Black pepper is grown on small family farms and dried directly in the sun by the growers. Sun drying effectively prevents contamination by combustion products from flue gases (PAH, anthraquinones), but since sun drying takes place in the open air, there is a risk of salmonella contamination. Also in view of the salmonella risk, sun drying is the method of choice, as the microbiological load can be efficiently reduced by sterilisation. The risk of salmonella contamination of black pepper has been known for several years. Tema Proces- Steam Sterilisation equipment has been developed and implemented to ensure effective sterilization before exporting the pepper. Pepper sterilizers sizes are available from 2 – 3,5 T/h.
