In order to investigate the hygienic status of commercial red pepper powder, one sample was directly prepared from raw red pepper which was purchased at market and the other one was a commercial red pepper powder. They were used for the investigation upon the status of microbial contamination, effect of irradiation for sterilization and physicochemical changes during 3 months of storage. Total bacterial counts of commercial red pepper powders were 3.83 to $6.68{ imes}10^6$ per gram and coliform group was shown to be positive in some products. Total bacteria and coliform group were sterilized by the irradiation of 9 kGy and 3 kGy, respectively and no microorganisms were grown up until 3 months of storage at room temperature. The $D_{10}$ values of total viable bacteria in red pepper powders were 1.52 to 1.58 kGy. Chemical components such as moisture, total and reducing sugars were slightly decreased during the storage period. The contents of capsanthin and capsaicin were partly affected by the high dose irradiation but the difference between unirradiated and irradiated groups was diminished with the elapse of storage period.