Abstract: A portion controlled sliced boneless whole muscle fresh meat product all of the slices of which have substantially the same weight and thickness and the packaged product having the natural configuration for that cut is produced by grouping trimmed pieces of the cut according to weight ranges and passing the pieces of one weight range under considerable confining pressure through a single pass multi-blade slicer the blade spacing of which is pre-set to produce slices having a target weight, and immediately packaging the cut so sliced.

Abstract: An arrangement for storing or preserving perishables such as meat has a vessel with an open upper end. The vessel may be provided with a cooling system. The vessel has a projecting rim and a U-shaped carrier is placed on top of the vessel upside down so as to engage the rim. The carrier supports a plunger which may be moved up-and-down inside the vessel and may be clamped in any position. A jack is releasably mounted on the carrier and operates to move the plunger down in the vessel. Perishables such as slabs of meat are placed in the vessel to form a stack therein. Air spaces in the stack are minimized by placing the perishables in full surface-to-surface contact with one another and with the walls of the vessel. A cover is placed on the stack and the plunger is lowered onto the cover. The jack is operated to move the plunger downward and thereby pressurize the stack.

Abstract: A uniform, portion pre-sliced roast beef product is made without objectionable loss of original muscle and fiber by: trimming a primal cut of beef; vacuum tumbling with water to soften and extract protein binder; forming and placing into a shape-determining cylindrical cook encasement; cooking; crust cooling and removing the encasement; slicing in one pass cross grain through a multi-blade slicer in a manner to exclude air contacting the slices; and vacuum packaging. The product stores well with essentially no blooming and without change in taste.

Abstract: A method of producing a meat emulsion product which is uniformly acidified throughout to an equilibrium pH value of 4.6 or below under conditions which prevent acid denaturation of the protein matrix of the emulsion prior to cooking of the emulsion, to thereby prevent breaking of the emulsion and separation of fat in the product. An edible acidogen is incorporated in the emulsified meat mix in an amount sufficient to reduce the pH of the emulsion to 4.6 or below by the time cooking of the emulsion is completed. Denaturation of the protein in the meat emulsion prior to cooking of the emulsion is prevented by incorporating in the emulsion a water soluble hydrocolloid with the acidogen or by the addition of an acidogen which is encapsulated with a material which delays formation of acid until cooking of the emulsion. After cooking, the acidified, set emulsion is combined with other foods having an equilibrium pH of 4.

Abstract: A process for restructuring meat wherein chunked and wafer sliced meats are blended to promote release of natural binding proteins. The blended meats are formed into log shapes for freezing and tempering, and then pressed into shape and sliced into steaks or chops. The process produces a roast if the final slicing step is eliminated.

Abstract: A method is provided for curing fresh primal cuts of meat intended for consumption by those on a low sodium diet which includes the step of subjecting a fresh primal cut to an aqueous curing solution substantially free of (a) organic nitrites and (b) chloride, phosphate, nitrate and sodium ions and containing from about 0.005 to about 0.40 percent by weight of a nitrite selected from the group consisting of potassium nitrite, ammonium nitrite, nitrous acid and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Nitroxide derivatives of 1,2-dihydro- and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6-alkoxyquinolines are used for reducing or eliminating the formation of undesirable nitrosamines which are generated when nitrite cured meat, such as bacon, is cooked at the temperatures usually attained during frying, grilling or broiling.

Abstract: A process for preparing a bacon product by grinding the small pieces of pork belly into an emulsion and, adding a cure mixture. The emulsion is then cured for a predetermined period and thereafter placed into molds and slowly cooked at varying temperatures. The molded cooked product thereafter is chilled. In an alternate process, the small pieces of pork belly are cured prior to grinding into an emulsion. In a further embodiment, the bacon product is chilled after curing and packaged for marketing.

Abstract: A shelf stable, high moisture, meat-containing food product is disclosed. The food product has a major portion thereof of cooked, proteinaceous meaty material and also includes an edible, non-toxic acid and an effective amount of antimycotic. It may also include a starchy filler material and an effective amount of antioxidant.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the development of warmed-over flavor in uncured meat where the meat is cooked, cooled and stored at above freezing temperature in the presence of certain gamma-pyrone compounds, after which the stored meat may be consumed cold or reheated without the development of objectionable warmed-over flavor.

Abstract: Meat comminute is converted into a cooked restructured meat having a surface that is grained, resembling that of slices cut in the direction of the muscle fibres from cooked meat of good quality.