Question

A pasteurization process operates to ________reductions of the target organism.

(a) 12 log

(b) 9 log

(c) 6 log

(d) 3 log

I got this question during an internship interview.

My question is from Heat Transfer Applications in chapter Heat Transfer Applications of Food Processing Unit Operations

Answer 1

Correct choice is (d) 3 log

The explanation is: A pasteurization process usually operates to 6 log reductions of the target organism. The sterilized foods have to achieve at least 12 log reductions in case of Clostridium botulinum spores. The pasteurization has lower log reductions because of the reduced risks linked with the target microbial species when associated with the botulinum toxin.