Which preservation method involves heating foods to mild temperatures temporarily?

The preservation method that involves heating foods to mild temperatures temporarily is pasteurization. This technique is designed to eliminate harmful bacteria and pathogens from food and beverages without significantly altering their taste or nutritional value. By heating the product to specific temperatures for a designated period, pasteurization effectively reduces the risk of foodborne illness while maintaining the quality of the food.

In contrast, ultra heat treatment involves much higher temperatures to achieve sterilization, which is not a temporary treatment but rather aimed at extending shelf life significantly. Freezing preserves food by halting bacterial growth but does not involve heating, and canning typically involves heating foods to a point where they are sealed in containers under vacuum to prevent spoilage, which is more extensive than the mild temperatures used in pasteurization.