Abstract: The present invention provides a stabilized mayonnaise spread that includes nisin-containing whey. According to the invention, the growth of a contaminating microorganism in the mayonnaise composition is inhibited. The invention additionally provides a method of making a stabilized mayonnaise spread, and a method of inhibiting the growth of a contaminating microorganism in a mayonnaise spread, which methods include the step of adding nisin-containing whey to the mayonnaise.

Abstract: Packaging for food products is provided which combines a flexible pouch within a stand-up tent-style carton which effects display of the product in an upright orientation within a divided merchandiser. The carton has a non-uniform width. The bottom portion of the carton is narrower than the top portion of the carton, as a result of which the carton, and thus the entire package, complies with a very strict display face dimension limit of the merchandiser.

Abstract: The present invention provides a stabilized cream cheese composition comprising a product of a nisin-producing fermentation. The product may be a cream cheese fermentation mix fermented with a nisin-producing culture, or it may be nisin-containing whey; alternatively the cream cheese composition may comprise both products. The stabilized cream cheese composition described inhibits the growth of objectionable or pathogenic microorganisms. The invention also provides a method of making a stabilized cream cheese composition, and a method of inhibiting the growth of an objectionable or pathogenic microorganism in a cream cheese composition.

Abstract: A ready-to-bake cheesecake batter, which can be stored for extended periods of time at refrigerated temperatures, will produce a premium quality cheesecake when baked. A method of preparing the cheesecake batter also is provided. The cheesecake batter is prepared from Neufchatel cheese soft body cream cheese, water, cream, sugar, corn syrup, emulsifier and stabilizer. The ingredients are mixed, heated, homogenized and then refrigerated until ready for use.

Abstract: Sources of neat having a high fat content, such as pork trimmings, are processed in a manner by which meat products prepared therefrom have a dramatically reduced fat content while retaining the desirable functionality of the unprocessed meat sources. The fat-containing meat trimmings or the like are comminuted, phosphated, heated and centrifuged under specific processing conditions in order to provide unformulated raw low-fat or no-fat meat having a fat content of not greater than about 1.5 percent by weight while having excellent functionality.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for utilizing, frozen concentrated milkfat to manufacture cream cheese. Generally in accordance with the method, frozen concentrated milkfat which has been stored in a solid state is comminuted and mixed with a dairy fluid prior to melting of the milkfat, and the frozen concentrated milkfat is melted while in contact with the dairy fluid to provide a cream cheese mix, which is subsequently fermented, separated from whey and packaged to provide a cream cheese product with excellent keeping quality without oxidized off flavors.

Abstract: A method of removing cholesterol from egg yolk by shearing a mixture of oil:egg yolk:water ratio of about 3:1:0.8 to about 1.5:1:0.4 where the temperature of the mixture during shearing is between about 124.degree. to about 148.degree. F.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cheese curd that contains protein products originating from a dairy liquid containing casein and whey protein. In order to obtain the cheese curd, the dairy liquid is acted upon by a transglutaminase and a non-rennet protease, resulting in a substantial proportion of whey protein products being retained in the cheese curd. The invention also discloses a method of making the cheese curd that retains a substantial proportion of whey protein products. This invention further provides a cheese product, such as a soft cheese, a semi-soft cheese, or a hard cheese, that contains protein products originating from a dairy liquid containing casein and whey protein, and a method of making the cheese product.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making flavorful, organoleptically pleasing natural cheese containing a nutritional supplement. In important embodiments of the method the nutritional supplement includes vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, probiotics, botanicals, and mixtures thereof, and the natural cheese may be Cheddar cheese, Colby cheese, Monterey Jack, Havarti cheese, Muenster cheese, Brick cheese, Gouda cheese, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Bacon products having very low fat contents are provided from high fat sources which can include pork trimmings. The bacon products are made from a composite of two low-fat meat components. In an illustrated arrangement, one of the low-fat meat components is processed from high-fat content meat trimmings which are comminuted, heated and centrifuged, preferably in conjunction with being phosphated, under specific processing conditions. The second low-fat component in the illustrated arrangement is desinewed to remove substantial amounts of fat associated with the sinew that is mechanically removed from whole muscle tissue. The bacon product has a total fat content of not greater than about 5 percent by weight. It can be of the no-fat or fat-free variety within which fat contents which meet the regulatory definition will vary depending upon the particular type of product being made. Fat contents can be not greater than about 3.

Abstract: A baked pizza crust is provided having a water activity in the range of about 0.6-0.85, the baked crust being suitable for use in a refrigerated, ready-to-eat pizza kit. Also provided is a kit for preparing ready-to-eat pizza, the kit including pizza crust, pizza sauce and one or a plurality of pizza toppings which are hermetically sealed from the external atmosphere in a package having a base tray and a top fitted and sealed to said base tray. Preferably, each food item is in a separate compartment sealed from the other food items to substantially retard or prevent flavor, moisture and microbial migration from one food item to another.

Abstract: The present invention provides containers and container caps for salad dressings, ketchup, barbecue sauces and other dispensable contents, which have liners which indicate whether or not the containers have been tampered with, and which may be removed by the user without the use a knife or similar tool.

Abstract: The assembly and method are disclosed for the mechanical automated loading of cut cucumbers into jars. The cucumbers are sized in length and delivered to one or more cutter and loader stations where they are cut into slices or the like, and the slices are divided between a pair of pivot chutes. The pivot chutes are pivoted away from each other and into alignment respectively with a pair of jar chutes, the latter of which extend into the openings of the jars to be loaded. The cut cucumbers are delivered through the jar chutes at a substantial angle to both the plane of the opening of the jar and the axis of the jar, and toward the outer wall of the jars against which they are deposited. As each load is deposited into a jar, the jar is rotationally indexed in readiness for the next load, and the previously deposited loads are held against the outer wall of the jar by a mandrel which extends into the jar during the loading operation.

Abstract: A chocolate yogurt containing active cultures and having a diminished acid taste compatible with chocolate and a new product form that enables the enjoyment of the product utilizing only normal channels of distribution are enabled by separately preparing and packaging a yogurt base portion and a chocolate flavoring portion. The yogurt base portion contains active cultures and has a pH of less than about 4.6. The chocolate flavoring portion containing cocoa, nonfat dry milk solids, and a buffering salt. The two portions are packed, preferably, in a two-piece composite package. The two packages are opened and the contents mixed just prior to consumption.