The present invention relates to a particulate food preservative composition comprising at least 60 wt. % of preservation granules having a diameter in the range of 150-1800 μm, wherein the preservation granules are compacted agglomerates of: a. particles containing at least 90 wt. % of the chloride salt and b. particles containing at least 70 wt. % of the alkali metal salt of organic acid, said preservation granules comprising (i) at least 20 wt. % of chloride salt selected from sodium chloride, potassium chloride, magnesium chloride and combinations thereof; and (ii) at least 20 wt. % of an alkali metal salt of an organic acid selected from acetic acid, lactic acid, propionic acid and combinations thereof; the combination of the chloride salt and the alkali metal salt of an organic acid constituting at least 80 wt. % of the dry matter that is contained in the preservation granules.

The preservative composition of the present invention can be used to preserve fresh foods, such as fish, meat and vegetables and is particularly effective against micro-organisms having a high salt tolerance (halotolerant), such as Listeria monocytogenes.

A system and related methods for monitoring and dosing peroxycarboxylic acids, particularly peracetic acid, in food processing applications based upon desired concentration of the processing solution. The concentration of the peroxycarboxylic acid measured and additional peroxycarboxylic acid being added to the processing solution if the measured concentration is below a threshold level of the desired concentration, and additional water being added to the processing solution if the measured concentration is above a threshold level of the desired concentration. The system and related methods capable of being used in utilized with either live stream or static, storage tank based systems, to keep the concentration of peroxycarboxylic acid at or near desired concentration levels while experiencing less variation than experienced with conventional flow-based or hand-mixed systems.

A system and related methods for monitoring and dosing peroxycarboxylic acids, particularly peracetic acid, in food processing applications based upon desired concentration of the processing solution. The concentration of the peroxycarboxylic acid measured and additional peroxycarboxylic acid being added to the processing solution if the measured concentration is below a threshold level of the desired concentration, and additional water being added to the processing solution if the measured concentration is above a threshold level of the desired concentration. The system and related methods capable of being used in utilized with either live stream or static, storage tank based systems, to keep the concentration of peroxycarboxylic acid at or near desired concentration levels while experiencing less variation than experienced with conventional flow-based or hand-mixed systems.

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.

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.

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.

Disclosed are methods for killing or reducing the incidence of pathogenic bacteria, comprising contacting the bacteria with a PURAC CL 21/80 solution (1-2.5% by weight) comprising lactic acid in an amount ranging from about 0.43% to 1.23% by weight and citric acid in an amount ranging from about 0.29% to about 0.88% by weight. In some aspects, the pathogenic bacteria can be present on a meat product.

Disclosed are methods for killing or reducing the incidence of pathogenic bacteria, comprising contacting the bacteria with a PURAC CL 21/80 solution (1-2.5% by weight) comprising lactic acid in an amount ranging from about 0.43% to 1.23% by weight and citric acid in an amount ranging from about 0.29% to about 0.88% by weight. In some aspects, the pathogenic bacteria can be present on a meat product.

Disclosed is a method for disinfecting a meat product by placing the meat in a contacting chamber and directly contacting the meat with gaseous ozone for a time interval sufficient to substantially reduce pathogens on the meat. In certain aspects, the time interval is from about 3 seconds to about 30 seconds. In further aspects, the time interval is from about 5 seconds to about 15 seconds. In yet further aspects, the time interval is about 5 seconds. In certain implementations, the gaseous ozone is introduced into the chamber at about 10 liters per minute. In further implementations, the gaseous ozone is from about 6% to about 8% ozone.