Thermal Processing Retortable Plastic Containers with Metal Lids in Steam and Water with Comparisons to Metal Cans

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Abstract
Comparative heating studies were conducted for three products in 211 × 214 retortable plastic containers with double‐seamed metal lids and in similar sized 211 × 300 metal cans. Plastic cans heated slower than metal cans in both steam and water. Orientation of the metal lid (up or down) influenced heating and the location of the slowest‐heating zone. For corn in brine heated in steam, F o values for the heating portion of the process were 6.5, 4.2, and 5.0 using the metal can, and the plastic cans oriented with lid up and lid down, respectively. Similar differences were obtained for cans of water and a conduction‐heating product. The heating medium and headspace in the container only slightly influenced the F o value delivered by the thermal process.