A method for deep vacuum packaging of a food product and a system for implementing this method. The food product and at least one additive are placed in a mixing device. The mixing device is evacuated and its contents are mixed to ensure a penetration of the additive(s) in the food product and to outgas the mixture until an absolute pressure is less than or equal to 30 mbar. The temperature of the food product is less than the boiling temperature of the liquid and the additives contained therein at a particular pressure. At least a portion of the mixture cold blanched is packaged in a tight container. The container is optionally pasteurised/sterilized in a short time by controlling the pressure and temperature conditions such that the container does not open or become crushed under the effect of a pressure difference between the inside of the container and the autoclave.

Rate of rancid flavor development in oil-based sauces and dressings can be slowed down by addition of a mixture containing sequestering agents for dissolved oxygen and heavy metal ions that are derived from vinegar and fruit juices. The types and proportions of the components of the mixture are chosen to promote a balance of flavor and color neutrality and adequacy of sequestering both heavy metal ions and dissolved oxygen. The mixture is effective in retarding development of rancid flavor moieties of hydroperoxides and hexanal, similar to a commonly-used chemical sequestrant, ethylene diamine tetra acetate (EDTA).

Rate of rancid flavor development in oil-based sauces and dressings can be slowed down by addition of a mixture containing sequestering agents for dissolved oxygen and heavy metal ions that are derived from vinegar and fruit juices. The types and proportions of the components of the mixture are chosen to promote a balance of flavor and color neutrality and adequacy of sequestering both heavy metal ions and dissolved oxygen. The mixture is effective in retarding development of rancid flavor moieties of hydroperoxides and hexanal, similar to a commonly-used chemical sequestrant, ethylene diamine tetra acetate (EDTA).

A freshness/degree of maturation evaluating device for evaluating freshness and/or degree of maturation of food animal, freshness/degree of maturation evaluating device provided with: temperature parameter calculation unit that calculates temperature parameter regarding storage time and temperature in arbitrary area inside food animal, parameter based on temperature in arbitrary area inside food animal, determined by storage time and unsteady heat conduction equation; rate constant parameter calculation unit that calculates rate constant parameter regarding sequential decomposition reactions of various ATP-associated compounds contained infood animal, parameter being set based on rate constants in food animal determined by using relation based on storage time of food animal and measured values of ATP-associated compound concentrations; ATP-associated compound concentration calculation unit that calculates ATP-associated compound concentrations by sequential decomposition reaction calculation model using temperature parameter and rate constant parameter; and freshness/degree of maturation evaluation unit that computes K value and/or FI value from ATP-associated compound concentrations.