Systems and methods of treating meat are provided. An example process extends the storage longevity of a meat, and the quality of the stored meat, by infusing an absorbent pad with a sodium chlorite solution, placing meat to be stored on the absorbent pad, sealing the meat and the absorbent pad in a vacuum-packing bag to produce vacuum-packed meat, and placing the vacuum-packed meat in a refrigeration unit at a temperature around −1.5 degrees Celsius. Example systems automate the example process with apparatus components. The concentration of the sodium chlorite solution vacuum-packed with the meat on an absorbent pad is formulated to greatly increase the refrigerated storage life of the meat, over conventional preservation, at a specific temperature range between −1.7 to 0.0 degrees Celsius, while maintaining freshness qualities of the meat in taste and smell, and color.

Methods of sterilizing a temperature sensitive material, such as an acidified or non-acidified food product, pharmaceutical product or cosmetic product, are disclosed. The methods comprise freezing the temperature sensitive material to an initial temperature of less than or equal to −2° C. and then either (i) pressurizing the frozen temperature sensitive material to a first elevated pressure of at least 250 MPa for a predetermined first period of time of at least 3 minutes or (ii) pressurizing the frozen temperature sensitive material to a first elevated pressure of at least 250 MPa for a predetermined first period of time of at least 90 seconds, releasing the first elevated pressure for a predetermined pause period of time and then pressurizing the temperature sensitive material to a second elevated pressure of at least 250 MPa for a predetermined second period of time of at least 90 seconds.

A system and method for cooking food in a valved pouch. In an exemplary embodiment, the system includes a vacuum sealer that vacuum seals uncooked food in the pouch; a cooker that heats the vacuum sealed pouch containing the uncooked food to cook the food; and a control that modulates a cooking temperature and a cooking time at which the cooker cooks the vacuum sealed pouch containing the uncooked food to selectively partially or completely cook the food in the vacuum sealed pouch. The cooking temperature and cooking time are selected such that the valve of the vacuum sealed pouch remains closed in the cooker throughout the cooking time. The valve is selected to open during subsequent retherming of the cooked food in the vacuum sealed pouch to allow steam and/or vapor to escape from the pouch to the ambient.

Disclosed are methods and devices for reducing the number of pathogens in a liquid. The methods or devices uses one or more of pressure, pressure drop, increased temperature, rate of temperature increase, and inert gas to kill pathogens. In one embodiment, inert gas is dissolved into a liquid at a pressure greater than ambient pressure. The pressure is later rapidly reduced, which causes inert gas to be released from the liquid. This reduces the number of pathogens in the liquid. Other method steps or processes that do not utilize inert gas are also disclosed.

Embodiments herein relate to one or more methods comprising heating of a kava product; pressurizing the kava product, electrically pulsing the kava product, homogenizing the kava product or combinations thereof; cooling the kava product; wherein the method is configured to stabilize the kava product against microbiological decomposition or reduce microbial count in order to improve safety and extend shelf life under refrigeration and/or at ambient temperature.

Embodiments herein relate to one or more methods comprising heating of a kava product; pressurizing the kava product, electrically pulsing the kava product, homogenizing the kava product or combinations thereof; cooling the kava product; wherein the method is configured to stabilize the kava product against microbiological decomposition or reduce microbial count in order to improve safety and extend shelf life under refrigeration and/or at ambient temperature.

A method of making a food kit for on-demand preparation of fresh filled pasta having much the same properties as homemade fresh pasta includes making first components consisting of unit portions of single or double sheets of fresh pasta with a predetermined flat shape; cooling, vacuum packaging, high-pressure pasteurizing and refrigerating the pasteurized unit portion so as to maintain their structure and physical-rheological properties unaltered, and avoid pre-gelatinization of starches; and making second components consisting of pre-dosed pralines of filling, which later undergo pasteurization, packaging and possibly freezing. The first and second components are packaged and collected in a container for fresh or frozen storage, and are ready to be joined together in their present state or after thawing, for on-demand preparation of fresh filled pasta before cooking, thereby avoiding exchange of water, salts and other ingredients between the components.

A process for producing a composition from a biological source, which composition is preserved and, especially pathogen free and is storage stable, preferably at room temperature. Embodiments of the invention provide a process for producing a composition from eggs.

A process for producing a composition from a biological source, which composition is preserved and, especially pathogen free and is storage stable, preferably at room temperature. Embodiments of the invention provide a process for producing a composition from eggs.

A method and device to treat liquid to reduce the amount of microorganisms in the liquid to a preselected level and/or to mitigate the growth of microorganisms are disclosed. Utilizing the method or device, liquid product is sprayed into a cavity of a reactor using a nozzle that produces a flat spray to provide means for efficient heating and treatment of the liquid.