[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 21, Volume 3]
[Revised as of April 1, 2001]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 21CFR179.39]

[Page 435-436]
 
                        TITLE 21--FOOD AND DRUGS
 
CHAPTER I--FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN 
                          SERVICES (CONTINUED)
 
PART 179--IRRADIATION IN THE PRODUCTION, PROCESSING AND HANDLING OF FOOD--Table of Contents
 
               Subpart B--Radiation and Radiation Sources
 
Sec. 179.39  Ultraviolet radiation for the processing and treatment of food.

    Ultraviolet radiation for the processing and treatment of food may 
be safely used under the following conditions:
    (a) The radiation sources consist of low pressure mercury lamps 
emitting 90 percent of the emission at a wavelength of 253.7 nanometers 
(2,537 Angstroms).
    (b) The ultraviolet radiation is used or intended for use as 
follows:

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             Irradiated food                              Limitations                            Use
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Food and food products...................  Without ozone production: high fat-       Surface microorganism
                                            content food irradiated in vacuum or in   control.
                                            an inert atmosphere; intensity of
                                            radiation, 1 W (of 2,537 A. radiation)
                                            per 5 to 10 ft.2.
Potable water............................  Without ozone production; coefficient of  Sterilization of water used
                                            absorption, 0.19 per cm or less; flow     in food production.
                                            rate, 100 gal/h per watt of 2,537 A.
                                            radiation; water depth, 1 cm or less;
                                            lamp-operating temperature, 36 to 46
                                            deg.C..
Juice products...........................  Turbulent flow through tubes with a       Reduction of human
                                            minimum Reynolds number of 2,200..        pathogens and other
                                                                                      microorganisms.
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[[Page 436]]


[42 FR 14635, Mar. 15, 1977, as amended at 65 FR 71057, Nov. 29, 2000]