IEH Academy

Ball Formula Calculation Method

Course details

Self-Paced eLearning

49.00

30 min

Mark Deniston

This course provides a practical overview of the Ball Formula Calculation Method used to determine thermal process time and lethality in low-acid canned foods. Participants review the underlying theory, key parameters, and application of the method, including interpretation of heat penetration data and calculation of heating and cooling factors. The course also examines the method’s advantages and limitations, as well as how it compares with other thermal process calculation approaches.

Benefits and Learning Objectives

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the theory behind the Ball Formula Calculation Method
  • Distinguish between the Ball Formula Method and the General Method
  • Identify the advantages and limitations of the Ball Formula Calculation Method
  • Apply the method when interpreting thermal processing data
Screenshot one for course on Ball Formula Calculations Method.
Screenshot of course before taking a quiz on knowledge test.

Who Should Attend?

  • Process authorities and process authority support staff
  • Food safety and quality professionals (low-acid canned foods)
  • Thermal process and retort operators
  • Manufacturing and process engineers
  • Technical and operations staff involved in thermal processing
  • HACCP coordinators and Preventive Controls Qualified Individuals (PCQIs)
  • Regulatory and compliance professionals
  • Product development and R&D personnel (shelf-stable foods)
  • Auditors and consultants reviewing thermal process calculations

Registration and Payment

To register for this course, please visit our training portal.

Professional headshot of Mark Deniston.

Meet the Instructor

Mark Deniston

Mark Deniston has worked with IEH since 2005. He earned his M.S. in Food Engineering from UC Davis and his B.S. from Cal Poly. He has published papers on heat transfer to foods with particles, heat transfer to food products heated in steam/air retorts, and hyperfiltration technology for protein recovery. Deniston also was co-author of a National Food Processors Association (NFPA) book on automated control system validation. Deniston has taught numerous workshops and courses such as the FDA Advanced Low Acid Canned Foods Workshops, NFPA and IEH Thermal Processing, Aseptic Processing and Process Deviation Workshops, and Better Process Control Schools.

At IEH, Deniston conducts evaluation studies on automated control systems, 21 CFR Part 11 electronic record keeping systems, retort systems, and aseptic processing and packaging systems. He also recommends LACF and acidified thermal processes and evaluates LACF and acidified thermal process deviations. Deniston has held a part-time UC Davis position for 39 years, and before working at IEH, he worked at the NFPA Western Research Laboratory for 19 years in thermal processing and environmental engineering.