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.

The present invention relates to the field of biotechnology, more specifically the field of food biotechnology: the control of bacterial contamination in ready-to-eat foods by a bacteriophage composition.

The present invention relates to the field of biotechnology, more specifically the field of food biotechnology: the control of bacterial contamination in ready-to-eat foods by a bacteriophage composition.

The present invention relates to microbial safety of meat products. In particular new additives are provided for effective reduction of pathogenic bacteria, such as Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC), on or in meat products. The present inventors found that a combination of a nonionic surfactant and organic acid is particularly effective in the reduction of these and other pathogenic bacteria in meat products. The addition of a thickening agent was found to further enhance the effectiveness of the compositions in eliminating these pathogenic bacteria. The present invention provides these meat preservation compositions, the methods of treating meat with these compositions, the related uses of these compositions, as well as the meat products accordingly obtained.

A method of processing is disclosed that provides improved water retention and enhanced coloring and flavor, while preserving the meat and preventing bacterial contamination. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes: (a) providing a body of meat at a first temperature; (b) contacting the body of meat of step (a), in at least one treating vessel, with a brine solution at a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is greater than the first temperature, and wherein the brine solution comprises a vinegar-derived food additive and/or a reddening agent, wherein the reddening agent comprises nitrite; (c) agitating the body of meat at the second temperature for a time sufficient to distribute the solution throughout the body of meat; (d) cooling the body of meat in at least one cooling vessel to a third temperature, wherein the third temperature is less than the second temperature; (e) agitating the body of meat at the third temperature; (f) contacting the body of meat of step (e) with the brine solution at the third temperature and agitating the body of meat at the third temperature until the brine solution is substantially absorbed by the body of meat; and (g) recovering the body of meat in a dry state at the third temperature.

In one embodiment, the aforementioned brine solution comprises a vinegar-variety food additive, such as a vinegar-derived acetate composition. In another embodiment, the reddening agent comprises nitrate derived from plant material comprising nitrate.

A method of processing is disclosed that provides improved water retention and enhanced coloring and flavor, while preserving the meat and preventing bacterial contamination. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes: (a) providing a body of meat at a first temperature; (b) contacting the body of meat of step (a), in at least one treating vessel, with a brine solution at a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is greater than the first temperature, and wherein the brine solution comprises a vinegar-derived food additive and/or a reddening agent, wherein the reddening agent comprises nitrite; (c) agitating the body of meat at the second temperature for a time sufficient to distribute the solution throughout the body of meat; (d) cooling the body of meat in at least one cooling vessel to a third temperature, wherein the third temperature is less than the second temperature; (e) agitating the body of meat at the third temperature; (f) contacting the body of meat of step (e) with the brine solution at the third temperature and agitating the body of meat at the third temperature until the brine solution is substantially absorbed by the body of meat; and (g) recovering the body of meat in a dry state at the third temperature.

In one embodiment, the aforementioned brine solution comprises a vinegar-variety food additive, such as a vinegar-derived acetate composition. In another embodiment, the reddening agent comprises nitrate derived from plant material comprising nitrate.

A method of washing a food product with a short-term, intense treatment solution. One example method generally includes: applying, using a short-term wash device, a short-term wash treatment solution to the food product; and applying, using a wash device coupled to the short-term wash device, a wash treatment to the food product such that the wash treatment rinses the short-term wash treatment solution from the food product, wherein: the short-term wash treatment solution is applied to the food product for a shorter duration than the wash treatment is applied to the food product; the short-term wash treatment solution is chemically different from the wash treatment; and the short-term wash treatment solution comprises an acidulant and a polyol.

A method of washing a food product with a short-term, intense treatment solution. One example method generally includes: applying, using a short-term wash device, a short-term wash treatment solution to the food product; and applying, using a wash device coupled to the short-term wash device, a wash treatment to the food product such that the wash treatment rinses the short-term wash treatment solution from the food product, wherein: the short-term wash treatment solution is applied to the food product for a shorter duration than the wash treatment is applied to the food product; the short-term wash treatment solution is chemically different from the wash treatment; and the short-term wash treatment solution comprises an acidulant and a polyol.

The present invention relates to microbial safety of meat products. In particular new additives are provided for effective reduction of pathogenic bacteria, such as Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC), on or in meat products. The present inventors found that a combination of a nonionic surfactant and organic acid is particularly effective in the reduction of these and other pathogenic bacteria in meat products. The addition of a thickening agent was found to further enhance the effectiveness of the compositions in eliminating these pathogenic bacteria. The present invention provides these meat preservation compositions, the methods of treating meat with these compositions, the related uses of these compositions, as well as the meat products accordingly obtained.

The present invention relates to microbial safety of meat products. In particular new additives are provided for effective reduction of pathogenic bacteria, such as Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC), on or in meat products. The present inventors found that a combination of a nonionic surfactant and organic acid is particularly effective in the reduction of these and other pathogenic bacteria in meat products. The addition of a thickening agent was found to further enhance the effectiveness of the compositions in eliminating these pathogenic bacteria. The present invention provides these meat preservation compositions, the methods of treating meat with these compositions, the related uses of these compositions, as well as the meat products accordingly obtained.