Boned hams are canned in special molds
that will give the fi nal shape. Hams can
optionally be packaged in special plastic that
allows a better water retention (zero water
loss) and hygienic storage and distribution.
Cooking can be considered as pasteurization,
since internal temperature of the ham reaches
up to 72 ° C for 30 to 60 minutes. Cooking is
usually performed in hot - water baths. There
are two heat transfer mechanisms: convection
(heat transfer from the heating medium
to the ham surface) and conduction (heat
transfer mechanism from the ham surface to
the inner areas) (Guerrero - Legarreta 2006 ).