Meat Processor to Incorporate Electronic Pasteurization

April 8, 2001 — WICHITA, KS — A Kansas-based meat processor is hoping to make meat safer via electronic pasteurization.

Excel, the second-largest meat processor in North America, plans to incorporate the bacteria killing process into its packing plants in Nebraska and Texas by the end of the year, according to a report published in the Wichita Eagle.

While the technology is similar to irradiation, energy waves are used to kill bacteria rather than radioactive waves. Electronic pasteurization has been used on fruits, vegetables and frozen meat. However this will be the first time it is incorporated directly processing lines at packing plants.

The company recently signed an agreement with SureBeam Corp. which will engineer, manufacture and install electronic pasteurization systems in Excel’s plants. SureBeam has plants in Sioux City, Iowa and Hilo, Hawaii and has plans to build a third plant in California.

An Excel spokesman said while the plan represents a significant step forward, it does not replace other steps to improve food safety.

Excel processes about 7.5 billion pounds of meat a year.

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