Low aw foods were inoculated with Salmonella PT 30, E. coli O157:H7 and E. faecium. Inoculated foods were exposed to vacuum steam pasteurization. > 5 log reduction of pathogens on flaxseed and sunflower seeds at 75 °C > 5 log reduction of Salmonella on peppercorns at 75 °C and milled flaxseed at 85 °C E. faecium can be used as a surrogate for both Salmonella PT 30 and E. coli O157:H7.