Abstract: An animal carcass pasteurization apparatus and process is provided. Carcasses are suspended from a movable gambrel and are conveyed through a housing containing a heated water distribution system. Preferably, the gambrel extends through the top of the housing in a scaled manner, excluding contaminants from outside of the housing. The distribution system comprises a plurality of distribution elements and means for supplying heated water thereto. The distribution elements preferably comprise overhead and lower arrays of nozzles. Each nozzle dispenses and directs a discrete and substantially continuous sheet of heated water to contact the carcass. The overhead array directs sheets of water downwardly onto the carcass, forming a layer of heated water which flows over the exterior contours of the carcass, for pasteurization of the upper and lateral surfaces of the carcass. The lower array directs heated water upwardly to contact and pasteurize the underside of the carcass.