7 CFR § 58.922 - Thermal processing.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t7/s58.922"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "7 CFR § 58.922 - Thermal processing."
title_number: 7
title_name: "Agriculture"
section_number: "58.922"
section_name: "Thermal processing."
chapter_name: "AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (STANDARDS, INSPECTIONS, MARKETING PRACTICES), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE"
subchapter_number: "C"
subchapter_name: "REQUIREMENTS AND STANDARDS UNDER THE AGRICULTURAL MARKETING ACT OF 1946 AND THE EGG PRODUCTS INSPECTION ACT"
part_number: "58"
part_name: "GRADING AND INSPECTION, GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR APPROVED PLANTS AND STANDARDS FOR GRADES OF DAIRY PRODUCTS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "7 U.S.C. 1621-1627."
regulatory_source: "23 FR 9410, Dec. 5, 1958, unless otherwise noted. Redesignated at 42 FR 32514, June 27, 1977, and further redesignated at 46 FR 63203, Dec. 31, 1981."
cfr_part: "58"
---


# 58.922 Thermal processing.

The destruction of living organisms shall be performed in one of the following methods:

(a) The complete in-container method, by heating the container and contents to a range of 212 °F to 280 °F for a sufficient time;

(b) By a continuous flow process at or above 280 °F for at least 2 seconds, then packaged aseptically;

(c) The product is first processed according to methods as in paragraph (b) of this section, then packaged and given further heat treatment to complete the process.