A New Jersey firm is challenging American assumptions about the limitations of microwave pasteurization and sterilization.
The leading supplier of those systems was Officine Meccaniche Attrezzature per Ceramiche (OMAC), established by engineer Giuseppe Ruozi to fabricate the multistage system he devised. The holder of four related U.S. patents, Ruozi devised a process that uses rapid heating by low power magnetrons for controlled cooking. Systems capable of processing up to 4,400 lbs. of food per hour were fabricated, but by 1995 OMAC was defunct. The technology intrigued officials at Classica Group, a New Jersey importer that formed Classica Microwave Technologies Inc. in 2000 and acquired OMAC's assets. The firm also retained the services of Ruozi as its chief technology officer and hired Joseph Riemer to serve as president and execute the business plan.