A method for the production of a stabilized packaged food product comprising the steps of: filling a tray with a predetermined quantity of a food starting material; introducing the tray into a pressure vessel and conveying the tray through the pressure vessel while performing the following steps in sequence inside the pressure vessel: (i) treating the food starting material with high-temperature pressurized steam to sterilize the material, and (ii) dosing the sterile food material inside said tray with a predetermined amount of sterile water; and (iii) applying a lid to the tray to seal the food product inside the tray while maintaining the tray in a sterile environment. Suitable food starting materials comprise starchy food products, such as rice, wheat or pasta, and/or meat or vegetable pieces. Also provided are an apparatus for performing the method and packaged stabilized full moisture food products obtainable by the process.

A method for the production of a stabilized packaged food product comprising the steps of: filling a tray with a predetermined quantity of a food starting material; introducing the tray into a pressure vessel and conveying the tray through the pressure vessel while performing the following steps in sequence inside the pressure vessel: (i) treating the food starting material with high-temperature pressurized steam to sterilize the material, and (ii) dosing the sterile food material inside said tray with a predetermined amount of sterile water; and (iii) applying a lid to the tray to seal the food product inside the tray while maintaining the tray in a sterile environment. Suitable food starting materials comprise starchy food products, such as rice, wheat or pasta, and/or meat or vegetable pieces. Also provided are an apparatus for performing the method and packaged stabilized full moisture food products obtainable by the process.

Carriers suitable for transporting a plurality of articles through a microwave heating zone are provided. Carriers as described herein may include an outer frame and upper and lower support structures vertically spaced from one another to provide a cargo volume into which the articles are loaded. At least a portion of the upper and/or lower support structures may be formed of an electrically conductive material. Additionally, the carrier may include removable article spacing members, such as vertical spacing members and dividers, that can be selectively inserted to adjust the size and/or shaper of the cargo volume. Carriers as described herein may be configured to receive a variety of different articles, including trays and pouches, and the articles may be loaded into the carrier in a nested or overlapping manner.

Embodiments herein relate to articles and methods for detecting heating patterns within model food compositions containing irreversible thermochromic ink, and for creating multi-dimensional temperature distribution profiles within a packaged model food composition. In an embodiment, a packaged model food composition for thermal testing is included. The packaged model food composition can include a package and a model food composition disposed in the package. The model food composition can include a model food material that shares processing characteristics with a target food material and 0.05 wt. % to 20 wt. % of one or more irreversible thermochromic inks. The irreversible thermochromic inks can exhibit a variable change in at least one color parameter in response to temperature change across a selected temperature range. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Embodiments herein relate to articles and methods for detecting heating patterns within model food compositions containing irreversible thermochromic ink, and for creating multi-dimensional temperature distribution profiles within a packaged model food composition. In an embodiment, a packaged model food composition for thermal testing is included. The packaged model food composition can include a package and a model food composition disposed in the package. The model food composition can include a model food material that shares processing characteristics with a target food material and 0.05 wt. % to 20 wt. % of one or more irreversible thermochromic inks. The irreversible thermochromic inks can exhibit a variable change in at least one color parameter in response to temperature change across a selected temperature range. Other embodiments are also included herein.

A microwave-heating system irradiates sealed packaged foods with microwaves to heat the packaged foods at 100 C. or higher for heat sterilization. The microwave-heating system includes a microwave generator to irradiate the packaged foods with microwaves of 2450 MHz in a multi-mode and a microwave generator to irradiate the packaged foods in a waveguide with microwaves of 915 MHz in a single-mode.

A microwave-heating system irradiates sealed packaged foods with microwaves to heat the packaged foods at 100 C. or higher for heat sterilization. The microwave-heating system includes a microwave generator to irradiate the packaged foods with microwaves of 2450 MHz in a multi-mode and a microwave generator to irradiate the packaged foods in a waveguide with microwaves of 915 MHz in a single-mode.

A system for the heat treatment of industrial quantities of food or pharmaceutical articles. The system includes an oblong enclosure that is sealed and can be pressurized and having a median longitudinal axis and an inlet for the injection of a heat transfer fluid, an inlet door for the insertion of articles, a support for the articles, which support can be arranged along the median longitudinal axis, such that the articles are placed inside a central space in the enclosure, a defined lateral space being provided between the enclosure and the central space. The enclosure includes an agitation means for agitating the heat transfer fluid, which means is arranged laterally in relation to the central space, in the lateral space located between the enclosure and the central space, to allow the circulation of the heat transfer fluid in a longitudinal direction parallel to the median longitudinal axis.

A system for the heat treatment of industrial quantities of food or pharmaceutical articles. The system includes an oblong enclosure that is sealed and can be pressurized and having a median longitudinal axis and an inlet for the injection of a heat transfer fluid, an inlet door for the insertion of articles, a support for the articles, which support can be arranged along the median longitudinal axis, such that the articles are placed inside a central space in the enclosure, a defined lateral space being provided between the enclosure and the central space. The enclosure includes an agitation means for agitating the heat transfer fluid, which means is arranged laterally in relation to the central space, in the lateral space located between the enclosure and the central space, to allow the circulation of the heat transfer fluid in a longitudinal direction parallel to the median longitudinal axis.

Carriers suitable for transporting a plurality of articles through a microwave heating zone are provided. Carriers as described herein may include an outer frame and upper and lower support structures vertically spaced from one another to provide a cargo volume into which the articles are loaded. At least a portion of the upper and/or lower support structures may be formed of an electrically conductive material. Additionally, the carrier may include removable article spacing members, such as vertical spacing members and dividers, that can be selectively inserted to adjust the size and/or shaper of the cargo volume. Carriers as described herein may be configured to receive a variety of different articles, including trays and pouches, and the articles may be loaded into the carrier in a nested or overlapping manner.