Food composition in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion comprising water, a first acidulant selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, benzoic acid, acetic acid, sorbic acid and mixtures thereof, structurant, selected from the group consisting of starch, flour, gum, fiber and mixtures thereof, 5 to 60 wt % of vegetable oil, non-soy plant protein having an average particle size of below 100 micrometers, and a second acidulant, having a pKa of 3.2 or lower, wherein the weight ratio between plant protein and vegetable oil is ≥0.3, and wherein the pH of the composition is of between 2.5 and 4.5.

Food composition in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion comprising water, a first acidulant selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, benzoic acid, acetic acid, sorbic acid and mixtures thereof, structurant, selected from the group consisting of starch, flour, gum, fiber and mixtures thereof, 5 to 60 wt % of vegetable oil, non-soy plant protein having an average particle size of below 100 micrometers, and a second acidulant, having a pKa of 3.2 or lower, wherein the weight ratio between plant protein and vegetable oil is ≥0.3, and wherein the pH of the composition is of between 2.5 and 4.5.

The invention relates to a particulate product comprising at least 10 wt. % of the coated acetate particles having the following characteristics: (a) comprising one or more carrier particles containing at least 80 wt. % of sodium acetate component selected from sodium acetate hydrates, sodium acetate anhydrous and combinations thereof; (b) comprising a coating layer that covers the one or more carrier particles, said coating layer containing at least 60 wt. % of potassium acetate; (c) containing potassium and sodium in a molar ratio of 0.4:1 to 5:1; and (d) a particle size in the range of 40 to 1,000 μm. The coated acetate particles in the particulate product are very stable, even though the potassium acetate in the coating layer is in direct contact with the surrounding atmosphere. The particulate product can suitably be used in the preparation of foodstuffs and beverages.

The invention relates to a particulate product comprising at least 10 wt. % of the coated acetate particles having the following characteristics: (a) comprising one or more carrier particles containing at least 80 wt. % of sodium acetate component selected from sodium acetate hydrates, sodium acetate anhydrous and combinations thereof; (b) comprising a coating layer that covers the one or more carrier particles, said coating layer containing at least 60 wt. % of potassium acetate; (c) containing potassium and sodium in a molar ratio of 0.4:1 to 5:1; and (d) a particle size in the range of 40 to 1,000 μm. The coated acetate particles in the particulate product are very stable, even though the potassium acetate in the coating layer is in direct contact with the surrounding atmosphere. The particulate product can suitably be used in the preparation of foodstuffs and beverages.

The present invention provides a composition for preserving or improving the quality of meat products and meat analogues, said composition comprising on a dry matter basis: (a) between 30 and 80% (w/w) acid equivalent of lactate and acetate in a weight ratio acetic acid equivalent to lactic acid equivalent of between 0.8/1 and 2.6/1; (b) between 0.04 and 2.5% (w/w) of anthocyanidin;
wherein lactate and acetate are contained in the composition in a molar ratio of lactic acid equivalent : acetic acid equivalent of 0.5:1 to 1.7:1.

The invention also relates to a method for the preparation of the aforementioned composition, the method comprising providing a vinegar product containing on a dry weight basis at least 30% (w/w) of acetic acid equivalent, wherein the acetate is selected from sodium acetate, potassium acetate, calcium acetate, acetic acid and combinations thereof; providing a lactic acid fermentation product containing on a dry weight basis at least 30% (w/w) of lactic acid equivalent, wherein the lactate is selected from sodium lactate, potassium lactate, calcium lactate, lactic acid and combinations thereof; providing a source of anthocyanidin containing on a dry weight basis at least 0.1% (w/w) of anthocyanidin; mixing the vinegar product, the lactic acid fermentation product and the source of anthocyanidin.

The invention also relates to a process of preparing meat products or meat analogues, said process comprising adding the composition according to the invention to processed meat in an amount of between 0.5 and 15% (w/w) dry matter.

The present invention provides a composition for preserving or improving the quality of meat products and meat analogues, said composition comprising on a dry matter basis: (a) between 30 and 80% (w/w) acid equivalent of lactate and acetate in a weight ratio acetic acid equivalent to lactic acid equivalent of between 0.8/1 and 2.6/1; (b) between 0.04 and 2.5% (w/w) of anthocyanidin;
wherein lactate and acetate are contained in the composition in a molar ratio of lactic acid equivalent : acetic acid equivalent of 0.5:1 to 1.7:1.

The invention also relates to a method for the preparation of the aforementioned composition, the method comprising providing a vinegar product containing on a dry weight basis at least 30% (w/w) of acetic acid equivalent, wherein the acetate is selected from sodium acetate, potassium acetate, calcium acetate, acetic acid and combinations thereof; providing a lactic acid fermentation product containing on a dry weight basis at least 30% (w/w) of lactic acid equivalent, wherein the lactate is selected from sodium lactate, potassium lactate, calcium lactate, lactic acid and combinations thereof; providing a source of anthocyanidin containing on a dry weight basis at least 0.1% (w/w) of anthocyanidin; mixing the vinegar product, the lactic acid fermentation product and the source of anthocyanidin.

The invention also relates to a process of preparing meat products or meat analogues, said process comprising adding the composition according to the invention to processed meat in an amount of between 0.5 and 15% (w/w) dry matter.

The present invention provides a composition for preserving or improving the quality of meat products and meat analogues, said composition comprising on a dry matter basis: (a) between 30 and 80% (w/w) acid equivalent of an organic acid component selected from the group of acetate, lactate, propionate and combinations thereof; (b) between 0.04 and 2.5% (w/w) of anthocyanidin; (c) between 0.3 and 10 mg/kg of carotenoid.

The invention also relates to a method for the preparation of the aforementioned composition, the method comprising providing an organic acid product selected from the group of a vinegar product, a lactic acid fermentation product, a propionic acid fermentation product and combinations thereof; providing a source of anthocyanidin containing on a dry weight basis at least 0.1% (w/w) of anthocyanidin; providing a source of carotenoid containing on a dry weight basis at least 10 mg/kg of carotenoid; and mixing the organic acid product, the source of anthocyanidin and the source of carotenoid.

The invention also relates to a process of preparing meat products or meat analogues, said process comprising adding the composition according to the invention to processed meat in an amount of between 0.5 and 15% (w/w) dry matter.

The present invention provides a composition for preserving or improving the quality of meat products and meat analogues, said composition comprising on a dry matter basis: (a) between 30 and 80% (w/w) acid equivalent of an organic acid component selected from the group of acetate, lactate, propionate and combinations thereof; (b) between 0.04 and 2.5% (w/w) of anthocyanidin; (c) between 0.3 and 10 mg/kg of carotenoid.

The invention also relates to a method for the preparation of the aforementioned composition, the method comprising providing an organic acid product selected from the group of a vinegar product, a lactic acid fermentation product, a propionic acid fermentation product and combinations thereof; providing a source of anthocyanidin containing on a dry weight basis at least 0.1% (w/w) of anthocyanidin; providing a source of carotenoid containing on a dry weight basis at least 10 mg/kg of carotenoid; and mixing the organic acid product, the source of anthocyanidin and the source of carotenoid.

The invention also relates to a process of preparing meat products or meat analogues, said process comprising adding the composition according to the invention to processed meat in an amount of between 0.5 and 15% (w/w) dry matter.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide methods for reducing microbiological contamination during the cheese making process. Inhibition of microbial outgrowth is achieved by introducing an inhibitor at low concentration during the cheese making process. The inhibitor composition inhibits microbial outgrowth of pathogenic microbes associated with the cheese making process and controls and/or eliminates spoilage microorganisms to prolong shelf-life and maintain quality of the final cheese product. The inhibitor composition may be added to the milk prior to curd formation, after curd formation but prior to setting, or both. The inhibitor composition may be used with both pasteurized and un-pasteurized cheeses.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide methods for reducing microbiological contamination during the cheese making process. Inhibition of microbial outgrowth is achieved by introducing an inhibitor at low concentration during the cheese making process. The inhibitor composition inhibits microbial outgrowth of pathogenic microbes associated with the cheese making process and controls and/or eliminates spoilage microorganisms to prolong shelf-life and maintain quality of the final cheese product. The inhibitor composition may be added to the milk prior to curd formation, after curd formation but prior to setting, or both. The inhibitor composition may be used with both pasteurized and un-pasteurized cheeses.