Abstract: A matrix comprising starch, fat, polyhydric alcohol and water results in a soft, pliable, and stretchable composition having an excellent palatability. To this matrix may be added sufficient protein and other nutritional ingredients to form a suitable food. An especially suitable food which may be thus formed is a soft dry pet food. This soft dry pet food may be mixed with a hard dry pet food.

Abstract: A pet food is manufactured by at least partially replacing sodium caseinate or other caseinate binder with a combination of a vegetable protein, and an amylaceous material.

Abstract: A canned food product for use with dry pet foods or to use alone is composed of a nutritionally fortified liquid gravy and blood based, retort stable, metal-like chunks.

Abstract: At least one knife on a cutting device for use with an extruder rotates to strike the extruded product with an upward motion to thereby force the product in a generally upward direction. The knife is encased in a vapor-permeable shroud having a size sufficient to prevent substantial striking of the shroud by the cut product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for producing a continuous strip of simulated bacon by low temperature extrusion of three differently colored doughs to form a common strip containing three or more distinctly different colored zones which are continuously and randomly varied in width. Differences in extrusion rates among the doughs may be used to impart crinkling and curling of the strip which is heat treated after extrusion, thereby setting the structure and preserving the crinkling and curling. The strip contains an emulsion which is designed to be stable during processing, and during storage, but which is unstable during cooking. During frying or baking the emulsion becomes unstable, thereby rendering out oil upon the cooking surface, making it unnecessary to add oil, grease, or frying aids during cooking, and thereby closely simulating the cooking attributes of real bacon.

Abstract: A high moisture content food of water activity 0.91 to 0.95 is rendered shelf stable by the addition thereto of a stabilizing composition comprising sufficient acid to reduce the pH to a range of 4.0 to 6.8 and a sufficient amount of propylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A simulated sausage product is produced by forming and combining individual phases that are responsible for chewiness, biting properties, juiciness, mouth lubrication, cohesion and frying properties. The individual phases are produced from separate mixtures containing critical amounts of egg white, non-fat dry milk, sodium caseinate, dextrose, fat, fibrous material, water, texturized protein, salt, wheat gluten, colorings, flavors and seasonings.

Abstract: A method of treating Hypercholesterolemia in mammals is described herein. The blood cholesterol level in mammals is reduced by orally administering an effective amount of oat or barley gum.

Abstract: A food bar is disclosed comprising marshmallow, low in reducing sugars and being fortified, and with the marshmallow including fortification both with protein and vitamins, with the protein fortification including therein at least two separate and distinct protein materials having reduced water binding capability, the vitamins being fat coated, and the marshmallow having a water activity coefficient, A.sub.w, no greater than 0.85. A hermetically sealed container completely encircles the food bar, a water converting catalyst is within the confines of the container, and an atmosphere surrounds the fortified marshmallow in the container, with the atmosphere comprising no more than about 4 percent by weight oxygen and the remainder of the atmosphere comprising an inert gas and sufficient hydrogen to combine with all the oxygen and convert it to water.

Abstract: A food bar is disclosed comprising marshmallow, low in reducing sugars and being fortified, and with the marshmallow including fortification both with protein and vitamins, with the protein fortification including therein at least two separate and distinct protein materials having reduced water binding capability, the vitamins being fat coated, and the marshmallow having a water activity coefficient, A.sub.w, no greater than 0.85. A hermetically sealed container completely encircles the food bar, a water converting catalyst is within the confines of the container, and an atmosphere surrounds the fortified marshmallow in the container, with the atmosphere comprising no more than about 4 percent by weight oxygen and the remainder of the atmosphere comprising an inert gas and sufficient hydrogen to combine with all the oxygen and convert it to water.

Abstract: A fortified product useful in the production of food bars is disclosed with the product comprising marshmallow having incorporated therein cereal material having a protein content of at least about 30 percent by weight and which has been heated to gelatinize the starch and denature the protein therein to the extent the ceral material will not substantially bind water but which does not have the nutritional content thereof substantially reduced through heating.

Abstract: Blood chunks are prepared by combining blood with at least one gum and other optional food materials heated and divided into solid meat by-product type ingredient for use in a pet moist food.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing an improved modified plant protein having thermoplastic and forming properties similar to casein and caseinate salts. The process comprises making an aqueous slurry of a carbohydrate containing plant protein material, fermenting the slurry with yeast to generate carbon dioxide, reacting the carbon dioxide with a hydroxide to form a carbonate, adjusting the pH, reacting the carbonate with the protein, admixing the slurry with a peroxide, neutralizing the slurry, and then removing steam volatile flavor components. The process produces a liquid product which is improved in odor, taste and color.

Abstract: A protein slurry is shaped into a film. The protein film is then shaped into a variety of products. This process permits the use of otherwise unsuitable protein in forming desirable products.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing an improved modified plant protein having thermoplastic and forming properties similar to casein and caseinate salts. The process comprises making an aqueous slurry of a carbohydrate containing plant protein material, fermenting the slurry with yeast to generate carbon dioxide, reacting the carbon dioxide with a hydroxide to form a carbonate, adjusting the pH, reacting the carbonate with the protein, admixing the slurry with a peroxide, neutralizing the slurry, removing steam volatile flavor components, drying the neutralized slurry, and then blending the dried modified proteinaceous slurry with an unmodified proteinaceous material. The process produces a product which is improved in odor, taste and color.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing an improved modified plant protein having thermoplastic and forming properties similar to casein and caseinate salts. The process comprises making an aqueous slurry of a carbohydrate containing plant protein material, fermenting the slurry with yeast to generate carbon dioxide, reacting the carbon dioxide with a hydroxide to form a carbonate, adjusting the pH, reacting the carbonate with the protein, admixing the slurry with a peroxide, neutralizing the slurry, removing steam volatile flavor components, and then drying the neutralized slurry. The process produces a product which is improved in odor, taste and color.

Abstract: A food bar is produced having a marshmallow base low in reducing sugars and with the marshmallow base having therein up to 10 percent by weight emulsified fat, said fat containing up to 20 percent by weight emulsifier, and, in addition, having therein from 1-20 percent by weight protein of reduced water binding capability.

Abstract: An apparatus for use as an extruder die is disclosed. The die comprises an inner housing surrounded by heating means. At one end of the housing is provided a gas projection means which is used to partially fibrillate the hot extrudate.

Abstract: A process for the production of a semi-moist food product having an appearance of meat being marbled throughout with fat and a system capable of performing such a process is disclosed. The process comprises mixing separate and distinct batches of dough and cooking the dough in separate swept surface heat exchangers before combining the doughs to form a food product having a meat-like appearance.

Abstract: A food bar having a high protein, flavored outer shell and an inner filling, the outer shell comprising protein supplemented marshmallow, and the inner filling comprising an intermediate moisture food product.