Abstract: Grain products comprising at least one constituent of at least one grain, at least one potent natural sweetener and at least one bulking agent are provided, wherein the coating provides enhanced bowl life for the grain product. Methods of increasing bowl life of a grain product are also provided.

Abstract: A process of creating a particulate encrusted food core comprises exposing a food core and a plurality of particulates to air currents. The air currents cause the particulates to collide with and adhere to the food core creating a particulate encrusted food core. The particulates may comprise granola and the food core may comprise a cereal. The encrusting process may occur within a fluidized bed apparatus.

Abstract: A savory food binder composition comprising: between about 25 to about 50% by weight of moisture content, between about 15 to about 25% by weight of a fat, between about 20 to about 30% by weight of a food hydrocolloid, and between about 10 to about 30% by weight of a non-hydrocolloid carbohydrate. The savory food binder composition can be used in the preparation and manufacture of savory crunchy granola-type bars.

Abstract: The bulk density of food products with a center fill mat can be reduced by expanding the food strands making up the center fill mat. A method for producing food products with fillings having low bulk density includes preparing the food strands by passing dough through small holes, and enclosing the food strands by a first layer and a second layer.

Abstract: Methods for providing consumers with nutritional value information of a food product include developing threshold criteria related to nutritional value information, selecting food products satisfying all of the threshold criteria, applying a distinctive logo to the selected food products, and distributing and displaying the food products with the distinctive logo. Other methods of developing threshold criteria include developing criteria for food products with at least one ingredient having an efficacious effect and developing criteria for food products having a minimum reduction of nutritionally negative food components. Analysis of whether food products satisfy all applicable criteria may be automated in a data processing system.

Abstract: An oat-derived sweetener and methods related thereto are provided. The use of an oat-derived sweetening ingredient allows for the masking of off flavors and sweetening without the use of sugar, sucralose and acesulfame potassium or other sweetening agents that are perceived as being unhealthy. The oat-derived sweetener can be utilized in a number of food products and beverages, including oatmeal.

Abstract: A food product with a temperature-sensitive inclusion, and a method of making the food product with the inclusion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to reduced sugar-content sugar-coated ready-to-eat (RTE) cereals and methods of their preparation. The RTE cereal has a sugar coating comprising from about 56% to about 70% sugar and from about 16% to about 28% maltodextrin. A method of preparing a reduced sugar-content sugar-coated RTE cereal includes providing a cereal base and forming a coating over the cereal base, the coating comprising on a dry weight basis from about 56% to about 70% sugar and from about 16% to about 28% maltodextrin. The coating may also include a fruit flavor and an acidulant. The method may also include drying the coated cereal and actively cooling the dried cereal below the coatings glass transition temperature while agitating the cereal so that the cooled RTE cereal does not form agglomerations of RTE cereal that do not break apart during packaging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to reduced sugar-content sugar-coated ready-to-eat (RTE) cereals and methods of their preparation. The RTE cereal has a sugar coating comprising from about 56% to about 70% sugar and from about 16% to about 28% maltodextrin. A method of preparing a reduced sugar-content sugar-coated RTE cereal includes providing a cereal base and forming a coating over the cereal base, the coating comprising on a dry weight basis from about 56% to about 70% sugar and from about 16% to about 28% maltodextrin. The coating may also include a fruit flavor and an acidulant. The method may also include drying the coated cereal and actively cooling the dried cereal below the coatings glass transition temperature while agitating the cereal so that the cooled RTE cereal does not form agglomerations of RTE cereal that do not break apart during packaging.

Abstract: A method for preparing a hand-held snack item is disclosed. The method includes the steps of (a) applying a first edible, heat-sensitive food material to an initial formed hand-held food item, thereby forming a preliminary coated hand-held food item; (b) applying a second edible food coating material to said preliminary coated hand-held food item, thereby forming a secondary coated hand-held food item, wherein said second edible food material is applied to said preliminary coated hand-held food item in such a manner as to substantially completely coat said first edible, heat-sensitive food material, and wherein said second edible food material is selected from a material which possesses sufficient physical characteristics to act as a protective medium for said first edible, heat-sensitive food material when said secondary coated hand-held food item is subjected to a temperature in the range of from about 35° C. to about 350° C.

Abstract: A food product comprising a fizz component that causes the product to fizz or have an effervescent effect upon addition of aqueous liquid.

Abstract: A ready-to-eat cereal is provided. The ready-to-eat cereal product contains encapsulated flavor particles throughout the dough of the product that withstand a cooker/extruder and rupture upon human mastication. The encapsulated flavor particles provide a delayed and intense flavor to the consumer.

Abstract: A drinkable food product comprises a liquid and a hydrolyzed, dried, agglomerated grain powder.

Abstract: A method of making a color-stable, cooked, flour-based food that is, for example, a RTE cereal or snack food that can be colored red with all natural ingredients is provided. A colored flour mixture is provided that is colored with natural ingredients suitable for making a cooked, ready-to-eat, color-stable, color-based food product. The food product may be a ready-to-eat cereal or a snack food, for example. In addition, a color-stable, cooked, ready-to-eat, flour-based food product that can be colored red with natural ingredients is provided.

Abstract: A food product is provided which is efficiently prepared for eating. The food product includes a grain-based food product such as instant oatmeal. A liquid is added to the instant oatmeal and heated with a steam. The use of steam shortens preparation time to about 45 to 60 seconds.

Abstract: A method and device for producing a multicolored food piece includes providing a flow stream of a first food mass that has a first color. The first flow stream of the first food mass is injected with a second food mass that has color that is different in color, or in hue, than the first food mass. Thereafter the food mass flow stream is divided into a plurality of sub-streams and is extruded through a die port.

Abstract: A grain-based food product comprising a grain-based component covered by a moisture-sensitive powder layer and a binding layer adhering the powder layer to the grain-based component. The binding layer is chosen so that the powder layer can later disperse into a liquid that is added just prior to consumption. The powder layer comprises a component of interest to make the product more interesting to consume. For example, the component of interest can be chosen to produce a difference in color, appearance, texture or flavor of the food product in the presence of a liquid, such as milk or water.