Abstract: The present invention relates to novel lactic acid bacterial micro-organisms that have been isolated and selected for their probiotic potential and their use for the preparation of petfood compositions intended to improve the health of pets, and to compositions containing the same.

Abstract: An oligosaccharide ingredient comprising glycosylated amino acids and peptides of the general formula RnSacm where R is an amino acid residue, Sac is a monosaccharide selected from the group comprising N-acetyl-neuraminic acid, N-acetyl galactosamine and galactose, n has a value between 1 and 10 with the proviso that if n has the value 1 R is a threonine residue or a serine residue and if n has a value between 2 and 10 the peptide contains at least one threonine or serine residue, m has a value between 2 and 4 and at least 20 mol % of the ingredient is N-acetyl-neuraminic acid.

Abstract: Methods for evaluating and treating patients for dysphagia are provided. In a general embodiment, the method comprises screening the patient for dysphagia symptoms, diagnosing and categorizing the dysphagia if the patient exceeds a threshold of dysphagia symptoms, choosing the proper dysphagia treatment product based the patient's dysphagia, and giving the patient preparation instructions for the dysphagia treatment product.

Abstract: A system for changing the temperature (T1) of a fluid such as an on-demand water heater is disclosed. The system comprises an input for receiving the fluid (120) at a first temperature (T1) and an output for delivering the fluid at a second temperature (T2). A conduit connects the input to the output, and comprising means such as a heating element for altering the temperature of the fluid from the first temperature (T1) to the second temperature (T2). The system is characterized by the presence of one or more virtual sensors for estimating the fluid temperature in a given location within the conduit. The system provides accurate fluid temperature control without suffering from the slow responsiveness that usually mars sensor-based systems.

Abstract: A system is disclosed that is designed to be connected to an electrical power supply. The system comprises a plurality of electric load component comprising stages for cooperatively producing an output (Tout), each stage in a first subset of the stages comprising at least one electrical load component having a first load and each stage in a second subset of the stages comprising at least one electrical load component having a second load, the first load being larger than the second load. The system has a controller for controlling the electrical load components. The controller is designed to estimate voltage variations on the electrical power supply from the switching frequencies of the respective electrical load components during a predefined time frame.

Abstract: The present invention relates to wholegrain instant pasta and to dehydrated food compositions which comprise said pasta. The invention also pertains to the use of wholegrain semolina having at least 95% of particles having a particle size of less than 400 microns in the manufacture of said instant pasta and to a method for making said pasta.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of weight management and obesity. In particular the present invention relates to the use of probiotics in combination with prebiotics to treat or prevent obesity. One embodiment of the present invention relates to the use of Lactobacillus rhamnosus NCC 4007 in combination with a specific probiotic mixture for the preparation of a composition to support weight management, promote weight loss and/or to treat obesity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an orally ingestible food or pet food composition or cosmetic composition containing glucosamine generated from plant materials through a drying process for the maintenance of joint health or prevention, alleviation and/or treatment of osteoarthritis, or the improvement of the skin quality and prevention or restoration of age-related alterations of skin. It also relates to the use of the composition in the manufacture of a nutritional product, a supplement, a treat, a medicament or a cosmetic product and methods for the maintenance of bone health, prevention, alleviation and/or treatment of osteoarthritis, improvement of the skin quality and prevention or restoration of age-related alterations of skin which comprises administering an effective amount of the composition.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for preventing and treating illnesses associated with oral health are provided. In a general embodiment, the compositions and methods of the present disclosure can improve oral health by reducing the incidence of aspiration pneumonia, community-acquired pneumonia and nosocomial pneumonia, allowing for less gingivitis and plaque, and providing improved tongue flora. By utilizing probiotics naturally present in the oral cavity or gastrointestinal tract, the compositions and methods in embodiments of the present disclosure can reduce anaerobic gram-negative bacilli and increase the presence of the normal flora. By preventing and treating problems associated with oral health in a patient, subsequent health problems can be prrevented or mitigated, which can result in reduced health care costs for the patient in the future.

Abstract: Customized children's feeding systems and methods of using the customized children's feeding systems are provided, in a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a packaged food product (10) including a tray (12) defining at least three compartments (20,22,24) and an individual food cartridge located in each of the compartments. Each food cartridge and compartment can be associated with a corresponding color, shape or symbol that is representative of a food category.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a food or beverage composition comprising unroasted coffee solids and arabinogalactans, for example a ready-to-drink beverage.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a base characterized in that it is prepared by the following steps : (a) partial bio-hydrolysis of raw materials rich in precursors, and (b) thermal reaction steps of the resulting product from (a). Said base can be prepared with a further step, which is a subsequent or simultaneous fermentation of the resulting product from step (a).

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the field of nutrition and health. In particular, the present invention provides a composition that can be used to maintain or improve thymus health. One embodiment of the present invention is the use of whey or at least one protein fraction thereof for the preparation of a composition to maintain or improve thymus function.

Abstract: Described is the use of isoamyl acetate in food compositions for weight management and/or weight control. Further described is a beverage containing isoamyl acetate.

Abstract: A dispensing system and method for the on-demand dispensing of spoonable or drinkable food products into a container. Single servings or larger portions of these products can be dispensed. The system and method achieve dispensing of the product with a visual differentiation of the components in the container. The container may be translucent or transparent so that the consumer can view the visually differentiated product therein. The products form yet another embodiment of the invention.

Abstract: The invention concerns an aluminium container (1) issued from the process of deep drawing an aluminium foil (6) to form a container body (7), cutting the edges of the container body, curling said edges on the exterior side of the container body in order to form a curled edge (2) and closing the container body by a foil/lid/membrane (3) wherein the colour of the curled edge is different from the natural colour of the aluminium foil.

Abstract: Bite-size carbohydrate-based products and methods of using same are provided. In a general embodiment, the present disclosure provides a bite-size carbohydrate-based product comprises a carbohydrate source comprising a glucogenic:fructogenic carbohydrate ratio ranging between about 1.5 to about 2.5 with at least 60% of the energy content of the bite-size carbohydrate-based product coming from the carbohydrate source. Along with the carbohydrate source, the bite-size carbohydrate-based product further comprises a suitable amount of sodium. The bite-size carbohydrate-based products can be specifically designed and provided to an athlete for customized carbohydrate intake and portion control before, during and/or after exercising.

Abstract: A composition is described that can be used in prevention or treatment of patients having impaired gastro-intestinal tract function. The composition comprises free amino acids including about 9.0% to about 17.0% glutamic acid. Methods of treatment of impaired gastro-intestinal tract function are described.

Abstract: A device (50) for preparing a beverage from a food substance contained in a capsule (24) by feeding a liquid into the capsule (24) provided to the device (50), said device comprising an extraction head (20) which comprises: a first and second enclosing members (10a, 10b) delimiting a receptacle (25) for enclosing a capsule (24); a closing mechanism (1) to act on at least one (10a) of the enclosing members (10a, 10b) in relative displacement of the enclosing members, between an open position of the receptacle (25) and a closed position of the receptacle (25) with the capsule positioned therein; the closing mechanism (1) further comprising a locking means (13), a lever (21) and force demultiplying means (11) for transmitting a movement of the lever (21) into the relative displacement of the enclosing members (10a,10b); wherein the demultiplying means (11) are designed to vary a transmission ratio of the closing mechanism (1) acting between the lever (21) and at least one (10a) of the enclosing members (10a, 10b

Abstract: The use of docosahexaenoic acid in the manufacture of a composition for administration to a pregnant woman for reducing the risk of development of overweight or obesity of the baby in infancy and/or early childhood.