Method for decontamination and sterilization of food

A method for decontamination/sterilization of solid and semisolid food products comprising:

• a) providing a solid or semisolid food product having a liquid or liquefiable layer on the product surface;
• and
• b) irradiating at least a portion of the entire product surface with a gyrotron microwave beam having a power density of at least about 500 W per square cm, with the frequency of the beam selected to be sufficient for the beam penetration depth to be approximately equal to or less than the liquid or liquefiable material layer thickness, and with an irradiation time of no more than about 0.5 second to thereby remove the liquid or liquefiable layer on the product surface by explosive vaporization and eliminating or killing greater than 99% of bacteria, viruses, and parasites on the product surface while avoiding a negative impact on the product surface.