This publication includes the results of a Coordinated Research Project and presents data on the effects of ionizing radiation as a preservation method in more than 40 different types of produce and against a variety of pathogenic bacteria. The results show that irradiation proved to be an excellent process to improve the hygienic conditions and safety of fresh, pre-cut fruits and vegetables and other minimally processed food of plant origin. The doses applied for these purposes also extended the shelf-life of most of the produce studied.