To promote the commercial application of food irradiation technique and give reference for food irradiation administration in China, the article reviewed the various aspects of food irradiation including the purpose of food irradiation, changes in food treated by ionizing radiation, advantage of food irradiation processing and the historical evolution of food irradiation technique. The application and administration of food irradiation in several major food-trading countries such as the USA., Canada, EU countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and China were introduced and the prospect of the development of irradiation techniqu was addressed. Worldwide experience indicates that food irradiation processing is a safe and economical new technique which can protect environment, decrease loss of foodstuff and ensure food safety effectively.