915 Labs Commercializes WSU’s Patented Microwave Technology

915 Labs Commercializes WSU’s Patented Microwave Technology
In the October issue of Food Technology magazine (pp. 63–65), contributing editor Tara McHugh underreported the progress of the microwave food processing technology developed at Washington State University (WSU). WSU’s Microwave Assisted Thermal Sterilization (MATS) technology is the first in-package microwave sterilization process to be accepted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (in 2009) and has since received FDA acceptances and a letter of non-objection from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service for additional MATS processes.

915 Labs licensed WSU’s technology in 2014 and is manufacturing and selling MATS and Microwave Assisted Pasteurization (MAPS) systems and packaging solutions around the world.

MATS and MAPS are novel, patented food processing technologies that offer a healthier way to sterilize and pasteurize foods and beverages. As Dr. McHugh reported, microwave processing allows food to retain micronutrients and eliminates the need for excess sodium and artificial additives, including flavor and texture enhancers. Pilot-scale systems that perform both sterilization and pasteurization are now operating not only at WSU, but also at a major American food company and at two comanufacturers, AmeriQual and Wornick Foods. The company has also sold systems in Australia, India, Singapore, and South Korea.

The Australian government plans to use its pilot-scale MATS system to develop new and improved ration packs for its military and to make the system available to food companies for product development and experimentation. Professor Roger Stanley, director of the Centre for Food Innovation at the University of Tasmania, said he believes microwave food processing can revolutionize the quality of packaged food because the technology offers the ability to deliver food that is much closer to fresh.

In the United States, food companies have been working with MATS systems developing new recipes and products with foods that have never been successfully retorted, such as pasta and sauces, rice and grains, eggs, smoothies, and baby food.

At 915 Labs, we believe the novel microwave technology developed through a collaboration of academia, government, and industry will transform the packaged food industry by enabling food companies to produce clean label, higher quality foods and beverages, adding value to agricultural exports and improving military rations.

—David A. Behringer,
Chief Technology Officer, 915 Labs