Final answer:
Cold pasteurization is another name for irradiation used in food processing, which uses ionizing radiation to destroy microbes and insects in food without negative short-term effects on humans.
Step-by-step explanation:
Another name for irradiation, particularly when referred to in the context of food processing, is A. Cold pasteurization. This process includes using ionizing radiation such as gamma rays, which are a form of high-energy radiation that can penetrate surfaces and effectively sterilize packaged food by damaging the cell membranes and DNA of insects and bacteria. The most common sources for this kind of radiation are cobalt-60 or cesium-137. Ionizing radiation used in food treatment is considered safe for humans, as the food does not become radioactive, and irradiated foods have not shown negative short-term effects on human health. However, the long-term effects are still not completely understood.