Irradiation

Irradiation is when something is exposed to a special kind of energy called radiation. This can be done for many different reasons, like to kill bad germs that can make us sick or to make food last longer so we can eat it later.

Now, imagine you have a basket of fruits and vegetables that you want to keep fresh for a long time. Usually, they would start to go bad pretty quickly because of all the tiny microbes living on them that you can't see. But if you expose them to radiation, it can kill those microbes and make the food stay good for longer.

Think of it like shining a super-powerful flashlight on the fruits and veggies. This light is so strong it can kill all the bad germs but won't harm the food itself.

It's important to note that this process is completely safe when done correctly - like wearing protective gear and making sure the right amount of radiation is used. So, next time you see something that's been "irradiated," remember it just means it was exposed to special energy to make it safer or last longer.