The reductions in Pediococcus population sizes on almonds during infrared pasteurization are given as total reduction and stage reduction values in Table 3. The total reduction values in Pediococcus population sizes are the cumulative values at the end of each stage of infrared pasteurization process, such as heating, cooling or holding. The stage reduction value refers to the reduction of Pediococcus population size corresponding to the respective stage of treatment.