Abstract: Electron beam irradiation technology, as a kind of green high-tech of the food industry, has been paid more attention in the food quality and safety control field recently. Based on study and development of food irradiation at home and abroad, its principle, technical characteristics, device, and application in the field of food preservation, including sterilize, insecticide, sprout inhibition, delay of maturation and degradation of residues, have been reviewed in this paper. Furthermore, its impact on food quality, the problems in the application, and development trends and prospects in the food industry have been especially outlined.