Meat processing methods providing reduced contamination from microbial sources, improved tenderness of the resulting meat product, and enhanced processing efficiency by decreasing cost, water usage, wastewater output, time, and energy necessary for processing meat carcasses are disclosed. The methods utilize hot water spray of the carcass in addition to subzero chilling. The methods reduce bacterial population during meat production, including both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The hot water also cleans the carcass before exposure to the chilled water such that the chilled water can be used repeatedly.

A method for treating an animal carcass (3) after slaughtering, comprising: a) placing the carcass (3) into a chamber (2), and b) disinfecting the carcass (3) within the chamber (2) by maintaining an oxygen concentration within the chamber (2) above 20% and maintaining a temperature of the carcass (3) above 10° C. With the described method and use an animal carcass (3) can be disinfected particularly efficiently, in particular with respect to campylobacter bacteria. Therefore, the carcass (3) is subjected to an oxygen concentration above 20% and to a temperature above 10° C.

The patent discloses halophilic bacteria and a method for fermenting fish paste, belonging to the technical field of solid-state fermentation of aquatic products using microorganisms. Four kinds of screened halophilic bacteria were used as mixed starter culture to produce fish paste. The effects of the ratio of mixed starter culture, inoculation amount, fermentation temperature, fermentation time and salinity on fish paste were studied by determining physical and chemical indexes and performing sensory evaluation. The fish paste has the characteristics of high safety, low salinity, high flavor and nutrition value. This method of fish paste processing needs short fermentation time. The fermented products of fish paste with better flavor can be obtained by using the mixed starter culture.

The patent discloses halophilic bacteria and a method for fermenting fish paste, belonging to the technical field of solid-state fermentation of aquatic products using microorganisms. Four kinds of screened halophilic bacteria were used as mixed starter culture to produce fish paste. The effects of the ratio of mixed starter culture, inoculation amount, fermentation temperature, fermentation time and salinity on fish paste were studied by determining physical and chemical indexes and performing sensory evaluation. The fish paste has the characteristics of high safety, low salinity, high flavor and nutrition value. This method of fish paste processing needs short fermentation time. The fermented products of fish paste with better flavor can be obtained by using the mixed starter culture.

Methods of reducing surface microbial contamination of a poultry carcass comprising subjecting the poultry carcass which has previously been scalded and de-feathered to hot water of between 50 C. and 95 C. for between 1 second and 120 seconds; and related apparatus.

Methods of reducing surface microbial contamination of a poultry carcass comprising subjecting the poultry carcass which has previously been scalded and de-feathered to hot water of between 50 C. and 95 C. for between 1 second and 120 seconds; and related apparatus.

A process (10) is proposed for producing a precooked food product based on meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, pasta or a sauce. The process (10) comprises: providing (21-27) a packaging containing a food product in a volume insulated from the external environment; extracting (29) air from said volume such that a vacuum condition is created therein; maintaining (31) the packaging at a constant temperature of between 40 C. and 80 C. for a predetermined first time interval, subjecting (35) the packaging to a predetermined pressure of between 250 MPa and 600 MPa for a second time interval less than the first time interval, and bringing (33,37) the packaging to a predetermined temperature of between 0 C. and 4 C. at the end of the first time interval. Further proposed is a precooked food product obtained through the process, its use for the preparation of a gastronomic product and a kit for the preparation of a gastronomic product comprising the said precooked food product.

An apparatus for forming a meat patty includes heating a ground meat product to a temperature T1, wherein T1>32 F. The ground meat product is formed into an uncooked patty at temperature T1. The uncooked patty is precooked to form a precooked patty having a skin of depth D comprising denatured protein. The skin is formed on at least an area on the outside of the precooked patty. At least a first portion of the meat product disposed beneath said skin is at approximately T1. The precooked patty is cooked to form a cooked patty, wherein said at least a first portion of the meat product is at a temperature T2.

An apparatus for forming a meat patty includes heating a ground meat product to a temperature T1, wherein T1>32 F. The ground meat product is formed into an uncooked patty at temperature T1. The uncooked patty is precooked to form a precooked patty having a skin of depth D comprising denatured protein. The skin is formed on at least an area on the outside of the precooked patty. At least a first portion of the meat product disposed beneath said skin is at approximately T1. The precooked patty is cooked to form a cooked patty, wherein said at least a first portion of the meat product is at a temperature T2.

A digital pressure canner and related methods of operation that provide for improved safety and consistency during a food canning process by reducing temperature over and undershoot. The digital pressure canner includes a digital control operating with inputs from digital sensors to accurately control the canning temperature during the canning process. By reducing over and undershoot of canning temperatures, foods within the pressure canner are maintained at temperatures sufficient to kill any bacteria or microorganisms for the entire canning cycle. In order to verify operation of the digital canner at sufficient canning temperatures, mechanical safety devices, for example, a pressure relief valve can be utilized in conjunction with digital controllers and sensors to provide audible and visual feedback to a user during the canning process.