A foodstuff disinfecting apparatus 400 comprises a tank 401 holding liquid for receiving microorganisms from foodstuffs 19. The tank has a barrier 403 defining an open channel 404 through which liquid flows, and a region 407 holding stationary liquid adjacent at least one ultrasonic transducer 409 for emitting ultrasonic energy through the stationary liquid and through the barrier 403 into the liquid in channel 404. Foodstuff 19 is conveyed by a conveyor 18 into, along, and out of the liquid flowing through the channel 404 such that the ultrasonic energy forces microorganisms off the foodstuff and into the flowing liquid. A flow provider may produce a velocity of liquid flow through the channel based upon, e.g. matching, the speed of the conveyor. Contaminated liquid from the channel is preferably recirculated via a reservoir (450, fig. 4A) which disinfects the liquid by heating and/or filtering. The foodstuff may be meat, e.g. chicken or beef. In another embodiment the ultrasonic transducers (4, fig. 1) are directly attached to and emit through the walls of an inner tank (1, fig. 1) defining the channel, provided within an outer tank (2, fig. 1) defining the reservoir.
