Unitherm receives patent for pasteurization system
Unitherm Food Systems, Bristow, Okla., received U.S. Patent No. 9,215,892 B2 for its new system and method for pasteurizing the surface of a food product. The new machine uses a flame tube to remove the skin and outer layer of an onion before passing the onions through a cold bath to cool. The pasteurized and washed product is said to retain the same color and flavor of the original product, while increasing yield and reducing the risk of contamination. The patent was filed in August 2013 and approved on Dec. 22, 2015.
Traditionally, onions are processed using a top and tail cutter, which can introduce contamination and results in product loss of up to 30% by weight. Unitherm’s new flame pasteurization system solves these problems and has no impact on the product’s appearance or taste.