Moisture is retained in cooked or thawed food by adding to the food an aqueous suspension of animal muscle protein obtained from animal muscle tissue. The aqueous suspension is obtained by mixing comminuted animal muscle tissue with a food grade base to form an aqueous basic solution of animal muscle protein. The basic solution is mixed with a food grade acid to precipitate the protein in an aqueous composition. The precipitated protein then is comminuted to form an aqueous suspension of comminuted animal muscle protein.

Moisture is retained in cooked or thawed food by adding to the food an aqueous suspension of animal muscle protein obtained from animal muscle tissue. The aqueous suspension is obtained by mixing comminuted animal muscle tissue with a food grade acid to form an aqueous acidic solution of animal muscle protein. The acidic solution is mixed with a food grade base to precipitate the protein in an aqueous composition. The precipitated protein then is comminuted to form an aqueous suspension of comminuted animal muscle protein.

Described herein are methods, compositions, systems, and kits that effectively deliver a laxative to a patient along with effective electrolyte replenishment by delivering both a laxative and electrolytes via a food item. The food item is prepared by either combining, mixing, or integrating the ingredients that form the food item together with one of or both of a laxative and electrolytes so that the ingredients in the food item either eliminate or significantly reduce the poor taste associated with either the electrolytes or the laxative. Eliminating or reducing the poor taste associated with either electrolytes or laxative, greatly improves patient satisfaction and compliance with ingesting these substances in order to, for example, prepare the GI tract of the patient for a medical or surgical procedure.

Meat crisps and methods of producing the crisps are provided. The meat crisp is a crunchy meat product comprised of at least ground meat or whole muscle meat pieces. Generally the meat is dehydrated and the crunchy meat crisp has a water activity (A.sub.w) of about 0.3 to about 0.6. The meat crisp also may have a moisture percentage of about 4.5% to about 15%, a crisp thickness of about 0.025-in. to about 0.25-in., and a crispness value of less than 731 kg.Math.seconds such that the meat crisp has an appearance, texture, flavor, eating quality, and/or mouth feel similar to other snack chips such as potato or corn chips. The meat crisp may be produced by slicing a cooked meat log and then dehydrating the cooked slice. Alternatively, the meat crisp may be produced by forming thin raw meat films or sheets that are subsequently cooked and dehydrated.

Described herein are methods, compositions, systems, and kits that effectively deliver a laxative to a patient along with effective electrolyte replenishment by delivering both a laxative and electrolytes via a food item. The food item is prepared by either combining, mixing, or integrating the ingredients that form the food item together with one of or both of a laxative and electrolytes so that the ingredients in the food item either eliminate or significantly reduce the poor taste associated with either the electrolytes or the laxative. Eliminating or reducing the poor taste associated with either electrolytes or laxative, greatly improves patient satisfaction and compliance with ingesting these substances in order to, for example, prepare the GI tract of the patient for a medical or surgical procedure.

A dried food product is prepared from two or more protein sources. The protein sources may include muscle meats and vegetable protein sources. The method for preparing the dried food product includes size reduction, mixing, and drying.

Provided are food products that have structures, textures, and other properties comparable to those of animal meat, and that may therefore serve as substitutes for animal meat. Also provided are processes for production of such ground meat-like food products.

Moisture is retained in cooked or thawed food by adding to the food an aqueous suspension of animal muscle protein obtained from animal muscle tissue. The aqueous suspension is obtained by mixing comminuted animal muscle tissue with a food grade base to form an aqueous basic solution of animal muscle protein. The basic solution is mixed with a food grade acid to precipitate the protein in an aqueous composition. The precipitated protein then is comminuted to form an aqueous suspension of comminuted animal muscle protein.

The present invention provides a powdered vinegar that comprises partly neutralized vinegar, i.e. vinegar derived acid that is partly neutralized with e.g. sodium and/or potassium hydroxide, and free vinegar derived acid. The invention also provides a process for producing such a powdered vinegar and the use of this powdered vinegar in a foodstuff or a beverage, e.g. as a preservative. The present process offers the advantage that it yields a stable, free flowing powdered vinegar that can suitably be used as a preservative in e.g. processed meat products. The powdered vinegar has a high content of free acid, is easy to dissolve and acts as an acidulant.

The present invention provides a powdered vinegar that comprises partly neutralized vinegar, i.e. vinegar derived acid that is partly neutralized with e.g. sodium and/or potassium hydroxide, and free vinegar derived acid. The invention also provides a process for producing such a powdered vinegar and the use of this powdered vinegar in a foodstuff or a beverage, e.g. as a preservative. The present process offers the advantage that it yields a stable, free flowing powdered vinegar that can suitably be used as a preservative in e.g. processed meat products. The powdered vinegar has a high content of free acid, is easy to dissolve and acts as an acidulant.