Pasteurization is an absolutely critical stage for yogurt, milk, cheese and other dairy products so they can be sold, shipped and consumed. The process needs to heat up the dairy products at the correct temperature with shell and tube heat exchangers. One problem that many dairy and beverage processing facilities have is out-of-date heat exchangers.
This equipment is one of the most essential parts to successfully pasteurize yogurt and other dairy products. However, many people do not know that certain heat exchangers have to be used on specific products. There’s simply not a one-size-fits-all solution to heat exchangers and talking to a professional could get a food or beverage processing facility on track to ensure safe products.
Malfunction in pasteurization process and equipment
A major recall occurred recently after a Washington state creamery performed poor pasteurization processes that eventually led to a voluntary recall on one lot ofits whole milk yogurt, Food Safety News reported.
Flying Cow Creamery explained in a press release that the pasteurization process requires an adequate heat for milk products to eliminate harmful bacteria like Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella.
“The process of making yogurt at Flying Cow Creamery takes the milk beyond the required pasteurization time,” Flying Cow Creamery stated. “However, during the production of Batch 70, the time and temperature recorder malfunctioned leaving no record that the yogurt was properly pasteurized. As a precaution, Flying Cow Creamery is voluntarily recalling one batch of yogurt. They are not aware of any illness or complaints associated with the recalled yogurt.”
The products are commonly known to be in 32-ounce glass jars with a white lid with a white lid, Food Poisoning Bulletin reported. The “best before date” reads Dec. 3 on all the potentially affected products.
Some of the areas the yogurt was sold were in retail locations such as: Chehalis, Federal Way, Olympia, Rochester, Seattle and Tacoma. According to Food Safety News, the dairy company contacted all the retailers and informed them to remove the items from their shelves.
As of right now, there are no reports of sick consumers, but the company wants to get the information out as fast as possible and take all precautions, the source reported.
“If you have this product, you are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund or replacement,” Flying Cow Creamery said. “Consumers with questions may contact the company.”