The invention relates to a method for enhancing the product quality and product safety of meat or foodstuffs of animal or vegetable origin by means of selective pressure and temperature treatment. According to the invention, fresh or warm meat of any form is packed in portions using a film container which has recoil abilities and therefore any liquid possibly escaping from the packed product distributes itself uniformly over the surface of the product. The packed portions are then placed in a container-like treatment device which has, mounted on the surfaces coming into contact with the product, a plurality of cushions, tubes or similarly elastic structures to which a pressure and temperature control medium may be applied. The cushions, tubes or similarly elastic structures are filled with the pressure and temperature control medium in such a manner that substantially uniform pressure forces act on the packed product and the packed product can be held in a predefined temperature range which is maintained for a predetermined period. On expiry of the predetermined period, the packed product is then rapidly cooled by exchanging the temperature control medium.

The invention relates to a method for enhancing the product quality and product safety of meat or foodstuffs of animal or vegetable origin by means of selective pressure and temperature treatment. According to the invention, fresh or warm meat of any form is packed in portions using a film container which has recoil abilities and therefore any liquid possibly escaping from the packed product distributes itself uniformly over the surface of the product. The packed portions are then placed in a container-like treatment device which has, mounted on the surfaces coming into contact with the product, a plurality of cushions, tubes or similarly elastic structures to which a pressure and temperature control medium may be applied. The cushions, tubes or similarly elastic structures are filled with the pressure and temperature control medium in such a manner that substantially uniform pressure forces act on the packed product and the packed product can be held in a predefined temperature range which is maintained for a predetermined period. On expiry of the predetermined period, the packed product is then rapidly cooled by exchanging the temperature control medium.

A method for reducing bacterial contamination on a food surface. The method comprises applying to the food surface an NC.sub.6-C.sub.18 acyl amino acid ester and a methylcellulose. The methylcellulose has anhydroglucose units joined by 1-4 linkages wherein hydroxy groups of anhydroglucose units are substituted with methyl groups such that s23/s26 is 0.36 or less, wherein s23 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 3-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups and wherein s26 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 6-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups.

Provided herein are methods, apparatuses, and systems for treating food articles, including meat, poultry, fish and other seafood, vegetables, fruits and other foods and food processing articles by spraying an antimicrobial or other agent onto the food or food processing articles. One embodiment of the invention may include a method for treating a food article comprising disposing a food article in a cavity within an enclosure having an outer shell and at least one inner plate disposed in the cavity, applying a first charge to a antimicrobial agent, applying a second charge to the at least one inner plate of the same polarity as the first charge, and spraying the antimicrobial agent into the cavity in a manner whereby at least a portion of the antimicrobial agent is caused to be repelled by the at least one inner plate and to at least partially coat the food article.

Provided herein are methods, apparatuses, and systems for treating food articles, including meat, poultry, fish and other seafood, vegetables, fruits and other foods and food processing articles by spraying an antimicrobial or other agent onto the food or food processing articles. One embodiment of the invention may include a method for treating a food article comprising disposing a food article in a cavity within an enclosure having an outer shell and at least one inner plate disposed in the cavity, applying a first charge to a antimicrobial agent, applying a second charge to the at least one inner plate of the same polarity as the first charge, and spraying the antimicrobial agent into the cavity in a manner whereby at least a portion of the antimicrobial agent is caused to be repelled by the at least one inner plate and to at least partially coat the food article.

An improved system for treating, precooling, and handling perishable products uses a mobile container enhanced with increased capacity refrigeration and air flow to recirculate functional substances including sanitizers, and ripening management and conditioning agents across the surface of palletized perishable products during the precooling step. Sanitizing substances are dispensed into the recirculating air to significantly reduce micro-organisms on the surface coming from the field and avoid recontamination from the cooling warehouse. Conditioning and ripening management substances are recirculated to enable managing the ripeness of a perishable to a target. The mobile container is able to operate independently outside of a refrigerated warehouse used for storage and distribution of the cooled perishable product. The mobile container can be located near harvest or facilities with no colling assets. A combined system using conveyors and operational controls provides automated handling of the perishables from receiving, precooling and treatment and then distribution.

An improved system for treating, precooling, and handling perishable products uses a mobile container enhanced with increased capacity refrigeration and air flow to recirculate functional substances including sanitizers, and ripening management and conditioning agents across the surface of palletized perishable products during the precooling step. Sanitizing substances are dispensed into the recirculating air to significantly reduce micro-organisms on the surface coming from the field and avoid recontamination from the cooling warehouse. Conditioning and ripening management substances are recirculated to enable managing the ripeness of a perishable to a target. The mobile container is able to operate independently outside of a refrigerated warehouse used for storage and distribution of the cooled perishable product. The mobile container can be located near harvest or facilities with no colling assets. A combined system using conveyors and operational controls provides automated handling of the perishables from receiving, precooling and treatment and then distribution.

The present disclosure provides a fish preservation composition comprising an antioxidant, an antimicrobial agent, and a pH modifier. The composition is an aqueous solution comprising sodium acetate, sodium citrate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium ascorbate, and sodium nitrite. A method for preserving fish includes preparing the fish, immersing the fish in the preservation composition, removing the fish from the composition, and packaging and storing the treated fish. A system for preserving fish includes a container holding the fish preservation composition and an administrative device for applying the composition to fish. The composition, method, and system extend shelf life and maintain quality of fresh or frozen fish.

The present disclosure provides a fish preservation composition comprising an antioxidant, an antimicrobial agent, and a pH modifier. The composition is an aqueous solution comprising sodium acetate, sodium citrate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium ascorbate, and sodium nitrite. A method for preserving fish includes preparing the fish, immersing the fish in the preservation composition, removing the fish from the composition, and packaging and storing the treated fish. A system for preserving fish includes a container holding the fish preservation composition and an administrative device for applying the composition to fish. The composition, method, and system extend shelf life and maintain quality of fresh or frozen fish.

An improved system and method for treating, precooling, and handling perishable products uses a mobile container enhanced with increased capacity refrigeration and air flow to recirculate functional substances including sanitizers, and ripening management and conditioning agents across the surface of palletized perishable products during the precooling step. As the perishable is precooled, the system integrates humidity control to reduce dehydration. Sanitizing substances are dispensed into the recirculating air to significantly reduce micro-organisms on the surface coming from the field and avoid recontamination from the cooling warehouse. Conditioning and ripening management substances are recirculated to enable managing the ripeness of a perishable to a target. The mobile container is modified from a standard intermodal container or over-the-road semi-trailer. The enhanced forced air and/or refrigeration equipment is contained within the container and/or mounted on the top and/or side exterior of the container and can accomplish rapid cooling. The system and method has thus combined rapid cooling, reduced dehydration, reduced surface micro-organism contamination, and conditioning or ripeness control for enhanced quality and shelf life. The mobile container is able to operate independently outside of a refrigerated warehouse used for storage and distribution of the cooled perishable product. The materials of construction used and operational independence enable safely using highly active sanitizing, ripening management, and other functional substances. The mobile container can be located near harvest or facilities with no cooling assets. A combined system using conveyors and operational controls provides automated handling of the perishables from receiving, through precooling and treatment, preferably to a MAP process, and then distribution.