The continuous pasteurization system (100) that pasteurizes raw food products (104) while substantially maintaining the raw state of the raw food products includes a conveyor (102) on which the raw food products (104) are loaded for delivery to a pasteurization apparatus 36, wherein the raw food products are quickly heated so that the temperature of the outer surface of the raw food products is raised sufficiently to achieve a desired pathogen kill level. Thereafter, the raw food products (104) are immediately cooled in a cooling apparatus (110) to remove the heat applied to the raw food product and maintain the substantial raw state of the raw food product. A control system (24) is connected to a processor (30) as well as various measuring devices and instruments, including temperature measurement devices (T1-T5) to control the operation of the pasteurization system (100).
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