Abstract: Food products prepared from whole grain oat flour having soluble components. The soluble whole oat flour maintains its standard of identity as whole grain and thus has the characteristics of whole grain oats. Aspects of the present invention relate to the use of the soluble oat flour in liquid food products such as beverages, semi-solid food products such as yogurt, and solid food products such as bakery items in order to provide enhanced health benefits.

Abstract: Food products prepared from whole grain oat flour having soluble components. The soluble whole oat flour maintains its standard of identity as whole grain and thus has the characteristics of whole grain oats. Aspects of the present invention relate to the use of the soluble oat flour in liquid food products such as beverages, semi-solid food products such as yogurt, and solid food products such as bakery items in order to provide enhanced health benefits.

Abstract: Producing soluble oat flour by using enzymes to precondition whole oat flour prior to an extrusion (continuous cooking) process.

Abstract: A packaging carton for a food product is disclosed, where the carton includes a front face, a back face, two side faces, a top face and a bottom face, where these faces define an interior storage cavity, at least the back face of the packaging carton includes a perforation defining an opening flap and the opening flap may be permanently removed by separating the opening flap from a face or faces of the carton along the perforation to define an access opening that allows access to the interior storage cavity. A method of making a packaging carton for a food product is also disclosed.

Abstract: Producing soluble oat or barley flour by using enzymes to precondition whole oat or barley flour prior to an extrusion (continuous cooking) process.

Abstract: A method of preparing a highly dispersible whole grain flour by hydrolyzing, milling and agglomerating grain flour. Highly dispersible hydrolyzed whole grain flours made in accordance with the present invention include an enzyme that hydrolyzes the whole grain flour while maintaining the integrity of the whole grain throughout processing. The whole grain flours of the present invention are highly dispersible in liquid and semi-solid media.

Abstract: Producing soluble oat or barley flour by using enzymes to precondition whole oat or barley flour prior to an extrusion (continuous cooking) process.

Abstract: A method of preparing a highly dispersible whole grain oat flour by hydrolyzing, milling and agglomerating grain flour to arrive at a whole grain oat flour having an increased avenanthramide content compared to native oat flour.

Abstract: Producing soluble oat flour with an increased level of avenanthramides by using enzymes to precondition whole oat flour prior to extrusion.

Abstract: A method and system for producing a flavored beverage wherein the flavor is added in a separate step to a combination of the base ingredients after the base liquid has been pasteurized by, for example, thermal heating. The flavor can be added to a continuous stream of the base liquid after a thermally processed hot-fill beverage base liquid is made up. A return loop conduit of the hot-fill beverage base liquid portion of the system is capable of diverting the heated hot-fill beverage base liquid in a stable state, that is, at the desired temperatures ready for continued beverage production, while the flavor may be switched over in a downstream flavor dosing portion of the system. The system may be used to produce a desired batch of flavored beverage by producing a first flavor, cleaning only that portion of the system to remove the first flavor and then changing over the flavor additive component to a desired second flavor.

Abstract: A cereal composition comprising a waxy starch in an amount from about 5 to about 15% by weight of the total composition and a cereal mixture comprising a fiber source in an amount from about 1 to about 15% by weight of the total composition. The cereal composition is mixed with water and expanded by extrusion to form a high-fiber cereal product. Also, a method of producing a high fiber expanded cereal product comprising the step of combining a waxy starch in an amount from about 5 to about 15% by weight of the total composition and a cereal mixture comprising a fiber source in an amount from about 1 to about 15% by weight of the total composition to form a total cereal composition. The total cereal composition is mixed with water and extruded to form an expanded cereal product.

Abstract: An extrusion die for extruding cooked dough includes at least one slot having an inlet, an outlet and a land. The land has a length and a depth, with the depth extending between the inlet and the outlet and the length extending between a first side and a second side of the land. The depth of the land varies along at least a portion of the length. A process for forming cereal flakes using the extrusion die includes the steps of extruding and cutting.

Abstract: A process for making a highly dense legume micro pellet by preconditioning, extruding, cutting and cooling a legume flour-based mixture. The legume micro pellets made in accordance with the invention contain 70 to 90% legume, have a moisture content of 8 to 12% and a density of 700 to 850 g/L.

Abstract: A multicompartment cup may include an upper compartment with a conical cross-section and a lower compartment with a rectangular cross-section. The upper compartment may include a main food product such as cereal, oatmeal, grits, any milled grain product, yogurt, etc. and the lower compartment may include toppings and other enhancements for the main food product. The two compartments may be separated by a divider and a seal may cover the top of the upper compartment. In addition, a foldable eating utensil may be affixed to the multicompartment cup so that a user may eat the food products inside the multicompartment cup anywhere.

Abstract: A carton for dispensing consumable wrapped products, such as cereal bars, power bars, granola bars or other snacks. The carton may include a front panel, a back panel, opposing side panels, a top panel and a bottom panel. The carton may include a perforated opening portion that is removable from the carton and defines an opening through which one or more products may be dispensed. The carton may also include an inventory window that allows visual access to one or more products within the carton.