Food processing and packaging systems and processes by which the food being processed and packaged is never exposed to oxidizing air throughout entire processing and packaging cycle. One or more processing chambers are provided by which juice extraction, cold sterilization/pasteurization, waste purging and packaging all occur in an oxygen-free environment maintained either by maintaining a vacuum or by positive pressure purging. The processing line can be configured to operate automatically or with robotic assistance, or manually through an air barrier, or can be operated by human labor provided with appropriate breathing apparatus.
