The present disclosure provides systems and methods for manufacturing food products. In a general embodiment a system for manufacturing a food product is provided and includes at least one heat exchanger at least one food product tank at least one steam source having a steam valve a computer having a computer processor and a computer readable medium accessible to the computer and containing a software program therein that is programmed to cause the computer processor to automatically control the steam valve to move from a first position to a second calculated position to maintain a temperature of a heating medium that is sufficient to maintain sterility of the food product during a recirculating water to food product transition in the heat exchanger. Methods for manufacturing food products are also provided.
