

Typical Pasteurization PU Values for Beer and Juice Products

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Pasteurization values can vary depending on points of measurement in the package and if the PU's are considered to begin accumulation at 120 or 125 degrees F. Under pasteurizing fails to neutralize yeast and flavor changing enzymes, over pasteurizing tends to degrade flavor and nutrients in the product.

All forms of pasteurization are considered compromise between "boiling" (considered sterilization) and no treatment. In addition to pasteurization consideration should be given to the discharge temperature of the package when considering a new or used pasteurizer.

UltraLight Lagers are considered to have been filtered to below the 2 micron level which removes larger particles (including yeast) from the product.

Pasteurizers should achieve three main objectives:
  1. The process of pasteurization
  2. Achieve a discharge temperature suitable for downstream operations
  3. Provide a consistent treatment to all products such that equal flavor properties are achieved across all production


Thursday, July 9, 2009



1. The flash unit will recirculate product





Consumption of Flash Pasteurized Products During Pregnancy

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

We receive inquiries from pregnant mothers who have written in attempting to understand if the products (mostly juices and ciders) marked "flash pasteurized" are fit for their consumption.

The difference between "Pasteurization" and "Flash Pasteurization" is straight forward and something all of us can understand. A product that is "pasteurized" has been pasteurized in the bottle after it has been filled. This indicates that both the product and the container were pasteurized together, and is the safest form of pasteurization.

"Flash Pasteurized" products were pasteurized in the pipe prior to filling. This indicates that the juice was pasteurized prior to being put into the bottle and having the cap applied. For information on pasteurization and eggs or pasteurization and raw milk - click here.

If you have a favorite juice which is "flash pasteurized" it is likely fine. You are trusting that the bottle and cap were clean and the required precautions were taken.If you are not comfortable with that answer, stick to products which are marked "Pasteurized". In particular, as we have toured the plant, Martinelli's Juice is tunnel pasteurized after filling.

If the juice is in a carton, it was likely filled aseptically (in a sterile clean environment) and the risk is relatively low that that the package was allowed to pick-up any contaminants. For other topics related to pasteurization and pregnancy, there is a link to a resource center on the FDA website below.

Link To FDA Website

Pasteurizer Energy Consumption - Direct Steam Injection Machinery and Condensate Recovery

Friday, July 3, 2009


  1. It's new water and effluent cost that can be avoided
  2. It's already been treated with boiler chemicals
  3. (Most importantly) it has heat.
