Abstract: A calcium lactate crystal inhibitor is added to the typical cheese-making recipe to inhibit the growth of calcium lactate crystals as the cheese ages. The calcium lactate crystal inhibitor is preferably a sodium salt of an organic acid, and is preferably added with sodium chloride or shortly after sodium chloride as part of the salting step. The calcium lactate crystal inhibitor can be identified in a solubility model as being effective in preventing calcium lactate crystal formation by having no or essentially no visually observable crystals and a minimal reduction (less than 5.0%, and more preferably less than 1.0%) in the calcium and lactate content of a calcium L-lactate pentahydrate solubility solution after 14 days of storage at 7° C. The amount of calcium lactate crystal inhibitor salt is within the range of greater than zero to 10% of the weight of the curd, to result in a cheese having 0.26 to 2.8% calcium lactate crystal inhibitor in a cheddar cheese.

Abstract: Sodium gluconate is added to the typical cheese-making recipe to inhibit the growth of calcium lactate crystals as the cheese ages. The sodium gluconate is preferably added with sodium chloride or shortly after sodium chloride as part of the salting step. The amount of sodium gluconate is within the range of greater than zero to 10% of the weight of the curd, to result in a cheese having 0.26 to 2.8% gluconate in the cheese. The amount of sodium gluconate added for other cheeses can be based upon the lactate content and salt retention of the cheese.

Abstract: A calcium lactate crystal inhibitor is added to the typical cheese-making recipe to inhibit the growth of calcium lactate crystals as the cheese ages. The calcium lactate crystal inhibitor is preferably a sodium salt of an organic acid, and is preferably added with sodium chloride or shortly after sodium chloride as part of the salting step. The calcium lactate crystal inhibitor can be identified in a solubility model as being effective in preventing calcium lactate crystal formation by having no or essentially no visually observable crystals and a minimal reduction (less than 5.0%, and more preferably less than 1.0%) in the calcium and lactate content of a calcium L-lactate pentahydrate solubility solution after 14 days of storage at 7° C. The amount of calcium lactate crystal inhibitor salt is within the range of greater than zero to 10% of the weight of the curd, to result in a cheese having 0.26 to 2.8% calcium lactate crystal inhibitor in a cheddar cheese.

Abstract: An anti-caking agent and methods of manufacture and use comprising a free-flowing powder blend comprising an absorbent powder material and a base liquid. The anti-caking agent is manufactured by providing an absorbent powder material, agitating the absorbent powder material and applying a base liquid while continuously agitating. A method of using the inventive anti-caking agent comprises providing a divided food product and applying to the divided food product an anti-caking agent comprising a free-flowing blend comprising an absorbent powder material and a base liquid.

Abstract: A process improves the quality of recombined curd, milled cheese curds and/or cheese components by reducing voids and apparent lines of fracture in the recombined cheese, without the necessity of adding such volumes or types of materials into the product as would affect other aspects of quality such as taste. The process comprises combining segments of curds or cheese with a selected quantity of transglutaminase that coats surfaces of curd or cheese segments to be combined. The curds may be milled cheese curds, and may be taken directly off-line in the manufacturing process 9 with or without cooling), and then combined with the transglutaminase, then fed into a form. The segments with the transglutaminase are stored at a temperature (and pressure) and for a time sufficient to fuse, bond, lessen, repair or reverse the apparent lines and voids between interfaces where the segments are in contact with each other.

Abstract: Frozen or semi frozen food products comprise corn syrup solids, a dry blend of protein and stabilizer, and vegetable oil and are characterized in that they have high caloric density, high protein content, a fatty acid profile beneficial for healthy cardiovascular function, and exhibit desirable physical and sensory qualities. The protein fortified food products are useful in the treatment or prevention of protein-calorie malnutrition etc. The products are generally high in caloric density and high in protein content and retain the physical and sensory organoleptic qualities of traditional ice cream made with milkfat and have a beneficial fatty acid profile and no cholesterol or lactose.

Abstract: Sodium gluconate is added to the typical cheese-making recipe to inhibit the growth of calcium lactate crystals as the cheese ages. The sodium gluconate is preferably added with sodium chloride or shortly after sodium chloride as part of the salting step. The amount of sodium gluconate is within the range of greater than zero to 10% of the weight of the curd, to result in a cheese having 0.26 to 2.8% gluconate in the cheese. The amount of sodium gluconate added for other cheeses can be based upon the lactate content and salt retention of the cheese.

Abstract: The oxygen scavenging system of the subject invention contemplates a composition, system and appurtenant methodology for substantially eliminating elemental oxygen from packaged oxygen sensitive products. The composition or scavenging agent includes an oxidoreductase enzyme, a suitable energy source or substrate for the enzyme, and a buffer. The composition binds oxygen when exposed to moisture, thereby reducing the level of oxygen in a closed (e.g., sealed) space such as a food package or the like. More particularly and preferably, the composition includes glucose oxidase in an amount of between 1 and 100 activity units (U) per gram, catalase in an amount of between 1 and 300 activity units (U) per gram, dextrose in an amount of between about 20 and 99 percent by weight, and sodium bicarbonate in an amount of between about 1 and 80 percent by weight.

Abstract: A process improves the quality of recombined curd, milled cheese curds and/or cheese components by reducing voids and apparent lines of fracture in the recombined cheese, without the necessity of adding such volumes or types of materials into the product as would affect other aspects of quality such as taste. The process comprises combining segments of curds or cheese with a selected quantity of transglutaminase that coats surfaces of curd or cheese segments to be combined. The curds may be milled cheese curds, and may be taken directly off-line in the manufacturing process 9 with or without cooling), and then combined with the transglutaminase, then fed into a form. The segments with the transglutaminase are stored at a temperature (and pressure) and for a time sufficient to fuse, bond, lessen, repair or reverse the apparent lines and voids between interfaces where the segments are in contact with each other.

Abstract: A high protein pasta which does not crack or craze upon drying or storage is prepared using a blend of from about 80% to about 95% flour, preferably semolina, and from about 20% to about 5% of a whey protein concentrate wherein at least 60% of the protein is denaturated which concentrate contains from about 1% to about 10% by weight of a food grade emulsifier, the latter percentage being based on the weight of the whey protein concentrate and the emulsifier.

Abstract: Clogging of membranes during whey processing is avoided by pretreating raw acid cheese whey by adjusting the pH to above about 6.5 and separating insoluble solids therefrom. The separated insoluble solids are treated by adding calcium ion, holding at a temperature above about 125.degree. F for at least 1 hour and drying. The resultant dry treated insoluble solids are useful as a substitute for nonfat dried milk in bakery products.

Abstract: Aqueous solutions containing dissolved cheese whey protein exhibiting improved whipping properties are obtained by heating the solution to within the range of at least 90.degree. C. to less than 99.degree. C., thereafter cooling the solution to less than 60.degree. C., and whipping the solution within about 8 hours after heating. The process is particularly effective with protein solutions derived from cheese whey protein concentrates.