Processors have several options for pasteurization, including high-pressure pasteurization (HPP), hot water, steam, hot air, infrared heat, radiofrequency and irradiation. Hot water, steam and HPP are the most popular, with HPP and hot water growing the fastest, says Wes Shilling, professor of food science at Mississippi State University in Mississippi State.
According to Research Report Insights (RRI), a greater adoption of high-pressure processing (HPP) solutions is a strong signal of a growing industry. Expectations for the sector’s growth are for an incremental dollar opportunity of $350.5 million during the report’s forecast period (2016-26).
When industry history books look back on the year 2017 for Butterball LLC, there's little doubt they will consider it one of the more challenging years on record for the Garner, N.C.-based turkey processor.
Leveraging post-processing pasteurization technologies and methodologies is vital if meat and poultry processors are to eradicate the threat of pathogens throughout the production cycle.
To reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses, it is crucial that meat and poultry processors focus on food safety throughout the operational cycle, and that includes the pivotal post-processing pasteurization stage.
For pasteurizing product, processors have a variety of options on the rise, but thermal processing remains entrenched as the proven option for many companies.
Although a slew of systems are taking shape and likely to become more active or launch in the coming years, thermal processing still is the dominant pasteurization method for enhancing food safety in meat and poultry.