Abstract: A sparging device (10) includes a number of sparger or screen passages (14) each extending from a respective passage inlet to a respective passage outlet. The sparging device (10) further includes a fluid chamber (25) that defines a chamber area through which at least one of the sparger passages (14) extends. A fluid communication structure (34) is associated with each sparger passage (14) extending through the fluid chamber (25) to enable fluid communication between the fluid chamber and the interior of the respective sparger passage. The sparging device (10) allows a processing fluid in the fluid chamber (25) to be added to a foodstuff pumped through the sparger passages (14). Multiple fluid chambers may be formed in the sparging device to facilitate the addition of multiple processing fluids to a foodstuff.

Abstract: One or more meat products are positioned in a meat chilling enclosure in which cooled air is added to cool the contents of the enclosure. A water spray including a desired carbon monoxide content in solution is introduced into the meat chilling enclosure. The desired carbon monoxide content may comprise no more than approximately the maximum carbon monoxide content that is held in solution in the spray water at approximately the temperature at which the spray water is introduced into the meat chilling enclosure. Alternatively, carbon monoxide held in solution in the spray water may be limited to approximately the maximum carbon monoxide content that is held in solution in the spray water at a maximum temperature maintained in the meat chilling enclosure. A pH increasing material such as ammonia gas or ammonium hydroxide solution may also be added to the meat chilling enclosure to produce and maintain a desired ammonia gas content in the enclosure atmosphere.

Abstract: A sparging device (10) includes a number of sparger or screen passages (14) each extending from a respective passage inlet to a respective passage outlet. The sparging device (10) further includes a fluid chamber (25) that defines a chamber area through which at least one of the sparger passages (14) extends. A fluid communication device (34) is associated with each sparger passage (14) extending through the fluid chamber (25) to enable fluid communication between the fluid chamber and the interior of the respective sparger passage. The sparging device (10) allows a processing fluid in the fluid chamber (25) to be added to a foodstuff pumped through the sparger passages (14). Multiple fluid chambers may be formed in the sparging device to facilitate the addition of multiple processing fluids to a foodstuff.

Abstract: Carbon monoxide is injected into the interior of the meat product along with other materials to produce a desired carbon monoxide saturation level. The amount of carbon monoxide in the added fluid is controlled to produce a desired carbon monoxide saturation level distributed substantially evenly throughout the volume of the meat product. This desired saturation level may vary depending upon the nature of the meat product being treated, however, the saturation level will generally remain at less than 100% or complete saturation for most meat products. The liquid added to meat product may be added simultaneously with the carbon monoxide or may be added as a pre-treatment before application of carbon monoxide or as a post-treatment after the application of carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A method for injecting or forcing an ammonia-based pH modifying material into the interior of a meat product to raise the pH at one or more points within the interior of the meat product preferably to a pH above approximately 6.0. The ammonia-based pH modifying material may comprise aqueous ammonia (ammonium hydroxide solution) or a gas including some ammonia gas fraction. The temperature of the meat product may be controlled to a temperature near or just below the initial freezing temperature of the meat product during the time that the pH modifying material is injected. pH decreasing materials may be injected into the interior of the meat product either before or after injection the ammonia-based pH modifying material.

Abstract: An enclosure treatment method includes introducing a pH increasing material into an enclosure adapted to contain meat products. Introducing the pH increasing material creates a desired pH increasing gas content in the atmosphere within the enclosure. The method also includes the step of maintaining the pH increasing gas content in the enclosure atmosphere while meat products are contained in the enclosure. The pH increasing gas in the enclosure atmosphere is absorbed into water in the enclosure to increase the pH of the water. The water affected in the present treatment process may be moisture collecting on various surfaces within the enclosure, or may be moisture within the meat products being stored in the enclosure. In any event, the increased pH is inhospitable to most microbes and reduces or suppresses microbe activity in the water either by retarding propagation or killing microbes outright.

Abstract: A manipulating apparatus (10) receives a plurality of previously frozen pieces of pH modified foodstuffs or workpieces (23) and physically manipulates or stresses the workpieces while they remain in a frozen state. The physical manipulation causes relative movement between various points within the volume of the workpieces (23) and kills microbes within the foodstuff. One preferred pH modifying arrangement includes a supply of NH3 gas (11) and a pump (9) for placing the comminuted foodstuffs to be processed and the NH3 gas together under an operating pressure for a period of time sufficient to increase the pH of the foodstuffs.

Abstract: A method for injecting or forcing an ammonia-based pH modifying material into the interior of a meat product to raise the pH at one or more points within the interior of the meat product preferably to a pH above approximately 6.0. The ammonia-based pH modifying material may comprise aqueous ammonia (ammonium hydroxide solution) or a gas including some ammonia gas fraction. The temperature of the meat product may be controlled to a temperature near or just below the initial freezing temperature of the meat product during the time that the pH modifying material is injected. pH decreasing materials may be injected into the interior of the meat product either before or after injection the ammonia-based pH modifying material.

Abstract: An initial comminuted meat (21) is exposed to ammonia to produce an ammoniated meat product. The ammoniated meat product is further comminuted in a comminuting device (12) to produce a further comminuted meat product (22). The ammonia exposure to the original comminuted meat product (21) is controlled to result in a pH of at least around 6.0 in the further comminuted meat product (22).

Abstract: A method includes sealing a meat product into a container. The method then includes releasing carbon dioxide gas from a source contained inside the container to maintain a carbon dioxide gas presence in the atmosphere within the container. Sufficient carbon dioxide gas is preferably maintained in the package along or together with one or more gasses to maintain at least a slight positive pressure in the container or package, that is, a pressure slightly above atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A method for packaging meat products includes sealing a meat product in a container and maintaining a pressure on the meat product in the container at least one and one-half (1.5) pounds per square inch (psi) greater than atmospheric pressure. Pressures well above this minimum package pressure/atmospheric pressure differential of 1.5 psi may be employed. For example, pressures of ten (10) psi or more over atmospheric pressure may be used in a meat product container. One or more gasses may be released into the meat product container over time to help maintain the desired pressure on the meat product.

Abstract: Carbon monoxide is injected into the interior of the meat product along with other materials to produce a desired carbon monoxide saturation level. The amount of carbon monoxide in the added fluid is controlled to produce a desired carbon monoxide saturation level distributed substantially evenly throughout the volume of the meat product. This desired saturation level may vary depending upon the nature of the meat product being treated, however, the saturation level will generally remain at less than 100% or complete saturation for most meat products. The liquid added to meat product may be added simultaneously with the carbon monoxide or may be added as a pre-treatment before application of carbon monoxide or as a post-treatment after the application of carbon monoxide.

Abstract: A method includes producing a flowing sheet of comminuted foodstuff and then exposing the flowing sheet of material to a processing fluid in at least one of the major surfaces of the sheet. The transverse dimension of the flowing sheet of material may be generally equal to a dimension of the foodstuff pieces making up the comminuted foodstuff. The processing fluid may enter the sheet of material through one or both of the opposing surfaces used to form the sheet. Discrete openings may be formed through a wall of material used to form one of the major surfaces of the flowing sheet of material, and the processing fluid may be applied through such discrete openings. The processing fluid may also be applied through a porous and permeable material included in, or making up, a wall used to form one of the major surfaces of the flowing sheet of material.

Abstract: A pH increasing material is placed in contact with the surface of an initial comminuted meat product. This contact with the pH increasing material increases the pH of the initial meat product to produce an intermediate meat product. The method also includes the step of removing the pH increasing material and preferably applying a driving force to the intermediate, pH increased meat product. The method may also include placing a pH lowering gas at a neutralizing pressure in contact with the surface of the intermediate meat product to decrease the pH of the meat product back to a final level.

Abstract: A method for producing a pH enhanced meat product includes injecting or otherwise forcing a pH modifying material into the interior of the meat product, either before, after, or concurrently with an oxygen enhancing material. The oxygen enhancing material may be combined or mixed with the pH modifying material to form an oxygen enhanced pH modifying brine. This brine is then forced into the interior of the meat product to effect the desired pH modification in the meat product.

Abstract: An intermediate combination is formed and then mixed to produce a final mixed product. The intermediate combination includes a first meat product preferably having a first pH and a second meat product preferably having a different pH. The first meat product in the intermediate combination comprises a plurality of pieces of the first meat product at a temperature below the freezing point of the first meat product. However, the second meat product in the intermediate combination is at a temperature at or above the freezing point of the second meat product. As the intermediate combination is then mixed, the frozen pieces of first meat product become evenly distributed in the second meat product prior to thawing and commingling with the second meat product to produce a substantially homogeneous final mixed product.

Abstract: A method includes forcing a gas into an interior of a meat product through an injection conduit positioned within the meat product and forcing a brine into the interior of the meat product. The brine may be forced into the meat product through the injection conduit or through an additional injection conduit. The gas may be forced into the interior of the meat product either prior to injecting the brine, after injecting the brine, or concurrently with injecting the brine. The brine itself may include any brine that may be injected into a meat product. The injected gas may include any gas or mixture of gasses compatible with meat and food processing and compatible with the injected brine or brines.

Abstract: A method for injecting or forcing an ammonia-based pH modifying material into the interior of a meat product to raise the pH at one or more points within the interior of the meat product preferably to a pH above approximately 6.0. The ammonia-based pH modifying material may comprise aqueous ammonia (ammonium hydroxide solution) or a gas including some ammonia gas fraction. The temperature of the meat product may be controlled to a temperature near or just below the initial freezing temperature of the meat product during the time that the pH modifying material is injected. pH decreasing materials may be injected into the interior of the meat product either before or after injection the ammonia-based pH modifying material.

Abstract: A manipulating apparatus (10) receives a plurality of previously frozen pieces of pH modified foodstuffs or workpieces (23) and physically manipulates or stresses the workpieces while they remain in a frozen state. The physical manipulation causes relative movement between various points within the volume of the workpieces (23) and kills microbes within the foodstuff. One preferred pH modifying arrangement includes a supply of NH3 gas (11) and a pump (9) for placing the comminuted foodstuffs to be processed and the NH3 gas together under an operating pressure for a period of time sufficient to increase the pH of the foodstuffs.

Abstract: A pH increasing material is placed in contact with the surface of an initial comminuted meat product. This contact with the pH increasing material increases the pH of the initial meat product to produce an intermediate meat product. The method also includes the step of removing the pH increasing material and applying mechanical action to the intermediate, pH increased meat product. The method may also include placing a pH lowering gas at a neutralizing pressure in contact with the surface of the intermediate meat product to decrease the pH of the meat product.