The invention relates to an ovenable pre-baked crumb-coated snack comprising: (a) a filling having a water content of 30-90 wt. %; (b) a barrier layer surrounding the filling, said barrier layer containing 15-75 wt. %, calculated by weight of dry matter, of oligosaccharides having a degree of polymerisation (DP) in the range of 4-20; 2-45 wt. %, calculated by weight of dry matter, of protein; 0-50 wt. %, calculated by weight of dry matter, of starch; wherein the combination of the oligosaccharides, protein and starch constitutes at least 50 wt. % of the dry matter of the barrier layer; and (c) a layer of crumb particles deposited onto the surrounding barrier layer.

The pre-baked crumb-coated snack can be heated in an oven to prepare a ready-to-eat snack without the occurrence of blow outs.

The present composition for maintaining or improving the quality of processed meat comprises on a dry matter basis: between 20 and 60% w/w acid equivalent of an organic acid component selected from the group of acetate, lactate and combinations thereof; between 0.05 and 5% w/w acid equivalent of nitrite; between 0.5 and 5% w/w acid equivalent of ascorbate; and between 5 and 50% w/w of a vegetal fiber selected from the group of microfibrillated cellulose fiber, inulin and combinations thereof; wherein the composition when diluted with distilled water of 20° C. to a dry matter content of 10% w/w has a pH in the range of 5.0 to 9.0.

This composition can replace conventional stabilizers, acid regulators and anti-oxidants without deteriorating the quality of the processed meat. Furthermore, this composition can be composed of “label friendly” ingredients, with a more attractive consumer perception.

The invention also relates to a method for the preparation of the aforementioned meat treatment composition.

The invention relates to a composition for maintaining or improving the quality of processed meat, said composition comprising on a dry matter basis: between 20 and 75% w/w acid equivalent of a salt of an organic acid component selected from the group of acetate, lactate and combinations thereof; between 10 and 75% w/w of plasma protein; and between 0.5 and 5% w/w acid equivalent of ascorbate; wherein the composition when diluted with distilled water of 20° C. to a dry matter content of 10% w/w has a pH in the range of 5.0 to 9.0.

This composition can replace conventional stabilizers, acid regulators and anti-oxidants without deteriorating the quality of the processed meat. Furthermore, this composition can be composed of “label friendly” ingredients, with a more attractive consumer perception.

The invention also relates to a method for the preparation of the aforementioned meat treatment composition.

The invention relates to a composition for maintaining or improving the quality of processed meat, said composition comprising on a dry matter basis: between 20 and 60% w/w acid equivalent of an organic acid component selected from the group of acetate, lactate and combinations thereof; between 0.02 and 2% w/w acid equivalent of glutamate; and between 5 and 50% w/w of a vegetal fiber selected from the group of microfibrillated cellulose fiber, inulin and combinations thereof
wherein the composition when diluted with distilled water of 20° C. to a dry matter content of 10% w/w has a pH in the range of 5.0 to 9.0.

This composition can replace conventional stabilizers, acid regulators and anti-oxidants without deteriorating the quality of the processed meat. Furthermore, this composition can be composed of vegetal ingredients, with a more attractive consumer perception.

The invention also relates to a method for the preparation of the aforementioned meat treatment composition.

The present invention relates to a set of brine solutions for use in a method for in-line processing of food products, said method comprises the steps of a) co-extruding a food dough into a flow of co-extruded food products having a coating that comprises a protein, or a hybrid coating of a protein and a polymer, and b) subjecting the flow of co-extruded food products to a food product strengthening step, said food product strengthening step comprises the step of subjecting the flow of food products to a first brine solution comprising a salt solubilised in an aqueous medium, and a second brine solution comprising a buffer salt solubilised in an aqueous medium. The present invention further relates to a method for in-line processing of food products using the set of brine solutions of the present invention and a lactate salt comprising brine solution.

An apparatus for co-extruding a liquid around a periphery of a stream of meat as the meat is extruded into a casing includes a collar, a tube end connected within the collar, and a co-axial stuffing tube having a proximal end connected to the tube end. The stuffing tube has concentric inner and outer layers and a longitudinal channel between the inner and outer layers extending from the proximal end of the stuffing tube to a distal end of the stuffing tube. A liquid inlet port in the collar is in fluid communication with the longitudinal channel. Methods include co-extruding the liquid from the longitudinal channel at a distal end of the stuffing tube as the stream of meat is extruded from within the inner layer of the stuffing tube such that the liquid and the meat are not combined until both are extruded into a casing.

The invention relates to a production line for in-line processing of food products, comprising a food transport path that successively leads through: a brine unit; a liquid smoke unit; and a transit oven. The invention also relates to a method for in-line processing of food products, comprising the successive process step: moisturising the food products with a brine; moisturising the food products with a liquid smoke; and heating the food products.

The invention shows a food casing comprising a hose casing and cover plates terminally attached thereto in a liquid tight manner, which cover plates cover the terminal cross-sectional openings of the hose casing. At least one of the cover plates has a filling opening comprising a check valve, which is passable for food mass filled in the hose casing and blocks against the leakage of food mass out of the hose casing.

An apparatus for co-extruding a liquid around a periphery of a stream of meat as the meat is extruded into a casing includes a collar, a tube end connected within the collar, and a co-axial stuffing tube having a proximal end connected to the tube end. The stuffing tube has concentric inner and outer layers and a longitudinal channel between the inner and outer layers extending from the proximal end of the stuffing tube to a distal end of the stuffing tube. A liquid inlet port in the collar is in fluid communication with the longitudinal channel. Methods include co-extruding the liquid from the longitudinal channel at a distal end of the stuffing tube as the stream of meat is extruded from within the inner layer of the stuffing tube such that the liquid and the meat are not combined until both are extruded into a casing.

Kneading the yeast fermented dough in the sourdough way: the flour is poured into warm water, in which sugar, salt, yeast are diluted, the dough is matured for 20 minutes, the dough is received semi-fluid, the dough is cut on the surface with greased vegetable oil; the stuffing is prepared from offal of farm animals or poultry, with the addition in stuffing ingredients onions in an amount of 10-20% of weight of the stuffing, salts, pepper to taste and further cooking steps are carried out. The method allows to prepare products with the optimal technological characteristics having high nutritional value and organoleptic properties of softness, juiciness, creamy taste.