To provide a method for active flow regulation of fluid extrudate as it passes through one or more food product cooling channels in an extrudate cooling die.

In the method for regulating the flow of the fluid extrudate as it passes through one or more product cooling channels in the extrudate cooling die, the cooling die utilizes the flow of a coolant through one or more coolant flow channels, from a coolant inlet point to a coolant outlet point, and at least one of the coolant flow channels is located in thermal proximity to at least an associated one of the product cooling channels, to effect cooling of the extrudate from an extrudate inlet temperature to an extrudate outlet temperature. The extrudate flow rate is optimized and regulated as a function of the flow rate and temperature of the extrudate and the coolant from the temperature of the coolant outlet point.