The Nation - News from Oct. 12, 1988

A pioneer of food irradiation technology was sentenced in Newark, N.J., to two years in prison for ordering employees to violate federal safety regulations and for lying to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. U.S. District Judge Maryanne Trump Barry allowed Martin Welt, founder of Radiation Technology Inc. of Denville, N.J., to remain free pending appeal. Welt left his company two years ago. Testimony that led to Welt’s June conviction showed he bypassed features that shielded workers from radioactive Cobalt 60. The judge sentenced former executives William Jouris and Thomas Powell to three years’ probation for guilty pleas to lesser charges. The company was fined $100,000. The firm uses low-level radiation to sterilize medical supplies and preserve spices.