The present invention relates to the preparation of granules and popped granules comprising functional substances, or active substances, and a carbohydrate carrier material, or matrix material, to the use of such granules, and the granules thus obtained. In the inventive preparation, a water-soluble dietary fiber is mixed with the functional substance in the presence of water or other aqueous solution, dried, and, after drying, converted in granules. The granules with improved properties thus obtained can be popped, providing popped granules with improved properties.

An object of the present invention is to provide a particulate composition for an easy-to-take solid preparation, which has excellent moldability (hardness) and slipperiness.

The present invention relates to a particulate composition for an easy-to-take solid preparation, comprising sugar alcohol and a gelling agent that will show slipperiness when it is brought into contact with water, wherein a part or whole of the surface of the particulate composition is coated with the gelling agent, to an easy-to-take solid preparation comprising the particulate composition, and to a method for the production of the easy-to-take solid preparation.

An object of the present invention is to provide a particulate composition for an easy-to-take solid preparation, which has excellent moldability (hardness) and slipperiness.

The present invention relates to a particulate composition for an easy-to-take solid preparation, comprising sugar alcohol and a gelling agent that will show slipperiness when it is brought into contact with water, wherein a part or whole of the surface of the particulate composition is coated with the gelling agent, to an easy-to-take solid preparation comprising the particulate composition, and to a method for the production of the easy-to-take solid preparation.

The invention provides a kit comprising a satiety inducing component A, useful for the treatment and/or prevention of obesity; and a component B complementing component A. Component A comprises a first ingestible solid formulation of a lipid material and a water-swellable or water-soluble polymer, said first ingestible solid formulation being provided in form of ingestible particles that may be used as a partial or full meal replacement. Component B complements component A in that it provides e.g. specific nutrients such as unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, proteins, amino acids, micro-nutrients, dietary elements, dietary fibres or combinations thereof to a human subject in order to reduce the risk of any deficiencies thereof during a dieting schedule. These nutrients in component B may be provided in an oil, a granulate and/or a powder or powder blend. Alternatively, component B may comprise a second ingestible solid formulation similar to the first ingestible solid formulation, which may be provided in form of ingestible particles, but also in other forms than component A, e.g. as snack-bars.

The invention provides a kit comprising a satiety inducing component A, useful for the treatment and/or prevention of obesity; and a component B complementing component A. Component A comprises a first ingestible solid formulation of a lipid material and a water-swellable or water-soluble polymer, said first ingestible solid formulation being provided in form of ingestible particles that may be used as a partial or full meal replacement. Component B complements component A in that it provides e.g. specific nutrients such as unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, proteins, amino acids, micro-nutrients, dietary elements, dietary fibres or combinations thereof to a human subject in order to reduce the risk of any deficiencies thereof during a dieting schedule. These nutrients in component B may be provided in an oil, a granulate and/or a powder or powder blend. Alternatively, component B may comprise a second ingestible solid formulation similar to the first ingestible solid formulation, which may be provided in form of ingestible particles, but also in other forms than component A, e.g. as snack-bars.

An agglomerate product comprises a significant percentage of whole grain materials. A whole grain dry component comprising its native starch form is agglomerated with other dry components to provide agglomerates that are highly dispersible agglomerates, which comprise a dry blend substantially comprising whole grains. The agglomerates can be added to modify beverages such as milk products to produce a ready-to-drink beverage that provides a minimum of about to 1 serving of whole grains per 8-ounce serving.

An agglomerate product comprises a significant percentage of whole grain materials. A whole grain dry component comprising its native starch form is agglomerated with other dry components to provide agglomerates that are highly dispersible agglomerates, which comprise a dry blend substantially comprising whole grains. The agglomerates can be added to modify beverages such as milk products to produce a ready-to-drink beverage that provides a minimum of about to 1 serving of whole grains per 8-ounce serving.

A frozen condiment selected from the group consisting of sauces, pastes, p?t?s, creams and pizza toppings, having hygienic and organoleptic features comparable with those of a corresponding fresh condiment, which is in the form of granules having a porous surface, having an average weight of 6.0 g or less and essentially homogeneous in size having a diameter comprised between 1 mm and 20 mm, and apt to determine a rapid and uniform thawing of the deep-frozen condiment.

A frozen condiment selected from the group consisting of sauces, pastes, p?t?s, creams and pizza toppings, having hygienic and organoleptic features comparable with those of a corresponding fresh condiment, which is in the form of granules having a porous surface, having an average weight of 6.0 g or less and essentially homogeneous in size having a diameter comprised between 1 mm and 20 mm, and apt to determine a rapid and uniform thawing of the deep-frozen condiment.

The readily absorbable calcium compositions of the conventional art have a problem. They immediately settle out when added to beverage and the like due to their large particle diameter. Another problem is that the wet grinding step, which intends to reduce the particle diameter, requires time and cost. A calcium salt is produced by dripping a carboxylic acid aqueous solution onto a hydrated lime slurry while it is being stirred and spray-dried into granules. In this way, calcium salt primary particles can have a small size and calcium salt can be prevented from precipitating.