The resilient pathogen can survive cold, heat to 165 degrees, and acidity, such as that in orange juice. In 1993, two people died and over 600 suffered E. coli poisoning after eating the fast-food chain's hamburgers. The E-beam wiped out the E. coli in the test burgers. A scanner directs the beam at food on a conveyor belt passing beneath it. Shielding surrounds the machine to protect workers.
Uniformity allows even distribution of the beam.
According to Unklesbay, frozen food does not lose texture, taste, or nutrients after a zapping. The Titan Corp. has just finished constructing the first commercial E-beam accelerator, the SureBeam, in Iowa. In December, the Department of Agriculture approved its use for pasteurizing meat products. Cargill, Emmpak, Huisken Meats, IBP, and Tyson Foods have entered into agreements with Titan to ship hamburger and poultry to Iowa to be treated at the giant facility beginning at the end of January. Some products may be on grocery shelves in a few months.