Cold pasteurization

This solution was shared by PRE-LAUNCH RESEARCH TEAM , 14 May 2021

Print date: 14 April 2024 10:23

Description of the innovative solution

Enzymes Packaging Preservation 3D printing Desert agriculture Food design Perishable food Cold chain

Processing of perishable foods to reduce food waste and maintain food quality is a major challenge. Through an effective process of eliminating bacteria, cold pasteurization is an innovation that proposes to both extend shelf life and ensure nutritional quality of perishable food. Cold pasteurization technologies like high pressure processing (HPP), pulsed electrical fields (PEF), plasma membraine processing, mild heat treatments (UV light) and irradiation could be used for preservation of food products. These technologies aim for a lower heat load, in comparison with standard sterilisation processes, and inactivate micro-organisms without compromising the product quality. Cold pasteurization techniques would allow higher quality food to be preserved longer than conventional methods, reaching people in far-reaching remote areas with limited cold infrastructure.

Primary users

Food processors
Foodtech companies
Packaging companies
Meat-packing industry
Distribution centers
Wholesalers
Exporters
Food safety & quality assurance agencies

Dietary impact

The ability to preserve food nutritional quality using cold pasteurization methods can potentially eliminate the need for storage refrigerators needed to transfer food in long distances. This way, nutritious food can last longer and go further distance with less cost, increasing food availablity and food quality, supplying more people with nutritious food, especially those in far-reaching areas.

Planetary impact

The traditional process of using large-scale freezers to preserve food quality harms the environment. In general, most refrigerators use chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) which depletes the ozone layer and warms up the planet. This innovation has the potential to reduce the energy consumption of conventional pasteurization by more than 90%. Cold pasteurization techniques, such as high-pressure processing, are arguably a more efficient way to deactivate food-borne microorganisms as it uses a non-thermal process.

Equity impact

Food insecurity and higher CO2 emmissions are large issues impacting low-income and vulnerable communities around the world. One of the underlying causes of this problem is an inefficient supply chain. Cold pasteurization techniques would allow food to be preserved longer than conventional methods, reaching people in far-reaching remote areas. Through this process, communities with limited cold infrastructure would have access to higher quality, nutritionally dense produce.

Main concerns

High initial costs of set up of cold pasteurization techniques as part of processing activities are expensive, especially for smaller producers. Although this process is very efficient to deactivate most microorganisms, it cannot effectively be used to deactivate all potential food-borne pathogens.

Supply chain segment

Processing and packaging

Maturity level

Mainstream

Criteria

Food quality Food safety

SDG target

SDG 2: Zero Hunger SDG 10: Reduced Inequality

Context

Urban Peri-urban Rural

Examples and additional resources

Real-world examples

See this solution in action in different contexts and settings around the world

Thyssenkrupp

Business information

Thyssenkrupp is a manufacturing company producing high pressure processing machines used in many countries including South Africa.

South Africa

thyssenkrupp-industrial-solutions.com/en/products-and-services/high-pressure-technologies/high-pressure-pla...

Shared by PRE-LAUNCH RESEARCH TEAM

Lyras: cold pasteurization solutions

Business information

Lyras provides a new revolutionary and cost-efficient cold pasteurization technology for the liquid food processing industry, which reduces energy consumption, achieves excellent product quality and cuts operational costs overnight.

Denmark worldwide

lyras.dk

Shared by IFSS Portal Research Team

Comrade dairy and food enterprises

Business information

Comrade Dairy is a milk value adding venture bulking and processing farmers milk into high quality nutrient dense yoghurt and sour milk. Milk and dairy products contributes immensely to human nutrition thus improving its access would improve food and nutritional security of its consumers.

Kenya

facebook.com/Comrade...6956546/

Shared by IFSS Portal Research Team

Additional resources

Learn more about this solution through studies, articles, business cases, and other information

High-pressure processing gaining popularity in beverages

News article, popular press or blog post

High-pressure processing is being used to preserve cold-pressed juice for up to 30 days and it remains to be a more popular alternative to the traditional thermal-based pasteurization method

foodbusinessnews.net/art...ages

Shared by PRE-LAUNCH RESEARCH TEAM

Contacts

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Breadcrumb

Cold pasteurization

Description of the innovative solution

Supply chain segment

Maturity level

Criteria

SDG target

Context

Examples and additional resources

Real-world examples

Thyssenkrupp

Lyras: cold pasteurization solutions

Comrade dairy and food enterprises

Additional resources

High-pressure processing gaining popularity in beverages

Contacts