online. Choices. Internet. October 8, 2011. • “Radioactive isotope”. Kids.Net.Au - Encyclopedia. Internet. September 21, 2011. .• Radura. Digital image. UW Food Irradiation Education Group. Internet. September 24, 2011. • “Uses of radioisotopes”. Help from Mr. Kent's Chemistry Regents. Internet. September 22. 2011. .