The invention consists of novel compositions of food-grade coatings comprising mixtures containing propylene glycol as at least one active ingredient and containing at least one inert food-grade acceptable carrier for controlling food pests and pest infestations and reproduction on and/or in food. The invention further provides novel food containers and methods of applying coating compositions, including those of the invention, to foods and to food containers used to store, age, and/or cure the foods.

The invention consists of novel compositions of food-grade coatings comprising mixtures containing propylene glycol as at least one active ingredient and containing at least one inert food-grade acceptable carrier for controlling food pests and pest infestations and reproduction on and/or in food. The invention further provides novel food containers and methods of applying coating compositions, including those of the invention, to foods and to food containers used to store, age, and/or cure the foods.

Strains of Carnobacterium maltaromaticum, a bacterial preparation including at least one strain of Carnobacterium maltaromaticum, and their use in the preparation of a food product. Also, a method for reducing microbial contamination during a process for the production of a fermented milk product to which a quantity of Carnobacterium maltaromaticum or a bacterial preparation including at least one strain of Carnobacterium maltaromaticum is added.

Strains of Carnobacterium maltaromaticum, a bacterial preparation including at least one strain of Carnobacterium maltaromaticum, and their use in the preparation of a food product. Also, a method for reducing microbial contamination during a process for the production of a fermented milk product to which a quantity of Carnobacterium maltaromaticum or a bacterial preparation including at least one strain of Carnobacterium maltaromaticum is added.

A method for stabilizing cheese proteins includes preparing a cheese mass comprising cheese curds and whey; adding a stabilizing additive to the cheese mass; straining the cheese mass to separate a cheese curd and whey; and forming the cheese curd into a cheese comprising about 18 to about 35% protein. In some embodiments, the method is modified to allow for a gentler cheese manufacturing process. A cheese composition may include cheese; about 18 to about 35% protein comprising about 0.01 to about 25% of intact protein segments by weight of the protein; and about 0.001 to about 5% of a stabilizing additive.

A method of smoke-infusing proteinaceous foods comprises the following sequential steps: a) enclosing the proteinaceous foods in a vacuum-treating zone; b) introducing smoke directly or indirectly from a smoke generation zone into the vacuum-treating zone; c) subjecting the proteinaceous foods to vacuum purging at a negative pressure in the vacuum-treating zone, thereby infusing smoke into the proteinaceous foods; d) repeating the steps of introducing smoke directly or indirectly from the smoke generation zone into the vacuum-treating zone; subjecting the proteinaceous foods to vacuum purging at a negative pressure in the vacuum-treating zone at least fifty times in pulsed sequences of smoke introduction stage/vacuum purging stage/vacuum release stage for the efficient infusion of smoke into the proteinaceous foods; and e) a post-chill resting cycle of the smoke-infused proteinaceous foods at a suitable temperature and for a suitable period of time. An optional modification to the smoke-infusing process is the addition of Cannabis plant material in order to enable the deposition of Cannabis-derived compounds on the surface of the smoke-infused food.

A method of smoke-infusing proteinaceous foods comprises the following sequential steps: a) enclosing the proteinaceous foods in a vacuum-treating zone; b) introducing smoke directly or indirectly from a smoke generation zone into the vacuum-treating zone; c) subjecting the proteinaceous foods to vacuum purging at a negative pressure in the vacuum-treating zone, thereby infusing smoke into the proteinaceous foods; d) repeating the steps of introducing smoke directly or indirectly from the smoke generation zone into the vacuum-treating zone; subjecting the proteinaceous foods to vacuum purging at a negative pressure in the vacuum-treating zone at least fifty times in pulsed sequences of smoke introduction stage/vacuum purging stage/vacuum release stage for the efficient infusion of smoke into the proteinaceous foods; and e) a post-chill resting cycle of the smoke-infused proteinaceous foods at a suitable temperature and for a suitable period of time. An optional modification to the smoke-infusing process is the addition of Cannabis plant material in order to enable the deposition of Cannabis-derived compounds on the surface of the smoke-infused food.

The present invention relates to novel strains of Lactobacillus as well as preparations and compositions, such as fermentation broths, protective cultures, final food or feed product with Lactobacillus alone or in combination with bacteria of the genus Propionibacterium. The present invention further relates to methods for the controlling of growth of a contaminant, such as a bacteria, yeast or mould by using these novel strains of Lactobacillus.

The present invention relates to novel strains of Lactobacillus as well as preparations and compositions, such as fermentation broths, protective cultures, final food or feed product with Lactobacillus alone or in combination with bacteria of the genus Propionibacterium. The present invention further relates to methods for the controlling of growth of a contaminant, such as a bacteria, yeast or mould by using these novel strains of Lactobacillus.

The present invention provides antimicrobial compositions comprising an Aspergillus fermentate and methods of making said antimicrobial compositions. Also provided are products comprising the antimicrobial compositions and methods of using the antimicrobial compositions to prevent the growth of a microbe.