Abstract: A novel meat extender composition for boosting the nutritional value of meat contains a four component dry mix system of whey protein concentrate, maltodextrin, a starch and non-fat dry milk. Additional vitamins, minerals, spices and a flavor enhancer may also be added to improve the organoleptic characteristics of the meat which is preferably ground or chopped for easier consumption.

Abstract: A caffeine replacement composition including a first plant extract portion containing at least one flavoglycoside selected from the group consisting of quercetin, quercetagetin, ginkgetin, biloba, isorhamnetin, kaempferol, rutin, isoginkgetin, ginnol, and mixtures thereof; a second plant extract portion containing Ginkgolactones; and a third plant extract portion containing a component selected from the group consisting of puerarin, acetylpuerarin, puerarin-xyloside and combinations thereof. These extracts are preferably obtained from Ginkgo biloba and kudzu (Pueraria).

Abstract: A stable mixture of milk, juice, and polysaccharide/cereal is disclosed. In a preferred version of the present invention, composition containing an amino acid, an organic or inorganic acid and a metal ion is added to further stabilize the milk proteins in the mixture.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method and apparatus for treating a low acid food product. The low acid food product is first acidified to produce an acidified food product and then packaged as the acidified food product. The acidifying step comprises addition of a GRAS acid to adjust the pH to below about 4.5. The acidified food product is then deacidified to return the acidified food product to the low acid food product having a pH above 4.6. The deacidification is accomplished through the addition of an alkaline substance in an amount sufficient to deacidify the acidified food product to a pH of from about 5.8 to about 7.5.

Abstract: Dairy or non-dairy based fortified carbonated beverage solutions that supply essential nutrients in the human diet. The solution contains per 354 ml, calcium, magnesium and potassium ions in the form of salts and optionally vitamins A, D, C and folic acid in specified amounts to provide dietary supplementation. Sweeteners, stabilizers, flavors and carbonation can also be added to enhance flavor, taste, mouth-feel, ingredient solubilization and product appearance. A method of making the beverages is also described.

Abstract: Premium quality intermediate moisture vegetables and methods for preparing such vegetables are provided. The premium quality intermediate moisture vegetables are prepared by (a) infusing vegetables with an antimicrobial infusion cocktail at a temperature of greater than about 50° F. for about 15 to about 180 minutes, wherein the antimicrobial infusion cocktail comprises an aqueous solution of (1) a water-soluble, predominantly lower molecular weight, low sweetness carbohydrate, (2) a polyhydric alcohol, (3) salt, (4) a non-inorganic sweetness depressant agent, and (5) nisin-containing whey derived from a nisin-producing culture; (b) collecting the vegetables and removing excess antimicrobial infusion cocktail; (c) drying the collected vegetables to a water activity of about 0.5 to about 0.9 to form the intermediate moisture vegetables; and (d) packaging the intermediate moisture vegetables. After drying to a water activity of about 0.5 to about 0.

Abstract: A process for forming a syrup product that is suitable for use as a non-dairy frozen confection. The non-dairy frozen confection exhibits selected sweetness, texture, and mouthfeel characteristics while being devoid of exogenous sweeteners, stabilizers, emulsifiers, and proteins. The process includes blending a base formulation and water to form a slurry, the base formulation having a major amount of an oat material or waxy barley hybrid flour. The process also includes liquefying and saccharifying the slurry to produce the syrup product.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a novel processed cranberry product which maintains the spherical form of the cranberry, and a process suitable for producing such a novel processed food. The processed cranberry product according to the present invention comprises the spherical skin of the cranberry filled with a softened and sweetened sarcocarp, and can be advantageously produced in a process in which a plurality of holes are provided through the skin of frozen cranberries by puncturing treatment, then the cranberries are immersed in a sugar solution having a sugar content of 45 to 65 degrees and heated until the sarcocarp is softened.

Abstract: A method for producing low potassium juice with improved taste. The process includes the steps of treating potassium-containing juice with a cation exchange resin to remove 90% or more of the potassium content in the juice and adding a calcium compound which is calcium carbonate in the form of solid. The juice produced has improved taste and nutritional balance. It is also good for patients suffering from kidney failure.

Abstract: A high pressure process and system for the production of fresh whole corn masa, nixtamalized whole corn flour, and derivates wherein dry corn grains are transported by means of an elevator to a series of cleaning screens to separate impurities and foreign material before they are subjected to a cooking step. The corn grains as well as lime and water are fed continuously to a cooking device, which is subjected under a combination of pressure and temperature, to reduce the time of cooking of the whole corn grains. So, nixtamalized corn grains are obtained for the preparation of fresh whole corn masa and nixtamalized whole corn flour for tortillas, tortilla chips or the like.

Abstract: This invention relates to powder products of ginkgo leaves and its manufacturing processes, which includes crushing ginkgo leaves capable of maintaining various effects like healing intestinal disorder, which are typical of fibrous material, including fiber or food fiber in good quantity and exhibiting good effects of improvement of bloodstream by flavonol compounds without decreasing the compounds contained in the ginkgo leaves, by the steps of drying ginkgo leaves which have been washed and sliced, and of obtaining a specific form of crushed leaves of ginkgo after drying.

Abstract: A grain product is provided that contains flaked grains stabilized in a solid foam matrix that contains no added fat and cohesively binds together the flaked grains. The solid foam matrix has an expanded volume formed by introduction of a gas, which may be formed in situ by evolution of a gas upon reaction of at least one gas-releasing compound with at least one material selected from the group consisting of an acid or an acidic salt when the foam matrix materials are in a fluid state. Preferably, the gas-releasing compound is a leavening agent or virtually any chemical compound that, by reaction with another compound, results in the evolution of a gas in a sufficient amount to form the desired liquid foam that can be dried or cured to form a solid foam matrix. The flaked grain product typically having a density in the range of from about 22 lb/ft3 to about 31 lb/ft3.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the formulation and process for producing a universal fruit base, which is an apple mash-polysaccharide mixture to which fruit puree(s) and optionally concentrated fruit juice(s) are to be added to form beverage concentrates. The beverage concentrates are to be diluted with water and/or fruit juice(s) to create supreme, distinctive, refreshing, healthy, creamy, smooth, thick, non-gummy and non-settling fruit beverages (smoothies). The resulting beverages possess hydrated cellular particulates, which are stabilized by modified starch and xanthan gum and thus sedimentation of particulates does not occur during the storage of the resulting beverages. Homogenization is not required for particulate stabilization. Pasteurization and sterilization of the resulting beverages can be carried out without the loss of textural and flavour quality attributes and without particulate destabilization and sedimentation.

Abstract: A method of treating whey for demineralization purposes, the method comprising a stage of separating out salts by transfer through electrodialysis or nanofiltration membranes, wherein, upstream from this separation stage, the method comprises in succession at least one step of exchanging divalent cations for protons and at least one step of exchanging divalent anions for chloride ions.

Abstract: Improved wheat milling processes for the production of white flour involves selecting a hard white wheat variety for milling, milling the hard white wheat into white patent flour, isolating a high bran stream, size reducing the high bran stream and sifting the size reduced high bran stream into a fine bran and bran flour fractions. The bran flour fraction is then blended with the white patent flour to form a high fiber finish flour which nonetheless is characterized by a white color. The wheat milling processes provide improvements in current wheat milling to increase the milling extraction rate for flour without a decrease in flour quality.

Abstract: A method for making fruit and vegetables purees includes selecting raw produce of the type having meat with a cell structure that is not ruptured by cooking or macerating, and seeds and/or skins. The seeds and/or skins are separated from the meat at substantially ambient temperature by extruding the meat through perforations to form a cold break. The cold break is heated to a temperature which cooks the same into a puree. The puree is then finished to the desired texture and consistency.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved orange juice products and processes of preparing the products. Included is a natural enhancement powder which originates from the flavedo of citrus peel such as orange peel or tangerine peel. The peel flavedo is dried and reduced in particle size and added as a powder to the orange juice in order to enhance the juice, such as raise the Color Value of the orange juice, typically by at least 1 OJ Index unit or more. By this approach, an orange juice which is Grade B in color is changed into an orange juice which meets Grade A color criteria. Other juice enhancements also are realized.

Abstract: A novel encapsulated product is provided and includes: at least one active ingredient; at least one compressible material; and at least one tableting material; wherein the encapsulated product is in the form of a caplet having a diameter of from about 1 millimeter to about 7 millimeters and a length from about 1 millimeter to about 7 millimeters. A method for preparing the encapsulated product is also provided. The encapsulated product may be incorporated into a food item, a soft confectionery product, a hard confectionery product, a jelly gum confectionery product, and a dry beverage or chewing gum product.

Abstract: A water continuous dairy product is provided that is suitable for cold and hot use and that is stable when incorporated in hot or sour food dishes. It has a dry matter content of 25-40%, a fat content of 13-27%, a protein content of at least 4.5% and a pH of 4.2-5.2. It can be prepared by a process that comprises acidifying a cream having a fat content of at least 25% and a non-fat milk solids content of at least 6.5% to cause the pH of the cream to become 4.0-5.2 and preparing a mixture comprising 30-70% of the acidified cream and 30-70% of fresh acid-coagulated curd having a pH of 4.2-5.2. Preferably the mixture is homogenized.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved pediatric formula and methods for providing nutrition to and enhancing tolerance in pediatric patients. The formula may be provided in powder, concentrate or ready-to-feed forms. The pediatric formula comprises, based on a 100 kcal basis, about 8 to about 16 grams carbohydrate (preferably about 9.4 to about 12.3 grams), about 3 to about 6 grams lipid (preferably about 4.7 to about 5.6 grams), about 1.8 to about 3.3 grams protein (preferably about 2.4 to about 3.3 grams), and a tolerance improver comprising about 37 to about 370 milligrams (preferably about 74 to about 222 milligrams, more preferably about 111 to about 148 milligrams) xanthan gum.