An object of the present invention is to provide a simple measure which can suppress freshness deterioration of a myoglobin-containing food. The present invention relates to a myoglobin-containing food freshness deterioration suppressing material for suppressing freshness deterioration of a myoglobin-containing food, comprising: a substrate comprising a polymer; and an antioxidant with which at least a part of the surface of the substrate is covered, and/or an antioxidant supported in a layer forming at least a part of the surface of the substrate; wherein 0.01 g/m.sup.2 or more and 20 g/m.sup.2 or less of the antioxidant is included relative to the area of the part in which the antioxidant is present, of the surface of the substrate.

Provided is a microcapsule including a wax encapsulating an essential oil. As provided, the wax may be a naturally occurring wax having a melting point above 60 C., the microcapsule may comprises 5-25% by weight of the essential oil, the microcapsule may have an average diameter of 5-1000 microns, and the microcapsule may be a matrix type microcapsule in which the essential oil is distributed uniformly within the wax.

A dip tank and recycling system for applying antimicrobial solution to food items, including a dip tank having a bottom and sides, and holding a liquid antimicrobial solution. A conveyor to convey food items through the tank passes through the liquid antimicrobial solution held in the tank such that food items conveyed on the conveyor are dipped in the liquid antimicrobial solution. At least two discharge nozzles spray fresh antimicrobial solution into the tank. The discharge nozzles are located in the sides of the tank, and are positioned above the level of the conveyor but below an expected top level of the liquid antimicrobial solution contained within the tank such that food items conveyed on the conveyor are agitated by the force of the spray from the discharge nozzles. The spray from the discharge nozzles causes unstacking of items on the conveyor, producing an even application of the antimicrobial solution.

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.

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.

Described is a method of sanitizing animal carcasses using aqueous streams having an antimicrobial composition added to the stream. Preferably, the antimicrobial composition includes a mixture of one or more carboxylic acids having up to 18 carbon atoms and one or more peroxycarboxylic acids having up to 12 carbon atoms, preferably a mixture of a C.sub.2-C.sub.4 peroxycarboxylic acid and a C.sub.8-C.sub.12 peroxycarboxylic acid. Also described is a novel antimicrobial composition adapted for sanitizing animal carcasses containing a mixture of one or more C.sub.2-C.sub.4 peroxycarboxylic acids and one or more C.sub.8-C.sub.12 peroxycarboxylic acids and an alpha-hydroxy mono- or dicarboxylic acid.

Described is a method of sanitizing animal carcasses using aqueous streams having an antimicrobial composition added to the stream. Preferably, the antimicrobial composition includes a mixture of one or more carboxylic acids having up to 18 carbon atoms and one or more peroxycarboxylic acids having up to 12 carbon atoms, preferably a mixture of a C.sub.2-C.sub.4 peroxycarboxylic acid and a C.sub.8-C.sub.12 peroxycarboxylic acid. Also described is a novel antimicrobial composition adapted for sanitizing animal carcasses containing a mixture of one or more C.sub.2-C.sub.4 peroxycarboxylic acids and one or more C.sub.8-C.sub.12 peroxycarboxylic acids and an alpha-hydroxy mono- or dicarboxylic acid.

An object of the present invention is to provide a simple measure which can suppress freshness deterioration of a myoglobin-containing food. The present invention relates to a myoglobin-containing food freshness deterioration suppressing material for suppressing freshness deterioration of a myoglobin-containing food, comprising: a substrate comprising a polymer; and an antioxidant with which at least a part of the surface of the substrate is covered, and/or an antioxidant supported in a layer forming at least a part of the surface of the substrate; wherein 0.01 g/m.sup.2 or more and 20 g/m.sup.2 or less of the antioxidant is included relative to the area of the part in which the antioxidant is present, of the surface of the substrate.

Described is a method of sanitizing animal carcasses using aqueous streams having an antimicrobial composition added to the stream. Preferably, the antimicrobial composition includes a mixture of one or more carboxylic acids having up to 18 carbon atoms and one or more peroxycarboxylic acids having up to 12 carbon atoms, preferably a mixture of a C.sub.2-C.sub.4 peroxycarboxylic acid and a C.sub.8-C.sub.12 peroxycarboxylic acid. Also described is a novel antimicrobial composition adapted for sanitizing animal carcasses containing a mixture of one or more C.sub.2-C.sub.4 peroxycarboxylic acids and one or more C.sub.8-C.sub.12 peroxycarboxylic acids and an alpha-hydroxy mono- or dicarboxylic acid.

Described is a method of sanitizing animal carcasses using aqueous streams having an antimicrobial composition added to the stream. Preferably, the antimicrobial composition includes a mixture of one or more carboxylic acids having up to 18 carbon atoms and one or more peroxycarboxylic acids having up to 12 carbon atoms, preferably a mixture of a C.sub.2-C.sub.4 peroxycarboxylic acid and a C.sub.8-C.sub.12 peroxycarboxylic acid. Also described is a novel antimicrobial composition adapted for sanitizing animal carcasses containing a mixture of one or more C.sub.2-C.sub.4 peroxycarboxylic acids and one or more C.sub.8-C.sub.12 peroxycarboxylic acids and an alpha-hydroxy mono- or dicarboxylic acid.