The invention relates to a method for enhancing the product quality and product safety of meat or foodstuffs of animal or vegetable origin by means of selective pressure and temperature treatment. According to the invention, fresh or warm meat of any form is packed in portions using a film container which has recoil abilities and therefore any liquid possibly escaping from the packed product distributes itself uniformly over the surface of the product. The packed portions are then placed in a container-like treatment device which has, mounted on the surfaces coming into contact with the product, a plurality of cushions, tubes or similarly elastic structures to which a pressure and temperature control medium may be applied. The cushions, tubes or similarly elastic structures are filled with the pressure and temperature control medium in such a manner that substantially uniform pressure forces act on the packed product and the packed product can be held in a predefined temperature range which is maintained for a predetermined period. On expiry of the predetermined period, the packed product is then rapidly cooled by exchanging the temperature control medium.
