In the mission era the primary products were wheat, corn and other products grown in the mission fields, fruit (primarily in the south) and products made from cattle and sheep. The most lucrative product was a dried cattle hide, called Yankee Dollars.
In addition, irradiation is widely used to sterilize a variety of medical and household products, such as joint implants, band-aids, baby pacifiers, cosmetic ingredients, wine and bottle corks, and food packaging materials.o. Irradiation is equivalent to pasteurization for solid foods, but it is not the same as sterilization. Food irradiation can be an important tool in the war against illness and death from foodborne diseases. But it is not a substitute for comprehensive food safety programs throughout the food distribution system.
Food irradiation (the application of ionizing radiation to food) is a technology that improves the safety and extends the shelf life of foods by reducing or eliminating microorganisms and insects.Like pasteurizing milk and canning fruits and vegetables, irradiation can make food safer for the consumer.The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for regulating the sources of radiation that are used to irradiate food. Preservation â irradiation can be used to destroy or inactivate organisms that cause spoilage and decomposition and extend the shelf life of foods. 2  Control of Insects â irradiation can be used to destroy insects in or on tropical fruits imported into the United States.