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 for reducing the incidence of Salmonella in harvested poultry comprising treating the poultry with an effective antimicrobial solution comprising a blend of lactic and citric acids in proportions containing a predominance of lactic acid from 50:30 wt./wt. to 75:5 wt./wt. lactic acid to citric acid; and the pH of the solution is less than about 3.2.

A method for reducing the incidence of Salmonella in harvested poultry comprising treating the poultry with an effective antimicrobial solution comprising a blend of lactic and citric acids in proportions containing a predominance of lactic acid from 50:30 wt./wt. to 75:5 wt./wt. lactic acid to citric acid; and the pH of the solution is less than about 3.2.

A food product is coated within an aqueous solution. The solution includes: at least one edible acid; and at least one osmotic agent, and wherein after the solution reaches equilibrium with the food product, the resultant pH of the solution is between about 1 and 4 and in some embodiments subsequently adjusted to between 3.5 and 5.5. The food product thus prepared remains deliciously palatable and safely edible for prolonged periods without refrigeration.

Microbicidal compositions including (a) monochloramine and (b) at least one peracid, are described. Components (a) and (b) can be present in a synergistically effective amount to control the growth of at least one microorganism. Methods for controlling the growth of microorganisms with the application of the monochloramine and at least one peracid are also disclosed.

Microbicidal compositions including (a) monochloramine and (b) at least one peracid, are described. Components (a) and (b) can be present in a synergistically effective amount to control the growth of at least one microorganism. Methods for controlling the growth of microorganisms with the application of the monochloramine and at least one peracid are also disclosed.

Rotating spray systems and related methods for enhancing spray performance can include one of more rotating spray assemblies formed of a plurality of individual, linear distribution manifolds to define a rotary cage. The rotary cage is fluidly coupled to a rotating distribution block on a distribution valve, with each linear distribution manifold being fluidly coupled to one of a plurality of distribution conduits defined in the rotating distribution block. The distribution valve further includes a fixed distribution block having an arcuate aperture defined therein. The rotating distribution block rotates relative to the fixed distribution block to individually and sequentially engage each distribution conduit with the arcuate aperture. When the individual distribution conduits are fluidly engaged with the arcuate aperture, pressurized fluid supplied to the distribution valve is supplied to the corresponding linear distribution manifold for spraying by one or more spray nozzles fluidly connected to each linear distribution manifold.

Process and an apparatus adapted to carry out the process steps for producing sausage products, which includes the following steps: Comminuting raw meat with fat, adding seasoning, salt and further additives, mixing in order to produce a raw sausage mass, forming the raw sausage mass, warming and fermenting the formed raw sausage mass, warming the formed fermented sausage mass to a temperature of approximately 57 C., and incubating at approximately 57 C. for germ reduction, immediately subsequently cooling the cooked fermented sausage mass to 1 C. or below with reduced pressure being applied, in order to produce a dried and cooled cooked sausage mass.

Compositions and methods for lowering counts of pathogenic microorganisms in food products such as ready to eat meat and poultry products are disclosed. In various embodiments, the compositions and methods comprise antimicrobial compositions with one or more essential oils added.