Abstract: Solid edible nutritional compositions or products which are fortified with one or more iron (II) mineral sources, and include one or more of ascorbic acid, edible ascorbic acid salts, erythorbic acid, or edible erythorbic acid salts as high ferric ion reducing agents which are physically and/or chemically separated to minimize chemical interaction in the presence of ambient moisture.

Abstract: Fast dissolving edible solid nutritional supplement compositions having one or more calcium mineral sources, a citric and malic acid component, and an edible carbon dioxide-generating bicarbonate component in an amount sufficient to aid in dispersing the calcium mineral source but without inhibiting the chelate complex formation between the calcium mineral source(s) and the citric and malic acid component. Each of the calcium mineral source(s), the citric and/or malic acid component and bicarbonate component have at least about 90% particulates with a particle size of less than about 74 microns. Also, a method for preparing these compositions.

Abstract: Edible compositions or products which are nutritionally supplemented with one or more iron (II) mineral sources, one or more high ferric ion reducing agents such as ascorbic acid, edible ascorbic acid salts, edible ascorbic acid esters, erythorbic acid, edible erythorbic acid salts, or edible erythorbic acid esters, an edible carboxylic acid component, such as a citric acid and malic acid component, to lower the pH of such products to about 4.5 or less (e.g., about 4.0 or less), and one or more calcium mineral sources which can be solubilized by the edible carboxylic acid component and which ameliorate the sour taste of the edible carboxylic acid component.

Abstract: A calcium-fortified “low juice” concentrate having calcium citrate malate in an amount providing a level of solubilized calcium of at least about 0.2% by weight of the concentrate, and a level of total acids sufficient to impart a pH of about 4.2 or less to the concentrate; an opacifying amount of an emulsified cloud containing an oil phase and a cloud emulsifier in a weight ratio of cloud emulsifier to oil phase of at least about 0.1:1; and an emulsified cloud stabilizer component to stabilize the emulsified cloud component and containing pectin in an amount of at least about 0.01% by weight of the concentrate; and propylene glycol alginate in an amount of at least about 0.03% by weight of the concentrate.

Abstract: A calcium-fortified concentrate having calcium citrate malate in an amount providing a level of solubilized calcium of at least about 0.2% by weight of the concentrate, and a level of total acids sufficient to impart a pH of about 4.2 or less to the concentrate; and a stabilized buffering protein component containing protein in an amount of at least about 0.75% by weight of the concentrate; pectin in an amount of at least about 0.01% by weight of the concentrate; and propylene glycol alginate in an amount of at least about 0.03% by weight of the concentrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a food product comprising: calcium citrate malate in an amount providing a level of solubilized calcium of at least about 0.18% by weight of the product, and a level of total acids of at least about 0.7% by weight of the product; vitamin D in an amount of at least about 10% of the RDA; one or more trace minerals in an amount of at least about 10% of the RDA of each trace mineral provided; and a stabilized buffering protein component in an amount of at least about 0.1% by weight of the product. A method for forming such a calcium and trace mineral fortified product is also provided which uses a stabilized acidified buffering protein component.

Abstract: An all-purpose plastic shortening exhibiting a reduced concentration of saturates is disclosed. Said low-saturate shortening consists essentially of (a) about 10% to about 30% intermediate-melting fat; (b) about 5% to about 14% fully- or substantially-hydrogenated hardstock; (c) about 50% to about 84% unhydrogenated or partially-hydrogenated base oil; and (d) about 0.5% to about 10% of an emulsifier. Said intermediate-melting fat comprises from about 14% to about 35% C.sub.12 -C.sub.18 saturated fatty acids; at least about 8% C.sub.16 saturated fatty acids (by percentage of total fat); at least about 60% of all double bonds in the trans-configuration; at least about 40% solids (SFC) at 21.1.degree. C. (70.degree. F.); no more than about 5% C.sub.18:2 fatty acids; and has an iodine value of about 55 to about 75. Said hardstock contains at least about 33% C.sub.16 saturated fatty acids and has an iodine value of about 12 or less. Said base oil comprises no more than about 11% C.sub.12 -C.sub.

Abstract: An unsaturated or low saturated frying oil which imparts the beefy or tallow flavor to foods that is characteristic of animal fats is disclosed. This oil is made by a process of esterifying glycerine with the unsaturated fraction of animal fat and then deodorizing or refining the resultant triglyceride. The unsaturated fraction of the animal fat contains minor fatty acids which produce this flavor on heating. Usually less than 5 mg of cholesterol/100 gm is in the oil.

Abstract: A process for the selective esterification of long chain length fatty acid monoglycerides, particularly monobehenin, with medium chain length fatty acids, particularly a mixture of C.sub.8 and C.sub.10 saturated fatty acids, is disclosed. In this process, an at least about 60% pure C.sub.18 -C.sub.24 fatty acid monoglyceride or mixture thereof is esterified with an at least about 90% pure C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 fatty acid or mixture thereof at a temperature of from about 140.degree. to about 250.degree. C. in the substantial absence of an esterification catalyst. The mole ratio of fatty acid to monoglyceride used in this monoglyceride esterification is at least about 3:1. Water generated during this monoglyceride esterification is also continuously removed.

Abstract: An unsaturated or low saturated frying oil which imparts the beefy or tallow flavor to foods that is characteristic of animal fats is disclosed. This oil is made by a process of esterifying glycerine with the unsaturated fraction of animal fat and then deodorizing or refining the resultant triglyceride. The unsaturated fraction of the animal fat contains minor fatty acids which produce this flavor on heating. Usually less than 5 mg of cholesterol/100 gm is in the oil.

Abstract: Hardstock fat compositions of the present invention are comprise triacylglycerides containing one linoleic acid acyl group (C.sub.18:2) and two acyl groups independently selected from C.sub.18:0 -C.sub.26:0 saturated fatty acyl groups. The hardstock fats are essentially free of cholesterolemic C.sub.12:0 -C.sub.16:0 saturated fatty acids, yet retain all of the desirable characteristics which those cholesterolemic fatty acids impart. The hardstock fats are useful as components in comestible products, particularly in plastic shortenings.

Abstract: Reduced calorie edible fats and oils comprising triglycerides synthesized (tailored) with a particular combination of saturated medium chain fatty acids, saturated long chain fatty acids, and unsaturated long chain fatty acids are disclosed. In addition to providing caloric reduction, these tailored triglycerides also have acceptable autoignition characteristics making them suitable for use in shortenings and cooking oils.