Abstract: A system and a method for determining a break point of a plurality of hog carcasses is disclosed. The method includes establishing at least one criterion for determining whether the loin of a carcass should be boned. Data is then collected from the hog carcasses relating to the quality of the hog carcasses. Next a determination is made, based on the criteria, whether the loin of a selected carcass of the plurality of hog carcasses is appropriate for boning. If so, the break point of the selected carcass is adjusted appropriately.

Abstract: Antimicrobial salt solutions for food safety and quality applications are disclosed. Because these solutions contain a substantial concentration of salt, they are adaptable to a variety of food-processing applications, such as for chilling brine applications, disinfecting meat baths/rinses, beef injection brines, poultry chill tanks, brines used in cheese manufacture, as a wash to kill salmonella on hard-boiled eggs, and as a wash to disinfect produce, which can become contaminated with salmonella and other pathogenic bacteria in the field. These make use of concentrated salt solutions that depress the freezing point of the solution, to provide a low temperature bath or shower in which food products can be cooled. A preferred formulation contains between 25 ppm and 25,000 ppm surfactant, between 0.1% acid and 25% acid, and between 72.5% and 99.9% salt.