An apparatus and method for post-extrusion filling and closing of an extrudate includes a feeder arranged in relation to an extruded rope of material flowing from an extrusion die of an extruder, wherein the rope of material has an opening that can receive a filler material. The feeder deposits the filler material into the opening of the rope of material as the rope of material flows by the feeder. A former receives the rope of material after the feeder has deposited the filler material into the opening of the rope. The former shapes the rope of material and close a portion or all of the rope around at least a portion of the deposited filler material to retain the filler material within the rope. A cutter may axially cut the rope to form the opening. A finisher may cut the shaped rope into portions containing the deposited filler material.

Cold desserts incorporating gelatin-based (gummy) components are provided in this paper. In particular, stick-mounted cold desserts, edible-cone cold desserts, and container-served desserts with gelatin-based components are described. The gelatin-based components of these desserts are made from gelatin-based candy material that is specially-formulated for consumption at cold temperatures. The gelatin-based components may be used with other components of a cold dessert such as with flavored water ice, ice cream, sherbet, sorbet, and the like as described throughout this paper.

A method of applying a thin layer of a chocolate coating onto a frozen food product, in some instances a piece of pineapple, that is at temperatures below 0° C. in such a way that prevents discoloration and brittleness of the applied chocolate. In some instances, the chocolate coating is a white chocolate, and coconut inclusions and flavoring are incorporated directly into the chocolate coating.

A chewing gum component for use in a chewing gum composition is provided including a component body and a plurality of regions of at least one active ingredient encapsulated within an encapsulating material. The plurality of regions is disposed within said component body. Less than 15% of an average active concentration in said component body is in contact with an exterior surface of said component body.

Edible coatings comprising scalenohedral calcium carbonate particles are provided. The scalenohedral calcium carbonate particles can act as a white pigment to impart white color properties to the edible coatings, or to opacify edible coatings to act as a substrate to subsequent layers containing colors.

The present disclosure is directed to confectionery products, such as compressed mint tablets, that comprise menthol and eucalyptol. In certain embodiments, the menthol is encapsulated. The confectionery products deliver a strong initial cooling impact, and have extended storage stability in high humidity environments.

A coated particle may include a food particle coated by a carbohydrate. The coated particle may have an average particle size from about 10 m to about 250 m. The food particle may include a relatively bitter component (e.g., cocoa) and a protein component (e.g., whey protein, soy protein, rice protein, fava bean protein, and/or milk protein). A weight ratio of bitter component to protein component may be about 3 or greater. The food particle may also include a starch, such as rice starch. Additionally, the coated particle may have a surface area fraction of the carbohydrate that is greater than an average weight fraction of the carbohydrate. For example, the surface area fraction of the carbohydrate may be from about 30% to about 80%. In addition, the coated particle may have a substantially non-spherical and irregular shape. The coated particle may be prepared via a spray drying process.

The present invention relates to a sugar confectionery composition comprising an alcohol-containing phase and a sweet-containing phase, wherein the composition, when set, is in the form of a single-phase amorphous mass. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a sugar confectionery composition, comprising steps of: preparing an alcohol-containing phase at a first temperature; preparing a sweet-containing phase at a second temperature; incorporating one of the two phases into another to form a mixture; setting the mixture to form the composition; wherein, when set, the composition is in the form of a single-phase amorphous mass.

A multilayer microencapsulated lactic bacteria and bifidobacteria, preferably bacteria with probiotic activity, and the use thereof to prepare a food product, supplement product, medical device or pharmaceutical composition or water- and/or fruit-based beverage are described. A process for preparing multilayer microencapsulated lactic bacteria and bifidobacteria, preferably bacteria with probiotic activity is described. A food product is described selected from water, water- and/or fruit-based beverages, milk, fresh whole milk, partially skimmed milk, powdered milk, cheese, fresh cheese, aged cheese, grated cheese, butter, margarine, yogurt, cream, milk- and chocolate-based custards, custards for sweets, jams and oily suspensions having bacteria, preferably multilayer microencapsulated lactic bacteria and bifidobacteria with probiotic activity.

A multilayer microencapsulated lactic bacteria and bifidobacteria, preferably bacteria with probiotic activity, and the use thereof to prepare a food product, supplement product, medical device or pharmaceutical composition or water- and/or fruit-based beverage are described. A process for preparing multilayer microencapsulated lactic bacteria and bifidobacteria, preferably bacteria with probiotic activity is described. A food product is described selected from water, water- and/or fruit-based beverages, milk, fresh whole milk, partially skimmed milk, powdered milk, cheese, fresh cheese, aged cheese, grated cheese, butter, margarine, yogurt, cream, milk- and chocolate-based custards, custards for sweets, jams and oily suspensions having bacteria, preferably multilayer microencapsulated lactic bacteria and bifidobacteria with probiotic activity.