IQF / CRYOGENIC FREEZING
Cold Processing
IQF / Cryogenic Freezing
PrerequisiteAlso: individually quick frozen · liquid nitrogen · liquid CO2 freezer
Freezing individual pieces with cryogenic gases (LN2 / liquid CO2) for sub-minute freeze times — used for berries, shrimp, prepared meals.
Typical Hazards
- BBiologicalPathogen survival
- CChemicalCryogenic-gas displacement of O2 — worker asphyxiation risk (operational, not food-safety)
- PPhysicalConveyor belt fragments
Typical Controls
- Belt speed / dwell time control
- Core-temp verification on representative units
- O2 monitoring in cryogen room
Regulatory Citations
1 cross-references across 1 documents
21 CFR Part 117