The present invention is a composition that can form an edible film or an edible liquid coating that can be applied to the surface of fresh fish (fillets or cuts) or fresh seafood. The present invention acts as a physical barrier preventing oxygen, water and microorganisms from entering the food product, and also acts as a bacteriostatic and antioxidant agent.

The present invention is a composition that can form an edible film or an edible liquid coating that can be applied to the surface of fresh fish (fillets or cuts) or fresh seafood. The present invention acts as a physical barrier preventing oxygen, water and microorganisms from entering the food product, and also acts as a bacteriostatic and antioxidant agent.

The present invention relates to novel synergistic compositions comprising known “clean-label” antimicrobial substances as well as processes for stabilizing food substances against typical food borne spoilage microorganisms and/or pathogens. It is a further object of the invention to provide novel combinations of “clean-label” antimicrobials which may be employed in such a process.

A food-grade, all-natural cold storage anti-bacterial filter is disclosed. The filter may control moisture, gaseous contaminates, mold, and bacteria within a cold storage unit; improve food safety; and improve the life of cold storage equipment. Reduced food spoilage, reduced energy usage, and increased cold storage shelf life may result from use of the filter. The filter includes a mixture of effective amounts of a base mineral, hygroscopic plant botanicals, and anti-bacterial plant botanicals, wherein the mixture is disposed in an FDA-approved food grade material.

A method of processing is disclosed that provides improved water retention and enhanced coloring and flavor, while preserving the meat and preventing bacterial contamination. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes: (a) providing a body of meat at a first temperature; (b) contacting the body of meat of step (a), in at least one treating vessel, with a brine solution at a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is greater than the first temperature, and wherein the brine solution comprises a vinegar-derived food additive and/or a reddening agent, wherein the reddening agent comprises nitrite; (c) agitating the body of meat at the second temperature for a time sufficient to distribute the solution throughout the body of meat; (d) cooling the body of meat in at least one cooling vessel to a third temperature, wherein the third temperature is less than the second temperature; (e) agitating the body of meat at the third temperature; (f) contacting the body of meat of step (e) with the brine solution at the third temperature and agitating the body of meat at the third temperature until the brine solution is substantially absorbed by the body of meat; and (g) recovering the body of meat in a dry state at the third temperature.

In one embodiment, the aforementioned brine solution comprises a vinegar-variety food additive, such as a vinegar-derived acetate composition. In another embodiment, the reddening agent comprises nitrate derived from plant material comprising nitrate.

A method of processing is disclosed that provides improved water retention and enhanced coloring and flavor, while preserving the meat and preventing bacterial contamination. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes: (a) providing a body of meat at a first temperature; (b) contacting the body of meat of step (a), in at least one treating vessel, with a brine solution at a second temperature, wherein the second temperature is greater than the first temperature, and wherein the brine solution comprises a vinegar-derived food additive and/or a reddening agent, wherein the reddening agent comprises nitrite; (c) agitating the body of meat at the second temperature for a time sufficient to distribute the solution throughout the body of meat; (d) cooling the body of meat in at least one cooling vessel to a third temperature, wherein the third temperature is less than the second temperature; (e) agitating the body of meat at the third temperature; (f) contacting the body of meat of step (e) with the brine solution at the third temperature and agitating the body of meat at the third temperature until the brine solution is substantially absorbed by the body of meat; and (g) recovering the body of meat in a dry state at the third temperature.

In one embodiment, the aforementioned brine solution comprises a vinegar-variety food additive, such as a vinegar-derived acetate composition. In another embodiment, the reddening agent comprises nitrate derived from plant material comprising nitrate.

The present invention relates to a method of reducing the concentration of Gram-negative bacteria in a food product, the method comprising adding a red wine extract produced from red wine by dealcoholization, concentration and drying, and a culture comprising at least one class IIa bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacterial strain to a food product, ripening the food product, and storing the food product at a temperature of at the most 15 C. until a concentration less than 1 E-1 of Gram-negative bacteria. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, Gram-negative bacteria already present are eliminated. In one embodiment of the invention, the Gram-negative bacteria are Salmonella ssp. The bacteriocin-producing culture may comprise at least one of Lactobacillus curvatus (DSM 18775) and Pediococcus acidilactici (DSM 28307). The invention further relates to a kit for reducing the concentration of Gram-negative bacteria in a food product comprising a red wine extract produced from red wine by dealcoholization, concentration and drying, and a culture comprising at least one class IIa bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacterial strain.

The present invention relates to a method of reducing the concentration of Gram-negative bacteria in a food product, the method comprising adding a red wine extract produced from red wine by dealcoholization, concentration and drying, and a culture comprising at least one class IIa bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacterial strain to a food product, ripening the food product, and storing the food product at a temperature of at the most 15 C. until a concentration less than 1 E-1 of Gram-negative bacteria. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, Gram-negative bacteria already present are eliminated. In one embodiment of the invention, the Gram-negative bacteria are Salmonella ssp. The bacteriocin-producing culture may comprise at least one of Lactobacillus curvatus (DSM 18775) and Pediococcus acidilactici (DSM 28307). The invention further relates to a kit for reducing the concentration of Gram-negative bacteria in a food product comprising a red wine extract produced from red wine by dealcoholization, concentration and drying, and a culture comprising at least one class IIa bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacterial strain.

The present invention relates to compositions with antioxidant properties, in particular for use in food or as food. In a first aspect the invention provides a composition comprising ginger powder, sage powder, and rosemary powder; wherein the particles of the ginger powder have a size of less than 800 m, and the sage powder and rosemary powder have a size of less than 500 m; and wherein the ginger powder (G), the sage powder (S), and the rosemary powder (R) are present in a weight ratio of G:S:R=1 to 4:1 to 3:1 to 3.

The invention also relates to a method for improving the oxidative stability of a food composition and to use of a combination of ginger powder, sage powder, and rosemary powder as an antioxidant, wherein the particles of the ginger powder have a size of less than 800 m, and the sage powder and rosemary powder have a size of less than 500 m; and wherein the ginger powder (G), the sage powder (S), and the rosemary powder (R) are present in a weight ratio of G:S:R=1 to 4:1 to 3:1 to 3.

The present invention relates to compositions with antioxidant properties, in particular for use in food or as food. In a first aspect the invention provides a composition comprising ginger powder, sage powder, and rosemary powder; wherein the particles of the ginger powder have a size of less than 800 m, and the sage powder and rosemary powder have a size of less than 500 m; and wherein the ginger powder (G), the sage powder (S), and the rosemary powder (R) are present in a weight ratio of G:S:R=1 to 4:1 to 3:1 to 3.

The invention also relates to a method for improving the oxidative stability of a food composition and to use of a combination of ginger powder, sage powder, and rosemary powder as an antioxidant, wherein the particles of the ginger powder have a size of less than 800 m, and the sage powder and rosemary powder have a size of less than 500 m; and wherein the ginger powder (G), the sage powder (S), and the rosemary powder (R) are present in a weight ratio of G:S:R=1 to 4:1 to 3:1 to 3.