An improved game washer is compatible with a variety of receptacles and includes one or more cradles for receiving and holding various types of game. Agitation for washing game is provided via one or more water flows at one or more outlets of an agitator. An outlet engages a bottom of a cradle to provide water flow at the cradle. The agitator extends out of an opening of a receptacle at a central portion thereof to receive a water supply, while forming a gap at the opening to permit a flow of water and waste material out of the receptacle.

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.

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.

An apparatus for cleaning game, vegetables, fruit, fish or crustacea in a container has a pipe with a first and second portion, and a connector connected to the pipe. The second portion extends generally transverse to the first portion. The second portion has a plurality of apertures formed through the wall thereof. The apertures direct the flow of water in a cyclonic path in the container. The connector is adapted to connect with a water hose or water conduit so as to introduce water into and through the pipe. The first portion of the pipe extends generally vertically and the second portion of the pipe extends generally horizontally.

An apparatus for cleaning game, vegetables, fruit, fish or crustacea in a container has a pipe with a first and second portion, and a connector connected to the pipe. The second portion extends generally transverse to the first portion. The second portion has a plurality of apertures formed through the wall thereof. The apertures direct the flow of water in a cyclonic path in the container. The connector is adapted to connect with a water hose or water conduit so as to introduce water into and through the pipe. The first portion of the pipe extends generally vertically and the second portion of the pipe extends generally horizontally.

A produce wash system, method, and short-term wash treatment are provided. For example, the produce wash system includes a produce line including a short-term wash device followed by a wash device, a short-term wash treatment that is applied by the short-term wash device to a product, wherein the short-term wash treatment is applied using a spray device that creates micrometer sized droplets, and wherein the short-term wash treatment remains on the product for a pretreatment time that lasts until the product reaches the wash device, and a wash treatment that is applied by the wash device to the product, wherein the wash treatment rinses the short-term wash treatment from the product defining the end of the pretreatment time. The pretreatment time is set at or below a damage threshold time beyond which the short-term wash treatment damages the product beyond a damage threshold.

A produce wash system, method, and short-term wash treatment are provided. For example, the produce wash system includes a produce line including a short-term wash device followed by a wash device, a short-term wash treatment that is applied by the short-term wash device to a product, wherein the short-term wash treatment is applied using a spray device that creates micrometer sized droplets, and wherein the short-term wash treatment remains on the product for a pretreatment time that lasts until the product reaches the wash device, and a wash treatment that is applied by the wash device to the product, wherein the wash treatment rinses the short-term wash treatment from the product defining the end of the pretreatment time. The pretreatment time is set at or below a damage threshold time beyond which the short-term wash treatment damages the product beyond a damage threshold.

A system for treating whole meat material and grinding whole meat material into ground meat product includes a microbial treatment station including a hopper into which whole meat material is deposited, a conveyor which conveys the whole meat material, and a microbial intervention apparatus configured to treat the whole meat material to substantially reduce an amount of microbes on an exterior surface of a whole meat material; a grinding station including a grinder downstream of the conveyor and operatively connected to the microbial treatment station, the grinder having a orifice plate through which the whole meat material passes and is ground into ground meat product and a cavity downstream of the orifice plate which receives the ground meat product and a microbial treatment apparatus in communication with the cavity and configured to treat the ground meat product to deter growth of microbes on the ground meat product.

A system for treating whole meat material and grinding whole meat material into ground meat product includes a microbial treatment station including a hopper into which whole meat material is deposited, a conveyor which conveys the whole meat material, and a microbial intervention apparatus configured to treat the whole meat material to substantially reduce an amount of microbes on an exterior surface of a whole meat material; a grinding station including a grinder downstream of the conveyor and operatively connected to the microbial treatment station, the grinder having a orifice plate through which the whole meat material passes and is ground into ground meat product and a cavity downstream of the orifice plate which receives the ground meat product and a microbial treatment apparatus in communication with the cavity and configured to treat the ground meat product to deter growth of microbes on the ground meat product.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an auger dip apparatus for the application of antimicrobial solution to raw food. Embodiments of the present disclosure may use an auger as a single moving part to move the food work pieces through the application area for antimicrobial solution. Embodiments of the present disclosure are simple with only one moving auger part to move the food pieces, and the bearing for the moving part, supporting the shaft of the auger, may be configured to be outside of the cabinet with the reservoir of the antimicrobial solution, so that the bearing is not in contact with the antimicrobial solution. This provides for less maintenance and downtime, particularly unscheduled downtime, than a system using more complicated exposed parts. The present disclosure also permits a more compact and lighter configuration for an assembled application unit.