Abstract: An intermediate moisture pet food is described which forms a gravy-like mixture upon the addition of a warm aqueous liquid. The pet food comprises a particulate mass of a proteinaceous - farinaceous mixture having a moisture content of between about 15-55% by weight which is coated with particles of a fat encapsulated gravy forming material. The fat encapsulated particles of gravy forming materials are resistant to moisture activation during storage but activate to produce a gravy-like mixture upon the addition of a warm aqueous liquid to the pet food.

Abstract: An animal feed composition comprises particles of base feed material, e.g., grains such as oats, and, deposited on at least a portion of these particles, deposit material comprising substantially whole plant matter, preferably having a different make-up than the base feed material. An improved method for preparing an animal feed is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for making sweetened coconut flakes in which shredded coconut is coated with an aqueous solution comprising finely ground coconut and humectants. The liquid coated coconut is then coated with sugar producing a product which is moist and fresh.

Abstract: Method for preparing a binder useful for tableting finely divided gasified candy by coating fine dextrose with a solution of starch hydrolysate and drying to less than 3% moisture.

Abstract: A fruit dryer comprising a roller conveyor passing through an elongate drying chamber is disclosed. An air plenum having a plurality of transverse nozzle openings is disposed above the conveyor and directs a series of curtain-like air streams on the fruit below. The major portion of the air within the dryer is recycled by a fan while a smaller portion of said air is exhausted by a second fan. A heater heats both the recycled air and fresh air introduced as make-up for the exhausted air. A means is provided to rotate the individual rollers of the roller conveyor as the conveyor is advanced in order to expose all sides of the fruit to the air streams.

Abstract: An improved method for applying a sugarless coating containing sorbitol to chewing gum pieces and confections by using a single coating syrup containing sorbitol and/or other non-sugar sweetener, an adhesion or binder component, such as gum arabic, a filler-anti-stick component, such as calcium carbonate, and a dispersing agent, such as titanium dioxide.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying articles, such as fruit, which are treated with an aqueous coating such as a wax composition to preserve and to enhance the appearance of the article. The drying apparatus comprises a plurality of housing sections, each providing substantially closed chambers through which a conveyor means carries and advances articles to be dried at a selected rate of speed. The conveyor and a strata of articles carried thereon form a perforate zone in each housing section. Drying air is directed downwardly into a side passageway means at one side of each chamber to pass into a plenum chamber below the conveyor means and to then flow upwardly and substantially uniformly through the conveyor means and strata of articles thereon. Drying air is drawn from an upper chamber above the conveyor means by a blower which directs the drying air into side passageway means downwardly and into the plenum chamber of the next adjacent downstream housing section.

Abstract: A storage-stable confection which does not require moisture resistant packaging is prepared by coating a crunchy core of cereal, dried fruit or nuts with alternate layers of chocolate and gasified candy. This confection provides three organoleptic effects of crunchiness, sizzle and chocolate flavor.

Abstract: A new method is provided for applying a soft flexible sugar coating to soft chewing gum pieces which method requires that a sugar coating be applied to fresh soft chewing gum substantially immediately (within 3 hours) after the chewing gum is prepared and without first subjecting such chewing gum to the normal 24 to 48 hour conditioning period. The resulting coating takes the form of a continuous soft flexible protective shell which tightly adheres to the soft chewing gum piece, locks in freshness and imparts a long-shelf life thereto. The chewing gum piece produced by the above method remains soft even after prolonged periods of storage.The coated chewing gum produced by the above method is also provided.

Abstract: A dried cereal based pet food composed of farinaceous and proteinaceous materials encapsulated within a glazed coating composed of liver and farinaceous material, the combination of which has a synergistic effect that excites the taste buds of the pet more than either of the highly palatable ingredients taken separately. In a preferred form, the matrix of farinaceous and proteinaceous material is formed to provide a core of desired shape and baked to less than 18% moisture by weight. While the shaped matrix is extremely hot, i.e. having an internal temperature in excess of 200.degree. F.

Abstract: Microgranulates intended for addition to foods having a deficit in methionine so as to increase their nutritive value are disclosed. They are characterized in that they comprise a core consisting of microcrystals of methionine of at most 10 microns in size encapsulated in a polymer matrix of spheroid shape in which they are evenly distributed, the core being coated in one or more layers of a vegetable protein extracted from gluten, the diameter of the microgranulates obtained being from about 25 to about 200 microns.

Abstract: There is disclosed a honey coated roasted nut product which is prepared by first coating raw nuts with a mixture of honey and water. The honey coated nuts are then enrobed with a dry mixture of sugar and starch and the nuts are then roasted. After cooling, the nuts may be salted.

Abstract: A cheese topping for a pizza pie comprises up to four geometrically congruent slices of pizza pie topping cheese. Each of these slices is dimensioned to extend from the center of the pie into the peripheral region of the pie shell and to extend along a portion of that peripheral region corresponding to the length of that peripheral region divided by the number of the up to four slices. The slices are further dimensioned jointly to cover the food items on the pizza shell and extend along and into its peripheral region in one layer composed of the slices when contiguously arranged on the food items. Each of slices is provided with several apertures through which vapor and juice can rise from the food items on the pizza shell. The apertured slices are contiguously arranged on the food items to form the mentioned one layer covering the food items and extending into the peripheral region of the pie shell.

Abstract: A batter mix for covering food products, so that bread crumbs will adhere to the food product to form a coating, said mix comprising starch, derived from corn or other grains having the genetic composition fl.sub.1 fl.sub.1, and water. The starch in the batter mix may also have been treated with mild oxidizing agents.

Abstract: Dextrose and sucrose are co-crystallized onto the surface of breakfast cereal products; such as corn flakes, puffed wheat or puffed rice, by applying to the surface of said cereal product a powdered crystalline material comprising any of sucrose, dextrose or mixtures thereof, and coating the surface with a layer of a concentrated aqueous solution of dextrose and sucrose. The coated cereal product is then dried at a temperature below the browning temperature of the product. The resulting coated cereal product has a desirable frosted appearance.

Abstract: A ready to eat breakfast cereal is prepared by coating food pieces with a liquid sweetener such as honey and/or corn syrup. A powdered edible material such as finely divided protein and/or finely divided wheat germ is then applied to provide separation of the food pieces.

Abstract: A pizza crust has a surface for receiving food ingredients such as sauce, cheese and the like. An aqueous dispersion containing water-soluble algin is applied to the food ingredient receiving surface. An aqueous gelling solution is applied to the algin-coated pizza crust for a period of time sufficient to form a substantially continuous edible algin-containing film along the food ingredient receiving surface. The film is sufficient to effectively retard the migration of material from food ingredients placed on the food ingredient receiving surface. A second algin-containing film is formed over the ingredients in the same manner as the first film was formed on the pizza crust. The algin-containing film used with the pizza is sufficient to retard dehydration from both the pizza crust and the food ingredients. The film is effective to reduce breaking and splitting of the pizza to improve the transportability thereof.

Abstract: A method for preparing fried chicken by a deep fat process, which method includes the submersion of previously prepared chicken parts into preheated oil or shortening for a particular period of time, removal of said chicken parts from said oil or shortening for a very short time so as to separate same from contact with each other and to substantially cool the exterior portions of such parts, immersion again into said oil or shortening for a predetermined period of time, and then removing said chicken parts from said oil and placing same in a heat holding unit adapted to permit the parts which were first cooked to be first sold to the public. The method contemplates use of a unique mixture of batter so that the said chicken parts have a particular batter coating consistency which insures their unique taste, texture and appearance.

Abstract: Baked confections are prepared by coting edible particles, such as seeds or nuts or other particles of various foods, alternately with edible flour, such as cereal flours, or starches, and aqueous solutions such as a corn syrup, a sugar solution, a gum solution, or a dextrin solution in a coating device such as a revolving pan or drum until the size of the coated particles reach a predetermined size corresponding to the size of the inner cavity of a baking mold, subsequently baking such coated particles in a baking mold consisting of upper and lower matching units and having a desired shape, with or without engravings on its inner surface. The baked confections can be prepared in any shape in which the edible particle is in a movable state within the open space of the shell layer.

Abstract: The fresh meat product is encapsulated in a substantially continuous film composed of alginate material. An aqueous dispersion containing water-soluble algin is first applied to the surface of the fresh meat. Then an aqueous gelling solution is separately applied to the algin-coated meat surface to form said substantially continuous film. The film is sufficient to effectively prevent the growth of anaerobic and retard the growth of aerobic bacteria on the surface of the meat. The film is also effective to prevent dehydration and discoloration of the meat and bone thereby extending the shelf-life of the coated meat product. By evaporation, the coating of freshly slaughtered animal carcasses enhances the chilling from animal body temperature to the desired cooled storage temperature.

Abstract: An improved method for the manufacture of expanded confections in sealed containers (e.g., cartons or polyethylene bags). The bag has a vent in one wall which is open during an expansion operation. Thereafter the vent may be sealed and the product distributed to the consumer. In one embodiment of the product one or more vent openings in one wall of the bag are sealed by a heat sealing operation, after the contents have been expanded. In another embodiment, a vent opening can be sealed by a tab or strip that can be adhesively applied to seal the same. In another embodiment the opening is closed by expansion of the contents.

Abstract: A method of cold sterilizing a perishable food product during shipment and storage. Liquid dimethyl dicarbonate is applied to the outer surface of the food product and the product is chilled to solidify the coating. The coating acts to protect the food product from microbiological contamination during shipment and storage and can be washed from the product prior to usage.

Abstract: Starch batters which can be applied to food pieces (e.g., chicken), breaded, frozen and subsequently fried into a high-quality, fried, breaded product are obtained by employing a novel batter starch system. The batter starches are comprised of ungelatinized, cold-water swelling starches and starch granules having a gelation point above 125.degree.F. The starch batters are formulated in aqueous mediums (e.g., below 120.degree.F.) to provide a batter system containing unswollen starch granules uniformly dispersed within an adhesive matrix of highly swollen, non-birefringent, hydrated starch granules.

Abstract: A packaged confectionery product is described which is particularly adapted for use with another food product. More particularly, a caramel sheet is provided and packaged in a particular manner to permit edge standing of the caramel sheet and later utilization of the caramel sheet for enrobing an apple. A unique process is described for preparing and packaging a confectionery product, such as a caramel sheet, and for enrobing a food product, as for example an apple.