The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to systems, compositions, and methods for sanitizing a food product with an alkaline antimicrobial composition. For example, the present disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to a composition for sanitizing a food product with regard to at least one microorganism without substantial residue of the composition left on the sanitized food product, the composition comprising (a) at least one quaternary ammonium compound (b) a base, and (c) at least one solubility enhancing agent. The present disclosure also relates to a system for sanitizing a food product, the system comprising a housing, a plurality of work pieces passing through the housing, a conduit for applying an alkaline antimicrobial composition to the work pieces, and a chiller.

The present disclosure relates, according to some embodiments, to systems, compositions, and methods for sanitizing a food product with an alkaline antimicrobial composition. For example, the present disclosure relates, in some embodiments, to a composition for sanitizing a food product with regard to at least one microorganism without substantial residue of the composition left on the sanitized food product, the composition comprising (a) at least one quaternary ammonium compound (b) a base, and (c) at least one solubility enhancing agent. The present disclosure also relates to a system for sanitizing a food product, the system comprising a housing, a plurality of work pieces passing through the housing, a conduit for applying an alkaline antimicrobial composition to the work pieces, and a chiller.

A system for treating whole meat material and grinding whole meat material into ground meat product includes a microbial treatment station including a hopper into which whole meat material is deposited, a conveyor which conveys the whole meat material, and a microbial intervention apparatus configured to treat the whole meat material to substantially reduce an amount of microbes on an exterior surface of a whole meat material; a grinding station including a grinder downstream of the conveyor and operatively connected to the microbial treatment station, the grinder having a orifice plate through which the whole meat material passes and is ground into ground meat product and a cavity downstream of the orifice plate which receives the ground meat product and a microbial treatment apparatus in communication with the cavity and configured to treat the ground meat product to deter growth of microbes on the ground meat product.

A system for treating whole meat material and grinding whole meat material into ground meat product includes a microbial treatment station including a hopper into which whole meat material is deposited, a conveyor which conveys the whole meat material, and a microbial intervention apparatus configured to treat the whole meat material to substantially reduce an amount of microbes on an exterior surface of a whole meat material; a grinding station including a grinder downstream of the conveyor and operatively connected to the microbial treatment station, the grinder having a orifice plate through which the whole meat material passes and is ground into ground meat product and a cavity downstream of the orifice plate which receives the ground meat product and a microbial treatment apparatus in communication with the cavity and configured to treat the ground meat product to deter growth of microbes on the ground meat product.

Disclosed are methods for killing or reducing the incidence of pathogenic bacteria, comprising contacting the bacteria with a PURAC CL 21/80 solution (1-2.5% by weight) comprising lactic acid in an amount ranging from about 0.43% to 1.23% by weight and citric acid in an amount ranging from about 0.29% to about 0.88% by weight. In some aspects, the pathogenic bacteria can be present on a meat product.

Disclosed are methods for killing or reducing the incidence of pathogenic bacteria, comprising contacting the bacteria with a PURAC CL 21/80 solution (1-2.5% by weight) comprising lactic acid in an amount ranging from about 0.43% to 1.23% by weight and citric acid in an amount ranging from about 0.29% to about 0.88% by weight. In some aspects, the pathogenic bacteria can be present on a meat product.

Systems and methods for automated monitoring and control of food processing systems are disclosed. Data from one or more controllers of a food processing system is received during operation of the food processing system at a remote food processing facility. Values of one or more operating parameters of the food processing system are monitored, based on the received data. At least one event of interest occurring during the operation of the food processing system is detected, based on the monitored values of the one or more operating parameters. Control signals for adjusting a configuration of the food processing system are transmitted to the one or more controllers, based on the detected event.

Systems and methods for automated monitoring and control of food processing systems are disclosed. Data from one or more controllers of a food processing system is received during operation of the food processing system at a remote food processing facility. Values of one or more operating parameters of the food processing system are monitored, based on the received data. At least one event of interest occurring during the operation of the food processing system is detected, based on the monitored values of the one or more operating parameters. Control signals for adjusting a configuration of the food processing system are transmitted to the one or more controllers, based on the detected event.

Implementations of the present invention extend to sanitary systems, methods, and devices configured to package food items with an even coating of an accurate amount of sanitizing agent, such as an antimicrobial agent. In one implementation, an exemplary system comprises a combination of air nozzles, anti-bacterial spray nozzles or spray headers, metering valves, and timers to achieve uniform distribution of an antimicrobial solution into a product package, and subsequently provide a uniform distribution of the antimicrobial solution to the food item.

Implementations of the present invention extend to sanitary systems, methods, and devices configured to package food items with an even coating of an accurate amount of sanitizing agent, such as an antimicrobial agent. In one implementation, an exemplary system comprises a combination of air nozzles, anti-bacterial spray nozzles or spray headers, metering valves, and timers to achieve uniform distribution of an antimicrobial solution into a product package, and subsequently provide a uniform distribution of the antimicrobial solution to the food item.