Abstract: The invention provides continuous methods for preparing a fermented dairy product, the methods including steps of fermenting a dairy base with agitation while measuring the viscosity change of the fermentation mixture until an initial fermented dairy base having a target viscosity is achieved. The initial fermented dairy base is then preferably further fermented to a final fermented dairy base without agitation.

Abstract: Embodiments for optimization of at least one previously established rail shipment of a commodity are described herein. More specifically, one embodiment of a method includes receiving data related to a first previously established rail shipment the first previously established rail shipment established via a first supplier and exchanging at least a portion of the first previously established rail shipment with a second previously established rail shipment.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved, intermediate moisture sweetened gelled food compositions fortified with calcium supplied by calcium phosphate that is dispersed in an oil and/or fat. The gelled compositions comprise: A) about 55 to 85% by weight nutritive carbohydrate sweeteners; B) sufficient amounts of a gelling agent(s) to provide a gel strength of about 2-8 kg/cm2; C) about 50 to 1500 mg/oz total calcium; and D) about 9 to 20% moisture, and E) about to 0.1% to 5% of an edible fatty triglyceride. Also disclosed are methods for the preparation of such fruit products involving forming a concentrated slurry of calcium phosphate having a particle size such that at least 90% are less than 150 &mgr;m dispersed in at least a portion of the oil and/or fat, forming a gellable blend and admixing the gellable composition with the slurry to form a gellable calcium fortified composition and forming into desired shaped and sized pieces.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved, intermediate moisture sweetened gelled food compositions fortified with calcium supplied by calcium phosphate that is dispersed in an oil and/or fat. The gelled compositions comprise: A) about 55 to 85% by weight nutritive carbohydrate sweeteners; B) sufficient amounts of a gelling agent(s) to provide a gel strength of about 2-8 kg/cm2; C) about 50 to 1500 mg/oz total calcium; and D) about 9 to 20% moisture, and E) about to 0.1% to 5% of an edible fatty triglyceride. Also disclosed are methods for the preparation of such fruit products involving forming a concentrated slurry of calcium phosphate having a particle size such that at least 90% are less than 150 &mgr;m dispersed in at least a portion of the oil and/or fat, forming a gellable blend and admixing the gellable composition with the slurry to form a gellable calcium fortified composition and forming into desired shaped and sized pieces.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved, intermediate moisture sweetened gelled food compositions fortified with calcium supplied by calcium phosphate. The gelled compositions comprise: A) about 55 to 85% by weight nutritive carbohydrate sweeteners; B) sufficient amounts of a gelling agent(s) to provide a gel strength of about 2-8 kg/cm2; C) about 50 to 1500 mg/oz total calcium; and D) about 9 to 20% moisture. Also disclosed are methods for the preparation of such fruit products involving forming a concentrated slurry of calcium phosphate having a particle size such that at least 90% are less than 150 &mgr;m, forming a gellable blend and admixing the gellable composition with the slurry to form a gellable calcium fortofied composition and forming into desired shaped and sized pieces.

Abstract: Topical applications are provided to the support material (16) before the deposit of the food (14) thereon or to the food (14) after the deposit of the food (14) on the support material (16). Thus, although the food (14) is continuously deposited on the support material (16), the characteristics of the food is varied by contact with the topical application. In the preferred form, the topical applications are in the form of flavors, colorants and/or fortification ingredients and especially temperature sensitive ingredients.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved, intermediate moisture sweetened gelled food compositions fortified with calcium supplied by calcium phosphate. The gelled compositions comprise: A) about 55 to 85% by weight nutritive carbohydrate sweeteners; B) sufficient amounts of a gelling agent(s) to provide a gel strength of about 2-8 kg/cm.sup.2 ; C) about 50 to 1500 mg/oz total calcium; and D) about 9 to 20% moisture. Also disclosed are methods for the preparation of such fruit products involving forming a concentrated slurry of calcium phosphate having a particle size such that at least 90% are less than 150 .mu.m, forming a gellable blend and admixing the gellable composition with the slurry to form a gellable calcium fortofied composition and forming into desired shaped and sized pieces.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved, intermediate moisture sweetened fruit compositions fortified with calcium supplied by calcium phosphate. The fruit compositions comprise: A) about 5 to 65% by weight of fruit solids; B) about 0.1 to 85% of carbohydrates; C) about 180 to 1500 mg/oz total calcium; and D) about 9 to 20% moisture. Also disclosed are methods for the preparation of such fruit products involving forming a concentrated slurry of calcium phosphate having a particle size such that at least 90% are less than 150 .mu.m, forming a wet blend of fruit ingredients, drying the wet blend to 9 to 20% moisture and admixing the dried fruit composition while warm with the slurry to form a dried sweetened calcium composition and forming into desired shaped and sized pieces.