Abstract: An ultraviolet (I/V) sterilization system for food cartons is disclosed. An elongated UV lamp is mounted in a housing. A parabolic cylinder reflector is mounted in the housing with the focus of the reflector coinciding with the axis of the arc in the UV lamp. The shape of the parabolic reflector directs radiation from the lamp into cartons positioned on a conveyor below the lamp. The axis of the arc is parallel to the direction of movement of the cartons on the conveyor. The front surface of the reflector also absorbs heat from the lamp and heat is removed from the reflector by circulating air over the back surface of the reflector.