Sterilizers and Pasteurizers – Guide to Continuous Food Sterilization Equipment

A sterilizer or pasteurizer is equipment used at the final stage of processing to control microorganisms on the surface and inside food, improving shelf life and food safety. Processing methods are broadly divided into batch and continuous conveyor types.

Difference between sterilization and pasteurization

Pasteurization is a treatment that kills or reduces harmful microorganisms such as food poisoning bacteria to secure safety, usually at 60–85°C. Sterilization is a stronger treatment that removes almost all microorganisms, including spores, enabling long-term storage at room temperature, and uses temperatures above 100°C, or about 121°C for retort processing. Even at the same temperature, a longer holding time increases sterilization strength, so temperature and time are designed together.

The key is not to leave food for long in the danger temperature zone, where bacteria multiply quickly, about 5–60°C. In seafood and food processing, sterilization equipment is used according to this principle at several points, including surface treatment of finished products, treatment before packaging, and final sterilization after drying or seasoning.

Principle of continuous conveyor sterilization

A continuous sterilizer moves raw materials on a heat-resistant stainless steel conveyor and sterilizes them at a consistent time and temperature. Compared with batch processing, it offers higher throughput and more uniform conditions. Sterilization effectiveness is judged not by the surface, but by whether the innermost part of the product reaches the target temperature and holds it for the required time.

Therefore, conveying speed (residence time) and heating-zone temperature are adjusted together according to the thickness and initial temperature of the raw material, and maintaining consistent conditions during long continuous operation is essential.

Benefits of introduction

Microbial control in the final processing stage extends product shelf life and improves food safety, helping reduce the risk of returns and complaints while expanding sales channels.

Jepid sterilization equipment includes a continuous model that sterilizes raw materials while conveying them on a stainless steel conveyor.