Pulsed light may be safely used for treatment of foods under the following conditions:

(a) The radiation sources consist of xenon flashlamps designed to emit broadband radiation consisting of wavelengths covering the range of 200 to 1,100 nanometers (nm), and operated so that the pulse duration is no longer than 2 milliseconds (msec);

(b) The treatment is used for surface microorganism control;

(c) Foods treated with pulsed light shall receive the minimum treatment reasonably required to accomplish the intended technical effect; and

(d) The total cumulative treatment shall not exceed 12.0 Joules/square centimeter (J/cm2.)

[61 FR 42383, Aug. 15, 1996]