____________ is the complete destruction of all microorganisms, except some bacterial spores.

Commercial sterilization is the process that ensures the complete destruction of all pathogens and spoilage microorganisms in food products, with the exception of some bacterial spores that may survive the treatment. This method is widely used in the food industry, particularly for canned foods, to ensure safety while maintaining long shelf life. The goal of commercial sterilization is to eliminate enough microorganisms to prevent spoilage and reduce the risk of foodborne illness, which makes it a critical practice in food processing.

In contrast, pasteurization is a milder heat treatment that primarily aims to reduce the number of pathogenic microorganisms to safe levels, but it does not achieve the same level of sterilization as commercial sterilization. Irradiation involves exposing food to ionizing radiation to kill or inactivate microorganisms, parasites, and pests, but it does not guarantee the complete destruction of all harmful organisms or spores. Sterilization, in a more general sense, refers to the complete elimination of all microorganisms, including bacterial spores; however, in the context of food processing, commercial sterilization specifically addresses the needs and safety standards of preserved food products, which is why this is the best answer in the context of the question.