A heating medium injector includes an injector structure defining a heating medium flow path and a product flow path. The heating medium flow path extends to a contact location, while the product flow path also extends to the contact location. The contact location comprises a location at which the heating medium flow path and product flow path merge within the injector. In a region along the product flow path, the product flow path is defined between a first flow surface and a second flow surface. The first flow surface comprises a surface of a boundary wall separating the heating medium flow path from the product flow path and the second flow surface comprises a surface of an opposing second boundary wall. The second flow surface is in substantial thermal communication with a second flow surface cooling structure.

A system includes a vacuum chamber, a vacuum source, and a mixture flow path adapted to be connected to receive the output of a direct steam injector. The vacuum source is operatively connected to a vacuum port of the vacuum chamber, while a product outlet port from the vacuum chamber is adapted to be connected to an arrangement for removing treated product from the vacuum chamber. The mixture flow path includes a flow path segment outside of the vacuum chamber volume and a flow path segment within the vacuum chamber volume. At least some of a surface defining the flow path segment within the vacuum chamber is in substantial thermal communication with one or more cooling structures.

A method for pasteurizing freeze dried food comprises: 1) Determining the corresponding sterilization temperature according to the food to be sterilized, and determining the target water activity at the sterilization temperature; 2) Cooling the food to a temperature corresponding to the type of the food; 3) Removing the air from the sterilization chamber using a vacuum pump; 4) Introducing water vapor into the sterilization chamber, adjusting the steam flow rate after the food temperature reaches the sterilization temperature, and maintaining the food temperature at the sterilization temperature for a specific duration and ceasing the introduction of water vapor; 5) Capturing steam from the sterilization chamber and reducing the pressure in the chamber; 6) After the pressure in the chamber reaches or approaches the water saturation pressure corresponding to the cooling temperature prior to sterilization, charging clean air into the chamber until the vacuum state is released, and removing the food.

A process for producing a protein product for addition to raw meat wherein the source of the protein product is animal muscle or mechanically deboned meat. The animal muscle tissue is homogenized. Protein in the homogenate is solubilized. Solubilized homogenate is heated to a temperature required for pasteurization and/or sterilization according to known standards. The homogenate is then optionally adjusted to a value at which the protein precipitates. The protein product of the present invention is free of bacteria and toxins and can be used as meat or added to raw meat for delivery to a consumer as uncooked meat.

A heating medium injector includes an injector structure defining a heating medium flow path and a product flow path. The heating medium flow path extends to a contact location along an axis of the injector, while the product flow path also extends to the contact location along the injector axis. The contact location comprises a location at which the heating medium flow path and product flow path merge within the injector. In a region along the injector axis, the product flow path is defined between a first flow surface and a second flow surface. The first flow surface comprises a surface of a boundary wall separating the heating medium flow path from the product flow path and the second flow surface comprises a surface of an opposing second boundary wall. The second flow surface is in substantial thermal communication with a second flow surface cooling structure.

A process method for aseptic canning and an aseptic canning system. The process comprises the following steps: placing a first solid-state food item into a sterilization pot, closing a pot lid of the sterilization pot; warming the interior of the sterilization pot, cooking the first solid-state food item, and sterilizing the first solid-state food item to produce a second solid-state food item; cooling the second solid-state food item in the sterilization pot; and in the aseptic environment within the sterilization pot, placing the cooled solid-state food item into a can and sealing the can. The system applying the process also is provided with a transfer apparatus used for transferring the first solid-state food item and/or the second solid-state food item.

Provided is a method for producing a processed food, in which the generation of a sulfur smell or the imparting of an unpleasant flavor like an accumulated sulfur smell is suppressed.

[Means for Resolution]

Provided is a method for producing a processed food in which the generation of a sulfur smell is suppressed, including the following steps (A) and (B):

(A) a step of bringing a transglutaminase and/or a reducing sugar into contact with a solid food material containing a protein as a main nutritional component; and

(B) a step of subjecting the food material after the step (A) to a heat sterilization treatment.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a food processing system that allows processed food that is sterilized and has a good texture to be identically provided on a large production scale. The food processing system is provided with: a heating unit equipped with a heating mechanism for indirectly heating food; a cooling unit equipped with a cooling mechanism for cooling the food heated by the heating unit; and a transfer unit for transferring the food through the heating unit and the cooling unit. The integrated food processing system according to the present invention allows a large amount of sterilized food having a good texture, good taste and long shelf life to be provided.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a food processing system that allows processed food that is sterilized and has a good texture to be identically provided on a large production scale. The food processing system is provided with: a heating unit equipped with a heating mechanism for indirectly heating food; a cooling unit equipped with a cooling mechanism for cooling the food heated by the heating unit; and a transfer unit for transferring the food through the heating unit and the cooling unit. The integrated food processing system according to the present invention allows a large amount of sterilized food having a good texture, good taste and long shelf life to be provided.

A system includes a vacuum chamber, a vacuum source, and a mixture flow path adapted to be connected to receive the output of a direct steam injector. The vacuum source is operatively connected to a vacuum port of the vacuum chamber, while a product outlet port from the vacuum chamber is adapted to be connected to an arrangement for removing treated product from the vacuum chamber. The mixture flow path includes a flow path segment outside of the vacuum chamber volume and a flow path segment within the vacuum chamber volume. At least some of a surface defining the flow path segment within the vacuum chamber is in substantial thermal communication with one or more cooling structures.