Abstract: Thermally processing seafood, e.g., shrimp, sardines, or salmon, in the presence of a mixture of an acid and its lactones, preferably a mixture of an aldonic acid and its lactones whereby, without need for salt, the texture and flavor of the seafood are maintained through thermal processing and storage. Also, a package having a thermally processed seafood product and gluconic acid therein. The preferred mixture is obtained by combining the seafood with glucono-delta lactone, and the mixture is comprised of gluconic acid with its lactones, glucono-delta lactone and glucono-gamma lactone.

Abstract: Low acid heat-sensitive foodstuffs, such as low acid heat-sensitive vegetables and cereal grain products, are thermally processed in the presence of a mixture of an acid and its lactones, preferably an aldonic acid with its lactones, the acid of which makes possible a considerably reduced commercial sterilizing parameter whereby more of the flavor, color, or texture of the foodstuff is retained, and is closer to that of the freshly harvested home-cooked product, compared to the foodstuff processed at a more severe parameter when the acid is not employed. The type and level of the acid employed and its presence with its lactones results in a thermally processed foodstuff which does not have an objectionable acid taste. The preferred mixture is gluconic acid with its lactones, glucono-delta lactone and glucono-gamma lactone, provided to the foodstuff by combining it with a precursor of gluconic acid, preferably glucono-delta lactone.

Abstract: Low acid heat-sensitive foodstuffs, such as low acid heat-sensitive vegetables and cereal grain products, are thermally processed in the presence of a mixture of an acid and its lactones, preferably an aldonic acid with its lactones, the acid of which makes possible a considerably reduced commercial sterilizing parameter whereby more of the flavor, color, or texture of the foodstuff is retained, and is closer to that of the freshly harvested home-cooked product, compared to the foodstuff processed at a more severe parameter when the acid is not employed. The type and level of the acid employed and its presence with its lactones results in a thermally processed foodstuff which does not have an objectionable acid taste. The preferred mixture is gluconic acid with its lactones, glucono-delta lactone and glucono-gamma lactone, provided to the foodstuff by combining it with a precursor of gluconic acid, preferably glucono-delta lactone.