Meat processing methods providing reduced contamination from microbial sources, improved tenderness of the resulting meat product, and enhanced processing efficiency by decreasing cost, water usage, wastewater output, time, and energy necessary for processing meat carcasses are disclosed. The methods utilize hot water spray of the carcass in addition to subzero chilling. The methods reduce bacterial population during meat production, including both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The hot water also cleans the carcass before exposure to the chilled water such that the chilled water can be used repeatedly.

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.

A method for at least partially dehydrating the casing of co-extruded food products, wherein an aqueous salt solution is supplied to the exterior of the co-extruded food products. A device for at least partially dehydrating the casing of co-extruded food products.

The invention relates to a production line for in-line processing of food products, comprising a food transport path that successively leads through: a brine unit; a liquid smoke unit; and a transit oven. The invention also relates to a method for in-line processing of food products, comprising the successive process step: moisturising the food products with a brine; moisturising the food products with a liquid smoke; and heating the food products.

The invention relates to a production line for in-line processing of food products, comprising a food transport path that successively leads through: a brine unit; a liquid smoke unit; and a transit oven. The invention also relates to a method for in-line processing of food products, comprising the successive process step: moisturising the food products with a brine; moisturising the food products with a liquid smoke; and heating the food products.

A utility cleaner for cleaning a variety of items is disclosed whereby a user can clean a variety of items without having to provide any constant “hands-on” monitoring or actions. A user can hook-up a water supply to the cleaner and allow the cleaner to automatically clean from the force of the supplied liquid and simply visually monitoring the liquid flow out of the cleaner.

A utility cleaner for cleaning a variety of items is disclosed whereby a user can clean a variety of items without having to provide any constant “hands-on” monitoring or actions. A user can hook-up a water supply to the cleaner and allow the cleaner to automatically clean from the force of the supplied liquid and simply visually monitoring the liquid flow out of the cleaner.

A conveyor system and related methods of operation for using two or more conveyors to treat at least two separate sides of food items with a chemical intervention solution. The conveyor system can include two or more conveyors arranged in an angled relationship relative to a horizontal plane such that a first side of a food material is presented on a first conveyor and a second side of the food material is presented on a second conveyor. A chemical intervention system including two or more spray assemblies can apply a suitable chemical intervention solution to the first and second sides of food. The two or more conveyors can be arranged at an angle from 20-45 degrees relative to a common horizontal plane.

A conveyor system and related methods of operation for using two or more conveyors to treat at least two separate sides of food items with a chemical intervention solution. The conveyor system can include two or more conveyors arranged in an angled relationship relative to a horizontal plane such that a first side of a food material is presented on a first conveyor and a second side of the food material is presented on a second conveyor. A chemical intervention system including two or more spray assemblies can apply a suitable chemical intervention solution to the first and second sides of food. The two or more conveyors can be arranged at an angle from 20-45 degrees relative to a common horizontal plane.