Pasteurization unit and methods of using the same

A pasteurization unit for pasteurizing a product, comprising:

• a first chamber having an interior volume defined by a plurality of walls and having a product inlet for introduction of product into the interior volume and a product outlet for release of the product from the first chamber;
• a vapor generator in fluid communication with the first chamber for introduction of vapor into the first chamber for pasteurization of the product;
• the product inlet and the product outlet being sealable during pasteurization;
• a second chamber having an interior volume defined by a plurality of walls and comprising a product outlet and a product inlet, the second chamber being arranged to receive product from the first chamber for cooling the product;
• cryogenic fluid inlets in fluid communication with a cryogenic fluid source, the cryogenic fluid inlets being arranged to direct cryogenic fluid into the interior volume of the second chamber to cool the product as it enters and/or once in the interior volume of the second chamber;
• a middle assembly arranged between the first and second chamber, the middle assembly having one or more actuatable doors configured to expose the product outlet of the first chamber and the product inlet of the second chamber when open and close over the product outlet of the first chamber and the product inlet of the second chamber when closed.