The invention provides a heat treatment system (1000) comprising a heat treatment apparatus (1) and a product transport system (200), wherein the heat treatment apparatus (1) comprises (i) a duct (100) having a duct axis (110), wherein the duct (100) is configured for holding a liquid (2), and (ii) an RF heating zone (5) comprising a main electrode (410) and a first counter electrode (420) configured for functionally connecting to an RF generator (400) to generate during operation a first electric field (490) in the duct (100) between the main electrode (410) and the first counter electrode (420) parallel to the duct axis (110); the product transport system (200) comprises an electric field guiding element (440) comprising an electrically conductive material (401), wherein the electric field guiding element is configured to be electrically insulated from the electrodes (410, 420) during transport through the duct (100); and the product transport system (200) is configured to transport a product (60) and the electric field guiding element (440) through the duct (100).

A preservation process of cooked pizza is provided. The preservation process includes rolling cooked pizza and exactly inserting rolled pizza in a hermetic container that is successively exposed to a pasteurization process.

A food processing system is provided with: a heating unit equipped with a heating mechanism for indirectly heating food; a cooling unit equipped with an air blowing cooler for cooling the food heated by the heating unit; and a conveyor for transferring the food through the heating unit and the cooling unit. The integrated food processing system allows a large amount of sterilized food having a good texture, good taste and long shelf life to be provided.

A food heating apparatus includes a main tank, a water exhaust tank, reserve tanks, communication chambers, heat insulating partition walls, a water exhaust tank and pressure exhaust pipes. The main tank stores water exceeding 100° C. The reserve tanks communicate with the main tank and imparts hydraulic head pressure to the water in the main tank. The communication chambers are respectively between the main tank and the reserve tank and have top plates higher than a top plate of the main tank. The heat insulating partition walls separate the main tank and each reserve tank and protrude into the front communication chamber. The water exhaust tank higher than the communication chambers has an upper surface higher than water surfaces of the reserve tanks. The pressure exhaust pipes have inlet openings in the top plates of the communication chambers and outlet openings within the water exhaust tank higher than the water surfaces.

The disclosure relates to methods for operating a pasteurizing device for pasteurizing foods filled into sealed containers. The foods are treated in treatment zones by applying a tempered, aqueous treatment liquid to an exterior of the containers. The treatment liquid is re-supplied to at least one treatment zone for reuse via circulation circuit pipes of a circulation circuit. At least one actual value of a concentration of at least one chemical substance contained in the treatment liquid and/or of at least one process chemical added and/or of at least one internal standard added is detected by means of at least one concentration measurement sensor at at least one measurement point. A concentration, in the treatment liquid, of the at least one contained chemical substance and/or of the at least one process chemical added is manipulated on the basis of a detected actual value.

Apparatus and method for pasteurizing food products and ready meals in hermetically sealed packages (22) by means of microwaves, comprising a microwave chamber (14); a lower conveyor belt (20) for the packages (22); an upper conveyor belt (18), extending substantially horizontally and vertically movable, and a microwave source (16) located below the lower conveyor belt (20), the microwave chamber (14) being under atmospheric ambient pressure. The apparatus comprises a cooling plate (10) in close contact with the upper conveyor belt (18) so that during microwave heating the top of the package (22) is cooled to below the condensation point of water vapor and overpressure in the package is avoided.

A system and method for cooking food in a valved pouch. In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes a vacuum sealer that vacuum seals uncooked food in the pouch; a cooker that heats the vacuum sealed pouch containing the uncooked food to cook the food; and a control that modulates a cooking temperature and a cooking time at which the cooker cooks the vacuum sealed pouch containing the uncooked food to selectively partially or completely cook the food in the vacuum sealed pouch. The cooking temperature and cooking time are selected such that the valve of the vacuum sealed pouch remains closed in the cooker throughout the cooking time. The valve is selected to open during subsequent retherming of the cooked food in the vacuum sealed pouch to allow steam and/or vapor to escape from the pouch to the ambient.

A system and method for cooking food in a valved pouch. In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes a vacuum sealer that vacuum seals uncooked food in the pouch; a cooker that heats the vacuum sealed pouch containing the uncooked food to cook the food; and a control that modulates a cooking temperature and a cooking time at which the cooker cooks the vacuum sealed pouch containing the uncooked food to selectively partially or completely cook the food in the vacuum sealed pouch. The cooking temperature and cooking time are selected such that the valve of the vacuum sealed pouch remains closed in the cooker throughout the cooking time. The valve is selected to open during subsequent retherming of the cooked food in the vacuum sealed pouch to allow steam and/or vapor to escape from the pouch to the ambient.

The invention is directed broadly to a method of preparing a texture modified food product for consumption by a dysphagic consumer, comprising the steps: (a) providing a cooked fish or meat; (b) comminuting the cooked fish or meat to form a paste; and (c) forming the paste into the texture modified food product shaped and textured to a generic serve of the fish or meat selected to form the paste.

The invention is directed broadly to a method of preparing a texture modified food product for consumption by a dysphagic consumer, comprising the steps: (a) providing a cooked fish or meat; (b) comminuting the cooked fish or meat to form a paste; and (c) forming the paste into the texture modified food product shaped and textured to a generic serve of the fish or meat selected to form the paste.