Abstract: Methods and systems for authenticating or identifying a food source for a food product are disclosed herein. Also disclosed herein are methods and systems for detecting a contaminant in a food product. The methods comprise obtaining sequence data for a plurality of nucleic acid sequences present in a food product, identifying one or more microbial signatures, wherein the one or more microbial signatures correspond to one or more microbes present in the food product, and determining whether the one or more microbial signatures correspond to one or more microbes associated with a particular food source or a particular contaminant.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an ultrasonic rotary molding system that is used to form edible compositions or food products as they move along a conveyor belt. The food products are formed by an ultrasonic rotary wheel that includes one or more cutting tools that cut, and perhaps three dimensionally mold, food product strips. The system may include a movable backing plate that is located below the point where the ultrasonic rotary wheel cuts the food product strips. The movable backing plate may be spring loaded and it may exert force upwards against the conveyor belt and in turn against the food product.

Abstract: A method is provided, comprising feeding a cat a foodstuff comprising a protein to fat ratio of 1:0.27 to 1:0.63 on a gram:gram as fed or dry matter basis, and measuring the level of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) in a blood sample from the cat before and after feeding the foodstuff. A reduction in GIP levels and/or maintaining low levels of GIP post-prandially is indicative of a foodstuff useful in preventing accumulation of and/or reducing body fat in a cat and therefore controlling the body weight of a cat.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for dynamically managing electronic transactions of pet homing data is disclosed. The method includes receiving a pet selection, sending a confirmation indicating that the pet has been homed, determining whether at least one pet owner profile corresponding to at least one user record exists in a data store, in response to the determining that the at least one pet owner profile does not exist in the data store, creating a new pet owner profile based on the at least one user record, determining whether the at least one pet profile corresponding to at least one pet record exists in the data store, in response to determining that the at least one pet profile does not exist in the data store, creating a new pet profile based on the at least one pet record, and associating the new pet profile with the new pet owner profile.

Abstract: Product packages and methods of reducing packaging waste arising from producing customized packages are disclosed. A plurality of trays are produced and a first batch of sleeves is produced corresponding to a first sleeve design, each sleeve of the first batch of sleeves being sized and shaped to be disposed about a respective one of the plurality of trays. Each sleeve of the first batch of sleeves is disposed about a respective one of the plurality trays to assemble a first plurality of packages. A second batch of sleeves is produced corresponding to a second sleeve design that is different from the first sleeve design, each sleeve of the second batch of sleeves being sized and shaped to be disposed about a respective one of the plurality trays. Each sleeve of the second batch of sleeves is disposed about a respective one of the plurality of trays to assemble a second plurality of packages.

Abstract: A system, method, or apparatus for controlling the ignition of a volatile organic compound cloud. The system can include a laser source configured to emit one or more laser beams, one or more fume cells, and a conveyor carrying one or more confectionery products. The system is configured to etch the one or more confectionery products using the one or more laser beams. The etching creates a volatile organic compound cloud above the one or more confectionery products. The system is also configured to control one or more factors of the system, where the one or more factors include at least one of laser power, laser wavelength, geometry of laser beam, etch geometry, or fume extraction air flow. The system is further configured to ignite the volatile organic compound cloud based on the controlled one or more factors.

Abstract: A system, method, and media permit a computing system to access information associated with one or more distribution points comprising a distribution network. The computing system can receive a request from a first user to access a first distribution point of the one or more distribution points and determine that the first user has permission to access the first distribution point. The computing system can determine an account of a second user associated with the first distribution point and transmit, from the account of the second user to an account associated with the first user, one or more credits. The computing system can update one or more properties of the distribution network based on the transmittal.

Abstract: Methods for detecting an allergen or toxigen are disclosed herein. The methods comprise obtaining sequence data for a plurality of nucleic acid sequences present in a food product; identifying one or more allergen sequences, or one or more toxigen sequences, in the sequence data, wherein the one or more allergen sequences, or one or more toxigen sequences correspond to an allergen or a toxigen present in the food sample; and detecting the presence of the allergen or the toxigen in the food product if the one or more allergen sequences, or the one or more toxigen sequences, are above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Pet food products are provided herein that comprise a reconstituted animal material, itself comprising an animal protein and micro-particulate denatured whey protein isolate having a volume distributed mean particle diameter (D[4,3]) between 37.81 ?m and no more than 70 ?m.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mounting base (300) for attaching a portable electronic device (402) to a collar apparatus (400). Mounting base (300) includes a frame (102) and a latch (200). Latch (200) is moveable between a latched position and an unlatched position. Latch (200) includes an actuator (206) with a button (208) that may be depressed by a user to manually move latch (200) between the latched and unlatched positions. A portable electronic device (402) includes an insertion portion (410) that is received in a receiving aperture (108) in the frame (102). Once the insertion portion (410) is inserted, the device (402) may be rotated manually to engage latch (200). During rotation, a lock stub (216) on latch (200) engages a corresponding feature on insertion portion (410), thereby preventing counter-rotation of device (402). Additionally, one or more tabs (120) on frame (102) interfere with corresponding structure on insertion portion (410) to secure device (402) onto mounting base (300).

Abstract: A method is provided, comprising feeding a cat a foodstuff comprising a protein to fat ratio of 1:0.27 to 1:0.63 on a gram:gram as fed or dry matter basis, and measuring the level of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) in a blood sample from the cat before and after feeding the foodstuff. A reduction in GIP levels and/or maintaining low levels of GIP post-prandially is indicative of a foodstuff useful in preventing accumulation of and/or reducing body fat in a cat and therefore controlling the body weight of a cat.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a food packaging body including a tray and a lid located above the tray, and the tray has two or more downward recessed cavities, wherein the lid has upward protruding cavities which are less than the downward recessed cavities, and each of the upward protruding cavities is corresponding to the position of a downward recessed cavity. The present disclosure provides a combination packaging body including an outer packaging component, and at least one food packaging body according to the present disclosure is accommodated in the outer packaging component. The food packaging body of the present disclosure can achieve accommodation of foods of different sizes and types in one packaging body and/or three-dimensional and patchwork food display at different levels in one packaging body and can seal a part of the cavities according to the requirements of different food.

Abstract: A white chocolate comprising nonendogenous amounts of isovaleric acid and/or 2-methylbutyric acid is provided. It has now been surprisingly discovered that small amounts of isovaleric acid, i.e., less than 400 ppb, and/or nonendogenous amounts of 2-methyl butyric acid can provide enhanced organoleptic properties to white chocolate, for an extended period of time, thereby enhancing the shelf life of the white chocolate. Methods of providing the white chocolate and providing a white chocolate having an enhanced shelf life are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system, apparatus, or method for testing of pet products and their resulting impact on pets. Certain embodiments include collecting, at a server, data related to one or more teeth of a pet, where the data results from the testing of the pet product. Certain embodiments also include mapping, by the server, the data to a heatmap representation of the one or more teeth of the pet. The heatmap representation illustrates a statistical analysis of the data. In addition, certain embodiments determine based on the statistical analysis of the data illustrated in the heatmap representation an impact of the pet product on the one or more teeth of the pet.

Abstract: A pet food product is provided in which the protein fraction thereof comprises micro-particulate, denatured whey protein isolate, wherein the whey protein isolate contains at least 90 wt % protein, and optionally, animal protein. If animal protein is present, it may not comprise protein derived from functional organs, and the protein fraction may desirably be formed into a homogenous matrix. Processes for making the pet food product are also provided.

Abstract: A method for screening substances for their ability to reduce malodours from emanations from an animal, said method comprising determining the effect of said substances on the C-S lyase activity of bacteria that emit volatile sulphuric compounds (VSCs), by contacting a test substance with a sample comprising said bacteria or a supernatant obtainable from a culture of said bacteria in the presence of a substrate for a C-S lyase, detecting the levels of thiol production from said bacteria, and comparing the results with those obtained from similar bacteria in the absence of said substance.

Abstract: Edible compositions are provided and comprise a soluble mineral component and/or a phosphate component in amounts effective for use as an oral medicament. The soluble mineral component comprises one or more minerals selected from the group consisting of zinc, manganese, tin, copper, and mixtures thereof. The edible compositions are advantageously companion animal chews, treats or supplements. Further disclosed are methods of making the chews, treats or supplements as are methods of treating conditions of the oral cavity.

Abstract: A display apparatus (10) includes multi-unit shelf-ready packaging that is configurable between a closed position for shipping and an open position for display on a store shelf. The display apparatus (10) includes a first tray (20) and a second tray (30), and at least one tear panel (40) disposed between the first and second trays. When the tear panel (40) is removed, the first and second trays and associated products are positioned in a back-to-back, side-by-side or vertically stacked configuration on a shelf.