Abstract: A proteinaceous product comprises a stable, substantially clear, thermally irreversible gel formed by the reaction product of protein and reducing sugar, preferably containing from 2 to 25% gel-forming protein by weight. Particles or pieces of edible material may be embedded in the gel, or the gel may be divided into pieces and incorporated as an ingredient in a food product, and the product can be rendered commercially sterile while remaining substantially clear. Such products can be produced by a process which comprises reacting an aqueous dispersion of a protein or proteinaceous material with a reducing sugar or source thereof in the presence of a denaturing agent (e.g. a chaotropic agent), and/or denaturing conditions (e.g. alkaline pH).

Abstract: A gelled sheet of food product is prepared by passing a wet dough of edible substance, such as meat or meat by-product, having food value and comprising a gellable substance, such as sodium alginate, onto a rotating roller to form a sheet and initiating gelation of the gellable material, for example, in the case of sodium alginate, by spraying the material with calcium ions. The sheet can subsequently be processed, for example by being folded and cut to form chunks, which may be useful in a petfood product.

Abstract: A process for preparing a proteinaceous food product comprises passing a wet dough of a mammalian and/or avian meat protein, at least part of which is functionally inert protein, between a pair of oppositely rotating rollers to form a sheet of said food product. The functionally inert protein may have been cooked or otherwise treated to impart to the protein one or more characteristics of cooked protein and/or may comprise inert scleroprotein.