pasteurization: partial sterilization of foods at a temperature that destroys harmful microorganisms without major changes in the chemistry of the food
A process of heat treatment to kill bacteria and help to maintain low levels of bacteria within water or other liquids
{i} partial sterilization of milk or other fluid through exposure to high temperatures; process of heating liquid (especially milk) to a high temperature in order to destroy harmful bacteria without substantially changing the flavor or composition or nutritious value of the liquid (also pasteurization)
Heat-treatment of a perishable food to destroy heat-sensitive vegetative cells followed by immediate cooling to limit growth of the surviving cells and germination of spores