Demonstrating its ability to kill bacteria and dry nuts, the latest fluid-bed steam pasteurizer from Ventilex USA Inc. was highlighted at the opening of the company's new headquarters in West Chester, Ohio.

The unit, developed in the wake of the nut industry's salmonella outbreak, kills the bacteria and dries the nuts to the desired moisture level, maintaining appropriate steaming time and pressure without changing the nut's taste, appearance, shelf life or germination potential.

Ventilex, a specialist in drying-cooling-steam pasteurization, sells equipment for pasteurization, sterilization and decontamination of spices, herbs and nuts, an area in which it has more than 15 years experience.

The 50-year-old company manufactures fluid-bed dryers and coolers along with the associated filter and control systems for drying and cooling solids in the food, dairy, chemical and aggregate industries. The new facility is at 8106 Beckett Center Dr., West Chester, Ohio, 45069; (866) 265-6823; www.ventilex.net.