Types of pasteurization

For the past 150 years, the pasteurization method has saved millions of lives by inactivating bacteria within easily corruptible foods, thereby preserving them for longer periods. To pasteurize means to heat every particle of a product to one of the temperatures given in the following chart continuously at or above that temperature for at least the corresponding specified time:

Temperature Time Pasteurization Type
63ºC (145ºF)* 30 minutes Vat Pasteurization
72ºC (161ºF)* 15 seconds High temperature short time Pasteurization (HTST)
89ºC (191ºF) 1.0 second Higher-Heat Shorter Time (HHST)
90ºC (194ºF) 0.5 seconds Higher-Heat Shorter Time (HHST)
94ºC (201ºF) 0.1 seconds Higher-Heat Shorter Time (HHST)
96ºC (204ºF) 0.05 seconds Higher-Heat Shorter Time (HHST)
100ºC (212ºF) 0.01seconds Higher-Heat Shorter Time (HHST)
138ºC (280ºF) 2.0 seconds Ultra Pasteurization (UP)

Source: IDFA – International Dairy Foods Association.

*If the fat content of the milk product is 10% or more, or if it contains added sweeteners, or if it is concentrated (condensed), the specified temperature shall be increased by 3ºC (5ºF).