Processing Vessel Temperature Distribution Testing and
Development of Operating Guidelines Documentation

Another critical first step in process design for terminally sterilized packaged foods is that of testing the processing vessel(s) to assure that defined operating procedures will deliver the process sterilizing value. It is the responsibility of the process authority to test the operation of the vessel and to determine the procedures and conditions under which it must be operated to assure a uniform temperature throughout the container processing environment that is precisely controllable, and consistent with the temperature as indicated on the official temperature measuring device, and the temperature recording device, for the given container and container loading configuration.

Decades of work by investigators past and present have shown that there are many factors that can affect the ideal of uniform and consistent temperature distribution, and that is why so much attention is paid to this area of processing. FDA and USDA regulations that deal with the processing of low-acid foods also devote a lot of ink and review time to this subject. In fact, with some of the newer processing systems designed for the processing of semi-rigid and flexible containers, the regulatory expectation is that there will be extensive testing and validation work that is presented to them as evidence of acceptable temperature distribution. The team at IEH is highly qualified and very experienced in this discipline and we are ready to assist you if you have needs in this area.