Methods and related apparatus for improving the efficacy of antimicrobial agents within processing tanks. Processing tanks can include side streams for introducing antimicrobial agents into the processing tanks. The antimicrobial agents will be added and mixed in the side stream to form a processing solution. Additional actions can be conducted on the processing solution within the side stream including any and or all of heating, pumping, sampling, measuring, testing and pH adjustment of the processing solution. The processing solution is divided into at least two processing solution steams, which can be introduced at two different and distinct locations within the processing tank such as a carcass introduction end and a carcass removal end. By simultaneously introducing at least two processing solution streams at different locations of the processing tank, large concentration gradients of the antimicrobial agent are avoided.

A method for automated cleaning of an immersion tank (14) includes: substantially enclosing an interior volume (30) of the immersion tank (14); increasing the temperature and humidity in the interior volume (30) of the immersion tank (14); then applying cleaning solution to interior surfaces of the immersion tank (14); and rinsing the cleaning solution and soil off the interior surfaces of the immersion tank (14).

A method for processing an intact animal carcass comprises submerging a bled animal carcass in scalding water for at least 20 seconds to produce a scalded animal carcass, de-hairing the scalded animal carcass to produce a de-haired animal carcass, suspending the de-haired animal carcass, burning an epidermal layer of the de-haired animal carcass while suspended so that a majority of the epidermal layer is charred so as to produce a burnt animal carcass, pressure washing the burnt animal carcass to produce a pressure-washed animal carcass, eviscerating the pressure-washed animal carcass to produce an eviscerated animal carcass, internally washing the eviscerated animal carcass to produce an internally washed animal carcass, and chilling the internally washed animal carcass to a temperature of between 0 degrees Celsius and about 4 degrees Celsius to produce a chilled animal carcass.

Disclosed is a fast chilling method for improving beef tenderness, including the following steps: step 1, sample pretreatment: taking beef longissimus dorsi muscle after slaughter, removing surface fat and connective tissue, and vacuum packaging; step 2, rapid chilling: rapidly transferring the pre-treated sample completed in step 1 to a chilling equipment for chilling to a sample temperature of −3 degrees Celsius (° C.), where the chilling is completed within 5 hours (h) after slaughter; step 3, chilling and aging at super-chilled temperature: transferring the samples rapidly chilled in step 2 to a chilled warehouse, and continuing to chilling and aging until 24 h after slaughter; and step 4, chilling storage and aging: cutting the sample equally into 2.5 centimeters (cm) thickness 24 h after slaughter, and then completing a vacuum skin packaging and refrigerating for aging.

A method for processing an intact animal carcass comprises submerging a bled animal carcass in scalding water for at least 20 seconds to produce a scalded animal carcass, de-hairing the scalded animal carcass to produce a de-haired animal carcass, suspending the de-haired animal carcass, burning an epidermal layer of the de-haired animal carcass while suspended so that a majority of the epidermal layer is charred so as to produce a burnt animal carcass, pressure washing the burnt animal carcass to produce a pressure-washed animal carcass, eviscerating the pressure-washed animal carcass to produce an eviscerated animal carcass, internally washing the eviscerated animal carcass to produce an internally washed animal carcass, and chilling the internally washed animal carcass to a temperature of between 0 degrees Celsius and about 4 degrees Celsius to produce a chilled animal carcass.

A chiller bath includes a tank for holding a volume of chiller water; a dosing system for dosing a first solution and a second solution into the chiller water, arranged to create a plurality of zones within the volume of water, wherein each zone has a higher concentration of either the first or the second solution than surrounding portions of the volume of water; and a meat or poultry immersion arrangement for immersing and moving carcasses in the chiller water. A method for reducing bacterial load on meat or poultry includes generating a plurality of zones within a chiller bath containing water by dosing a source of alkalinity and antimicrobial into the water, wherein the plurality of zones comprises at least one alkaline zone with a pH above 8.5, and at least one antimicrobial zone with pH below 8.5; and submersing meat or poultry in the bath. The zones can also be generated using spray nozzles in a meat or poultry operation.

Disclosed is a fast chilling method for improving beef tenderness, including the following steps: step 1, sample pretreatment: taking beef longissimus dorsi muscle after slaughter, removing surface fat and connective tissue, and vacuum packaging; step 2, rapid chilling: rapidly transferring the pre-treated sample completed in step 1 to a chilling equipment for chilling to a sample temperature of −3 degrees Celsius (° C.), where the chilling is completed within 5 hours (h) after slaughter; step 3, chilling and aging at super-chilled temperature: transferring the samples rapidly chilled in step 2 to a chilled warehouse, and continuing to chilling and aging until 24 h after slaughter; and step 4, chilling storage and aging: cutting the sample equally into 2.5 centimeters (cm) thickness 24 h after slaughter, and then completing a vacuum skin packaging and refrigerating for aging.

The present invention relates to a method and a device for treating and/or transporting food items. The apparatus and method are designed to facilitate treating animals or food items in liquid. The device of the present invention is designed as a spiral shaped channel with one or more channels wound together around an axis. The apparatus of the present invention and the use thereof provides a method to heat or cool food items in a spiral shaped channel device.

A chiller bath includes a tank for holding a volume of chiller water; a dosing system for dosing a first solution and a second solution into the chiller water, arranged to create a plurality of zones within the volume of water, wherein each zone has a higher concentration of either the first or the second solution than surrounding portions of the volume of water; and a meat or poultry immersion arrangement for immersing and moving carcasses in the chiller water. A method for reducing bacterial load on meat or poultry includes generating a plurality of zones within a chiller bath containing water by dosing a source of alkalinity and antimicrobial into the water, wherein the plurality of zones comprises at least one alkaline zone with a pH above 8.5, and at least one antimicrobial zone with pH below 8.5; and submersing meat or poultry in the bath. The zones can also be generated using spray nozzles in a meat or poultry operation.

Probes for cooling meat include a hollow body having one or more openings and a hollow, pointed tip. The probes are inserted into the meat between the flesh and bone to create a space between the flesh and the bone. The heat stored within the bone may then be released through the hollow probe and into the environment. Some embodiments include a fan to increase air flow to the bone. Additionally, a carrying case for the probes is disclosed. The carrying case is hollow and includes an opening large enough to engage a probe, allowing the case to be used as a handle for easy insertion of the probe. Further, the carrying case can be mounted onto an archery bow and function as a stabilizer to reduce the gear a hunter must bring into the field.