Sparging device and method for adding a processing fluid to a foodstuff

A sparging device including:

• (a) an inlet chamber;
• (b) a number of sparger passages, each sparger passage extending from a respective passage inlet in communication with the inlet chamber to a respective passage outlet;
• (c) a first fluid chamber defining a first chamber area through which at least one respective sparger passage extends;
• (d) a first fluid communication device associated with each sparger passage extending through the first chamber area, the respective first fluid communication device enabling fluid communication between the first fluid chamber and an interior of the respective sparger passage;
• (e) a scraper plate adjacent to the inlet chamber, the scraper plate having a number of plate openings, each plate opening aligning with a different one of the sparger passages;
• and
• (f) a scraper blade mounted in the inlet chamber in position to scrape across plate openings of the scraper plate.