Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to systems and methods for thermally processing packaged food products with highly-uniform electromagnetic energy fields. In an embodiment, a method of thermally processing a packaged food product is included herein. The method can include placing the packaged food product in a heating chamber, the packaged food product comprising a hermetically sealed package and a food material disposed within the package. The method can further include applying electromagnetic energy to the packaged food product from a first electromagnetic energy source from a first direction. The electromagnetic energy can be sufficient to raise the temperature of the food material by at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit with a spatial temperature variation of less than 25 degrees Fahrenheit in less than 120 seconds. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: A process for enzymatically treating a plant, such as a fruit, vegetable, or other plant parts (e.g., leaves, stems, roots, tubers, etc.), is disclosed. The process of the invention combines enzyme treatment of the plant with filtration to obtain a permeate and a retentate.