Cocoa powder as a natural ingredient revealing an enhancing effect to inactivate Cronobacter sakazakii cells treated by Pulsed Electric Fields in infant milk formula

► This research works with “hurdle” technology application to control Cronobacter sakazakii. ► Cocoa powder significantly increases levels of C. sakazakii inactivation by PEF. ► Pre- or post-treatment cocoa addition significantly affects the inactivation levels. ► Maximum inactivation levels were observed with 5% cocoa addition. ► The maximum inactivation level occurred when CCX was added 4 h after 15 kV/cm - 3000 μs.