The cost to build a commercial food irradiation plant is in the range of US $3 million to $5 million, depending on its size, processing capacity, and other factors.This is within the range of plant costs for other food technologies.For example, a moderately-sized, ultra-high temperature plant for sterilizing milk, fruit juices, and other liquids costs about US $2 million. A small vapor-heat treatment plant for disinfestation of fruits costs about US $1 million.he Food irradiation process. The radiation used in processing materials is limited to radiation from high-energy gamma rays, X-rays and accelerated electrons.