Abstract: The present invention concerns a beverage preparation machine (1) having a tank (2) for containing a food-grade fluid, said tank comprising: (i) a reservoir body with side, bottom and top walls, (ii) at least one filling opening, (iii) at least one dispensing opening comprising a dispensing valve for establishing a fluid connecting between said machine and said tank, said tank having a weight WE when less than 5% of its total volume is filled, and a weight WF when at least 5% of its total volume is filled with fluid, said valve being reciprocally movable between a first position where the tank has a weight WE and the valve is open and a second position where the tank has a weight WF and the valve is closed characterized in that said machine comprises a switch disposed in the vicinity of at least one wall of the tank (2), so that: —when the tank has a weight WF said tank is in a first position so that it contacts said switch, and —when the tank has a weight WE said tank is in a second position, away from said

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of nutrition; in particular to the prevention and/or treatment of malnutrition. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a nutritional composition enriched in cysteine for use in the treatment and/or prevention of malnutrition and disorders related thereto. Such a composition may in particular, but not exclusively, be useful for the elderly population.

Abstract: A process for preparing aerated ice confection particles by manufacturing an aerated ice confection in a mass; further freezing the mass cryogenically to a temperature close to the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the aerated ice confection to form a aerated frozen mass, and comminuting the frozen mass to aerated ice confection particles with a high surface area to volume ratio. These particles can be used for a variety of purposes but preferably are used for forming frozen ice drinks in a simple, rapid and convenient manner. This is particularly useful when a single serving of such drinks is desired as no special equipment to make the drink is required. The invention also relates to packaging for the aerated ice confection particles and methods of making frozen ice drinks from the aerated ice confection particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device 1 for producing milk foam, which makes use of Couette flow and a high shear stress that is accordingly applied to a milk-air mixture between two concentrically arranged cylinders 2, 3. The cylinders are rotated relatively to another. The high shear stress leads to an emulsion of the milk and the air, which is the basis for a foaming effect, once the emulsion flows out of a gap 6 between the two cylinders 2, 3 and expands. The parameters of the device 1 that mainly influence the foaming effect are the width of the gap 6 and the relative rotation speed of the cylinders.

Abstract: The invention proposes a capsule (9) for use in a beverage production device, the capsule containing ingredients for producing a nutritional liquid when a liquid is fed into the capsule (9) at an inlet face (8) thereof, the capsule (9) furthermore containing heat sensitive bioactive ingredients such as probiotic microorganisms (21) which are physically separated from the other nutritional ingredients in the capsule.

Abstract: Packages for housing consumable products or secondary containers having consumable products and methods of making and using same are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a tray having first and second opposing side walls, a front wall, a back wall, a bottom wall, and an interior wall that divides the tray into at least two separate compartments. The interior wall may include first and second adjacent panels joined by one of a perforation and a score. The perforation and/or score will allow the tray to be configured, at least, as one tray having two separate compartments, or as two separate and discrete trays.

Abstract: A nutritional composition is proposed comprising a probiotic and milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) wherein the MFGM and the probiotics mutually potentiate their respective effects and promote complementary beneficial protective mechanisms that reflect physiological synergy. The nutritional composition can be an infant formula, infant cereals, baby food or health care nutritional product. The synergistic effect can include promoting immune maturation and/or immune education and/or reducing inflammation and/or treating or preventing disease or infections.

Abstract: A nutritional composition comprising a partially hydrolyzed milk protein having a degree of hydrolysis between 15 and 25% and 50 to 1000 nanograms of TGF-? per 100 ml of ready to consume composition and methods for the primary prevention of allergic reactions to newly introduced dietary protein at weaning and the prevention of development of atopic diseases in a young mammal at weaning comprising feeding to the young mammal a therapeutic amount of the composition are disclosed.

Abstract: Method for preparing a food liquid from a food substance contained in a receptacle by passing water through the substance using centrifugal forces comprising: driving the receptacle in centrifugal rotation while introducing water in the capsule, passing water through the substance to form a food liquid, collecting the centrifuged food liquid, wherein the receptacle is a single-use capsule and, a flow restriction means is arranged within the flow path of the centrifuged liquid.

Abstract: Bacterial agents for preparing compositions which are for cosmetic, pharmaceutical or veterinary use and which are intended to stabilize and/or regulate the cutaneous ecosystem of mammals. These bacterial agents being an extract of a bacterium, or a bacterium, selected for their adhesion to skin cells and anti-adhesive to pathogens of the cutaneous system. The invention also relates to compositions containing such agents.

Abstract: A filter unit for a capsule for preparing a beverage and/or nutritional product is disclosed, along with a capsule containing same. Methods of production and use thereof are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new integrated, holistic approach to empower older adults to enhance their quality of life and independence through a personalized lifestyle and nutrition program. This is achieved by measuring the physical status of the adults with respect to strength and endurance. In addition, their nutritional status is assessed. Based on those assessments recommendations are provided with respect to particular exercise programs and nutrients that support the functions bones, muscles and cartilage. These methods can be implemented as a software program and executed on computer systems.

Abstract: A machine (1) for preparing food or beverage products is provided. Said machine (1) is adapted for injecting a fluid under pressure in an ingredient capsule inserted therein. Said machine (1) comprises a fluid reservoir (3), a fluid system, a fluid heating element, and a controller for managing at least one preparation parameter, and further comprises a selector for allowing a user to manually select at least one food or beverage preparation parameter.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a water dispersible, preferably a powder composition of water extractible bioactive components of exclusively fruit or vegetable or plant origin. These components are obtainable by: a) subjecting a selected fruit or vegetable or plant material to homogenisation in weak alkaline conditions and at moderate temperature; b) separating the liquid extract from the homogenised mass and subsequently bringing it to neutrality; and c) eventually concentrating or drying, preferably by freeze drying, the neutralized liquid extract. The composition can be used as primary composition in the preparation of a food product for oral administration, a food supplement, a pet food product, a pet food supplement, a cosmetic preparation or a pharmaceutical preparation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composition suitable for use in the prevention of opportunistic infections in immune-compromised individuals comprising a probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium breve or Bifidobacterium longum and a fucosylated oligosaccharide selected from the group comprising 2?-fucosyllactose, 3?fucosyllactose, difucosyllactose, lacto-N-fucopentaose, lacto-N-fucohexaose, fucosyllacto-N-hexaose and fucosyllacto-N-neohexaose. The invention further extends to the use of such a composition in the prevention of opportunistic infections in immune-compromised individuals.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for predicting the likelihood of mucosal healing in an individual with a disease such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In addition, the present invention provides methods for monitoring the progression of mucosal healing in an individual with a disease such as IBD. Information on mucosal healing status derived from the use of the present invention can also aid in optimizing therapy and/or monitoring the therapeutic efficiency of an anti-TNF? inhibitor drug.

Abstract: An extraction unit (10) for extracting cartridges (1a; 1b) of two different heights (ha;hb) comprises a seat (11, 12, 13; 15) for receiving any of such cartridges (1a; 1b) for extraction thereof in the seat. The seat is delimited by a first part (11,12,13) and second part (15) that are relatively movable between a cartridge extraction position and a cartridge loading and/or ejection position. The first part (11,12,13) has a first portion (11,12) and a second portion (13) that are relatively movable to delimit a cavity (12?) having selectively: —a first depth (da) for receiving a cartridge (1a) of the first height (ha); and—a second depth (db) for receiving a cartridge (1b) of the second height (hb), the first part (11,12,13) has a lock (112?, 132, 132?, 142?) for locking the first and second portions (11,12,13) when the delimited cavity (12?) has the first depth (da) or the second depth (db).

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for aiding in the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in an individual. In particular, the present invention is useful for determining whether a sample from an individual is an IBS sample or a healthy control sample using a statistical algorithm. Thus, the present invention provides an accurate diagnostic prediction of IBS and is useful for guiding treatment decisions.

Abstract: Yogurts, such as Greek frozen yogurts, and methods of making such yogurts are provided. The yogurts can contain fermented lactose-reduced skim milk such that the protein content of the yogurt is from 5% to 14% by weight of the yogurt, the total solids content is less than 38% by weight of the yogurt, and the amount of lactose is 7% or less by weight of the yogurt. The lactose-reduced skim milk can be the primary protein source in the yogurt, and the yogurt can have no added whey protein, milk protein concentrate (MPC), protein isolates or protein powders. The yogurt can be made without straining. The yogurt has a fat content from 0%-6% by weight of the yogurt, preferably below 5% and most preferably below 3%.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of biomarkers. In particular, the present invention relates to biomarkers such as PC-O 44:6 that can be used, for example for detecting and/or quantifying visceral adiposity and/or changes in visceral adiposity. This biomarker may also be used to diagnosing the effect of a change in lifestyle on visceral adiposity in a subject.