A method for processing wet olive pomace involves providing wet olive pomace, adding a calcium compound and/or a calcium solution to the wet olive pomace, and filtering the wet olive pomace in a first separating device to obtain a solid phase and a liquid phase.

A produce wash system is provided. The produce wash system includes a produce line with a short-term wash device followed by a wash device, a short-term wash treatment that is applied by the short-term wash device to a product, wherein the short-term wash treatment remains on the product for a pretreatment time that lasts until the product reaches the wash device, and a wash treatment that is applied by the wash device to the product, wherein the wash treatment rinses the short-term wash treatment from the product defining the end of the pretreatment time. The pretreatment time is set at or below a damage threshold time beyond which the short-term wash treatment damages the product beyond a damage threshold.

A produce wash system is provided. The produce wash system includes a produce line including a short-term wash device and a rinse transition component followed by a wash device, a short-term wash treatment that is applied by the short-term wash device to a product, wherein the short-term wash treatment remains on the product for a pretreatment time that lasts until the short-term wash treatment is rinsed off, and a rinse solution applied by the rinse transition component that rinses the product after the product leaves the short-term wash device and before the product enters the wash device, and a wash treatment that is applied by the wash device to the product, wherein the wash treatment rinses any remaining short-term wash treatment from the product. The pretreatment time is set at or below a damage threshold time beyond which the short-term wash treatment damages the product beyond a damage threshold.

A method for reducing bacterial contamination on a food surface. The method comprises applying to the food surface an NC.sub.6-C.sub.18 acyl amino acid ester and a methylcellulose. The methylcellulose has anhydroglucose units joined by 1-4 linkages wherein hydroxy groups of anhydroglucose units are substituted with methyl groups such that s23/s26 is 0.36 or less, wherein s23 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 3-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups and wherein s26 is the molar fraction of anhydroglucose units wherein only the two hydroxy groups in the 2- and 6-positions of the anhydroglucose unit are substituted with methyl groups.

A plated object wherein the plating material has biocidal properties. The plated object can be used in a food preparation or medical care facility. The plating material includes approximately 55% copper (plus or minus 10%), 35% tin (plus or minus 10%) and 10% zinc (plus or minus 5%) by weight. In another embodiment, the plating material includes approximately 45% copper, 45% tin and 10% zinc. A method of depositing the plating material is also disclosed.

A food product is within an aqueous solution. The solution includes: at least one edible acid; and at least one osmotic agent, wherein after the solution reaches equilibrium with the food product, the pH of the solution is between about 1 and 5.

A plated object wherein the plating material has biocidal properties. The plated object can be used in a food preparation or medical care facility. The plating material includes approximately 55% copper (plus or minus 10%), 35% tin (plus or minus 10%) and 10% zinc (plus or minus 5%) by weight. In another embodiment, the plating material includes approximately 45% copper, 45% tin and 10% zinc. A method of depositing the plating material is also disclosed.

Food casings or packaging impregnated and/or coated on the inside with at least one transferrable coloring and/or flavoring agent are provided. In some embodiments, the coloring and/or flavoring agent includes a hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP), optionally an acid-hydrolyzed vegetable protein, a yeast extract, or a combination thereof. Also provided are methods for imparting a color to a food product, which in some embodiments can include maintaining the food product in the food casing or packaging impregnated and/or coated on the inside with at least one transferrable coloring and/or flavoring agent for a time and under conditions sufficient to impart a color to the food product, wherein the coloring and/or flavoring agent includes a hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP), optionally an acid-hydrolyzed vegetable protein, a yeast extract, or a combination thereof.

Use of particles of insoluble water-absorbing food ingredient, such as dietary fibre, as carrier for a humectant, such as water of glycerol, for the introduction of the humectant into a chocolate product. Furthermore, a tropicalizing agent comprising discrete particles of insoluble food ingredient material, such as citrus fibre particles, loaded with water or humectant. That tropicalizing agent is dispersed in liquid fat, such as cocoa butter. The tropicalizing agent is used to make chocolate products heat resistant.

Provided herein are methods, apparatuses, and systems for treating food articles, including meat, poultry, fish and other seafood, vegetables, fruits and other foods and food processing articles by spraying an antimicrobial or other agent onto the food or food processing articles. One embodiment of the invention may include a method for treating a food article comprising disposing a food article in a cavity within an enclosure having an outer shell and at least one inner plate disposed in the cavity, applying a first charge to a antimicrobial agent, applying a second charge to the at least one inner plate of the same polarity as the first charge, and spraying the antimicrobial agent into the cavity in a manner whereby at least a portion of the antimicrobial agent is caused to be repelled by the at least one inner plate and to at least partially coat the food article.