Pasteurization Tunnel Validation for Beverage Co-Packer

Our client is a provider of high-quality, innovative co-packing solutions for retailers, emerging beverage brands, private equity-backed companies, and global leaders in the beverage industry.  With locations in the northeast, south, and mid-west.

During routine sample testing of a client’s product the quality testing laboratory returned several positive samples for salmonella.  These results were believed to be “false” positives but still raised concern over the proper temperature uniformity of the client’s Pasteurization Tunnel.

TRANSCAT’s Validation team was tasked with completing a Temperature Uniformity Study (TUS) of the pasteurization tunnel. The work needed to be performed on short notice as the client had suspended all processing through this pasteurization tunnel due to the potential risk to the product and consumers.

TRANSCAT’s onsite engineer and support staff provided mapping data for the pasteurization tunnel.

Temperature Uniformity Study (TUS)

• • Required target temperature of 167°F 
  • Required duration of exposure to target temperature ≥ 10 minutes 
  • 7 Sensors placed inside sealed cans filled with water to simulate product 
  • Cans were placed across 7 lanes of the tunnel’s belt and processed through the pasteurization tunnel 
  • Results were presented in a Temperature Graph, Detailed Report (Raw Data), and a Summary Report (Statistical Data) 
  • Testing was performed in triplicate to ensure uniformity of readings and results. 
    

Key Project Details

Schedule:

• Completed Temperature Uniformity Study on short notice to minimize the client’s downtime and production delays.
• Verified pasteurization tunnel performance met customer requirements for pasteurization. (167°F for ≥ 10mins)
• Executed three uniformity studies to confirm compliance.

Electronic Delivery:

• Studies executed digitally using Transcat’s validated MadgeTech platform (21 CFR Part 11 compliant).
• Delivered Reports for each run performed electronically via PDF before leaving the client’s site.

Through successful completion of 3 runs, the pasteurization tunnel demonstrated to consistently achieve and maintain the required operating specifications. The client now has documented evidence that their pasteurization tunnel is meeting all process requirements.

About Transcat

Transcat has over 60 years of experience servicing some of America’s largest companies in highly regulated industries. Our experienced teams provide equipment and asset management solutions for high-cost-of-failure environments such as pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and other FDA-regulated organizations throughout the US, Canada, Ireland, Europe, and Asia Pacific.