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.

Provided is a cold storage unit that has a high cold storage capacity, does not generate carbon dioxide, and enables recycling of the cold source. Also provided are a moving body and an ice slurry supply system. In the cold storage unit, a casing that defines a cold storage space has a heat insulating structure, a partition wall that faces the casing is provided at least at a top portion of the cold storage space, and a gap between the casing and the partition wall is filled with an ice slurry that is a mixture of brine and flake ice acquired by freezing the brine. In addition, it is possible to provide a supply port for supplying the ice slurry into the gap and a discharge port for discharging the ice slurry from the gap.

Provided is a cold storage unit that has a high cold storage capacity, does not generate carbon dioxide, and enables recycling of the cold source. Also provided are a moving body and an ice slurry supply system. In the cold storage unit, a casing that defines a cold storage space has a heat insulating structure, a partition wall that faces the casing is provided at least at a top portion of the cold storage space, and a gap between the casing and the partition wall is filled with an ice slurry that is a mixture of brine and flake ice acquired by freezing the brine. In addition, it is possible to provide a supply port for supplying the ice slurry into the gap and a discharge port for discharging the ice slurry from the gap.

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.

Provided are: ice which has excellent cooling capacity; a production method therefor; a method for producing a cooled article; and a refrigerant. Also provided are: ice in a non-separating state; and a production method therefor and ice which satisfies conditions (a) and (b) and is from a liquid that includes an aqueous solution comprising a solute. (a) The temperature of the ice after melting completely is less than 0 C. (b) The rate of change of the solute concentration in the aqueous solution generated from the ice in the melting process is 30% or lower. The refrigerant includes the ice. The refrigerant also includes water which comprises the same solute as the solute included in the ice, wherein the ratio of the concentration of the solute in the ice and the concentration of the solute in the water is preferably 75:25 to 20:80.

Provided are: ice which has excellent cooling capacity; a production method therefor; a method for producing a cooled article; and a refrigerant. Also provided are: ice in a non-separating state; and a production method therefor and ice which satisfies conditions (a) and (b) and is from a liquid that includes an aqueous solution comprising a solute. (a) The temperature of the ice after melting completely is less than 0 C. (b) The rate of change of the solute concentration in the aqueous solution generated from the ice in the melting process is 30% or lower. The refrigerant includes the ice. The refrigerant also includes water which comprises the same solute as the solute included in the ice, wherein the ratio of the concentration of the solute in the ice and the concentration of the solute in the water is preferably 75:25 to 20:80.

A method for preparing a fish product. In the method, a slaughtered fish is filleted in pre-rigor state, skin is removed from the fillet in pre-rigor state, the skinless fillet is arranged in a pre-salting process in pre-rigor state and allowed to remain there for the pre-salting period, the fillet is removed from the pre-salting process, the fillet is arranged in its transport package, in which it is subjected to a second salting process, and the fillet is allowed to remain in the transport package for at least one day.

A method for preparing a fish product. In the method, a slaughtered fish is filleted in pre-rigor state, skin is removed from the fillet in pre-rigor state, the skinless fillet is arranged in a pre-salting process in pre-rigor state and allowed to remain there for the pre-salting period, the fillet is removed from the pre-salting process, the fillet is arranged in its transport package, in which it is subjected to a second salting process, and the fillet is allowed to remain in the transport package for at least one day.

A method for producing frozen fresh plants/animals or portions thereof includes the steps of: producing an ice slurry by mixing ice generated by freezing salt water having a salt concentration of from 13. 6% to 23 .1% and salt water having a salt concentration of from 13. 6% to 23.1%, and instantaneously freezing fresh plants/animals or portions thereof by immersing the fresh plants/animals or portions thereof in the ice slurry.