A system and method for treating a food product to reduce the level of pathogens and/or enhance the food product generally comprises a conveying mechanism having a conveyor apparatus to convey raw food product placed in product compartments, a modular treatment unit that receives the product in the compartments, a treating apparatus that directs treated air to the food product and a controller for controlling the operation of the system. The system also has an input apparatus for placing the food product in the compartments, a by-pass apparatus for diverting untreated food product and a mechanism for discharging treated food products for further processing and/or packaging. The small product compartments provide for more efficient and effective treatment of food products, the system is substantially self-cleaning and the modular treatment units allow the user to easily and less expensively upgrade or modify the system for different food products and treatment processes.
