Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for sterilizing a food product. The apparatus comprises an ionization unit for holding the food product, a housing enclosing the ionization unit, a bipolar ionization assembly and a pulse power energization assembly. The bipolar ionization assembly comprises a generator unit and at least one ionization tube for generating bipolar ionization within the ionization unit for sterilizing the food product. The pulse power energization assembly comprises at least one ultraviolet light energy source for generating pulsed energy and at least one ultraviolet light emitting unit for generating pulsed ultraviolet light within the ionization unit upon receiving the pulsed energy. The pulsed ultraviolet light is capable of irradiating the food product for sterilizing purposes.