Methods and devices are disclosed for providing the controlled formation of planar homogeneous or heterogeneous materials using microfluidic devices. In one embodiment, a planar array of microfluidic channels is employed to produce a flowing liquid sheet having heterogeneous structure by spatially and temporally controlling dispensing of polymer liquid from selected microchannels. The resulting liquid sheet is solidified to produce a planar heterogeneous material that may be continuously drawn and/or fed from the plurality of microfluidic channels. The polymer liquid may include a payload that may be selectively incorporated into the heterogeneous structure. In some embodiments, the local material composition is controllable, thereby allowing control over local and bulk material properties, such as the permeability and the elasticity, and of creating materials with directionally dependent properties.

A process for dispensing fluid foodstuff material into a shaping cavity of a mould is provided. The process includes advancing a plurality of moulds on a conveying line, along an advancement direction, each comprising at least one shaping cavity. The process includes dispensing a given quantity of the material through one or more of the nozzles, into the at least one shaping cavity of a mould. The dispensing step is executed while the mould continues to advance below the nozzle formation, along the advancement direction. The at least one shaping cavity of the mould has a depth that varies along the advancement direction. The dispensing step comprises varying the quantity of material dispensed into the shaping cavity as a function of the position of the mould along the advancement direction in such a way that the dispensed quantity is a function of the depth variation within the shaping cavity.

A method of treating pieces of plant material to make them microbiologically stable for inclusion in chewing gums and other confections is disclosed. More specifically, the plant material is exposed to gamma radiation in specific dosage ranges to stabilize the ingredient and preserve flavor and appearance of the material. The present invention relates to chewing gums and confections having inclusions of pieces of plant material such as pieces of mint leaves or dried fruit, wherein the plant material is stabilized against microbial growth by treatment with gamma radiation.

A system for dispensing fluid foodstuff material into a shaping cavity of a mould is described, of the type comprising the steps of: advancing a plurality of moulds (M1, M2) on a conveying line (2), along an advancement direction (X), each comprising at least one shaping cavity; providing a dispensing machine (4) along said conveying line (2) provided with a formation of nozzles (6; 61, 62, 63) comprising at least one line of nozzles arranged along a direction (K) transversal to said advancement direction (X).

The process is characterized in that it delivers the material during advancement of the moulds, and in that it adjusts the quantity of material dispensed as a function of the variation in depth in the individual shaping cavity along the advancement direction (X).

A preformulated pectin-based melt-to-make bulk gummy mix is disclosed that is storage stable and formulated, optionally with flavors and colors, in a bulk mix form that is convenient for the next step in manufacturing storage stable individual serving reduced sugar or sugar-free pectin-based gummies. Methods for making a storage stable bulk pectin-based gummy mix that is a precursor for making individual serving reduced sugar or sugar-free pectin-based gummies are disclosed, as well as methods for making individual serving reduced sugar or sugar-free pectin-based gummies from a storage stable bulk pectin-based gummy mix. Kits comprising a two-part pectin-based gummy mix and acidulant for initiating pectin gelling are also described for the convenient manufacture of individual serving reduced sugar or sugar-free pectin-based gummies.