Inventors:
Zhijun Weng - Fresno CA, US
Manuele Levati - Parma, IT
Jeff Dahl - Fresno CA, US
Kenneth Jones - Chicago IL, US
Glenna Matthews - Stockton CA, US
International Classification:
G01N033/02
Abstract:
A system () for aseptically sterilizing a heterogeneous food product () consisting of particulates in a liquid includes a heating section (), a holding section (), and a cooling section (). From the cooling section, the food product is routed to an aseptic holding tank () and/or an apparatus () to fill aseptic containers. The temperature profile of the food product is monitored during processing, especially when passing through the heating section () and the holding section (), thereby to make sure that the temperature meets scheduled temperatures pre-determined by mathematical modeling. If a significant deviation occurs between the actual temperature and the modeled temperature of the food product, the affected food product is not allowed to reach the aseptic holding tank or the aseptic filler apparatus, but instead is diverted to a holding tank located upstream of the heating section (), or to another location.