Method for decontaminating bulk food and/or feed material

Method for decontaminating bulk food, said method comprising the following steps:

• pouring the bulk material into a rotary drier,
• increasing the temperature of the bulk material up to a predefined treatment temperature range while simultaneously rotating the bulk material,
• maintaining the temperature of the bulk material in the treatment temperature range during a treatment phase while simultaneously rotating the bulk material,
• decreasing the temperature of the bulk material to an exit temperature while simultaneously rotating the bulk material, and
• discharging the bulk material from the rotary drier,
• wherein:
• the increasing and maintaining of the temperature steps each involve a combination of simultaneously:
• (a) injecting water, water aerosol, or saturated steam within a light cone of at least one infrared emitter, and (b) adjusting an intensity of at least one infrared emitter;
• and
• the water, water aerosol, or saturated steam is injected via at least one of (a) a steam-carrying injection device installed within the light cone of the at least one infrared emitter, or (b) a water-spraying device installed in the light cone of the at least one infrared emitter.