Anti-microbial injection for web packaging pasteurization system

摘要

Systems and methods for antimicrobial injection in a web packaging pasteurization system are provided. A pressurized mixture of pasteurizing medium (40) and at least one microbial agent (S) is applied to the surfaces of a food product. According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one anti-microbial agent (S) is injected into and thereby mixed with the pressurized supply of pasteurizing steam prior to its discharge into a pressurized chamber (70) and application to the food (P) surfaces. Preferably, the mixture is introduced into the pressurized chamber (70) at an inflow rate and vented from the chamber at an outflow rate that is slower than the inflow rate such that the pressure in the chamber increases to increase the temperature of the mixture to an effective temperature for killing bacteria.