Apparatuses and methods for applying an antimicrobial agent to food products include methods and systems for limiting the escape of antimicrobial agent to the environment during antimicrobial treatment of the food product. In one embodiment, a series of cabinet panels moves in line with the passing food product and forms an enclosure around the food product by means of panels closing ahead of and behind the food product. In another embodiment, the direction and spray pattern of positively charged aerosolized antimicrobial particles is controlled by attracting the particles to preselected negatively charged regions within a treatment volume.

Methods for separating lean and fat from beef or other meats and the separation apparatus are disclosed. The methods use microbiocidal fluids to reduce or eliminate possible sources of contamination.

Methods for separating lean and fat from beef or other meats and the separation apparatus are disclosed. The methods use microbiocidal fluids to reduce or eliminate possible sources of contamination.

A produce wash system is provided. The produce wash system includes a produce line with 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 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 is provided. The produce wash system includes a produce line with 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 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 method of treating a meat-substance containing a bone structure. The bone marrow is coagulated with microwaves generated by a solid-state RF energy source. The microwave heating may be carried out prior to a heat treatment of the meat-substance and/or may be carried out after slaughtering and before the fresh slaughtered meat-substance is frozen.

An apparatus for cleaning crustacea or game has a container, a pipe positioned adjacent to a wall of the container, and a connector fluidically connected to the pipe adjacent a lower end of the pipe and having a portion extending outwardly of the wall of the container. The pipe has a plurality of apertures adapted to direct a flow of water toward a portion of the wall spaced from the pipe such that the flow of water creates a cyclonic path in the container. The pipe extends generally vertically adjacent to the wall of the container. The plurality of apertures are formed in spaced relation to each other along a length of the pipe. A drain is affixed through a wall of the container adjacent to the bottom of the container.

An apparatus for cleaning crustacea or game has a container, a pipe positioned adjacent to a wall of the container, and a connector fluidically connected to the pipe adjacent a lower end of the pipe and having a portion extending outwardly of the wall of the container. The pipe has a plurality of apertures adapted to direct a flow of water toward a portion of the wall spaced from the pipe such that the flow of water creates a cyclonic path in the container. The pipe extends generally vertically adjacent to the wall of the container. The plurality of apertures are formed in spaced relation to each other along a length of the pipe. A drain is affixed through a wall of the container adjacent to the bottom of the container.

A washing bucket has a container having an interior defined by wall and a bottom, a fluid inlet affixed to the wall of the container so as to communicate with the interior of the container in order to deliver a fluid into an interior of the container, and a connector affixed to the fluid inlet at an end exterior of the container. The fluid inlet is positioned adjacent to a bottom of the container. The connector is adapted to allow a hose or a conduit to be connected to the fluid inlet. A pipe is connected to the fluid inlet. The pipe has a plurality of apertures adapted to direct the fluid from the fluid inlet into the interior of the container. The pipe extends generally vertically upwardly from the fluid inlet.

A washing bucket has a container having an interior defined by wall and a bottom, a fluid inlet affixed to the wall of the container so as to communicate with the interior of the container in order to deliver a fluid into an interior of the container, and a connector affixed to the fluid inlet at an end exterior of the container. The fluid inlet is positioned adjacent to a bottom of the container. The connector is adapted to allow a hose or a conduit to be connected to the fluid inlet. A pipe is connected to the fluid inlet. The pipe has a plurality of apertures adapted to direct the fluid from the fluid inlet into the interior of the container. The pipe extends generally vertically upwardly from the fluid inlet.