Abstract: The disclosure provides a process for producing a ready-to-eat (RTE) fruit food product, comprising: obtaining a quantity of granulated fruit meal; and forming the fruit meal into a predetermined shaped product, comprising: applying a heat sufficient to cause the fruit meal to become tacky; and applying a compressive force to the tacky fruit meal to form the predetermined shape. In one embodiment, the process can use a mold to form the predetermined shape. Importantly, the fruit food product can be formed into a stable predetermined shaped product independent of baking the product. The heat sufficient to cause the fruit meal to be come tacky generally causes the fruit meal to be between 80° F. (27° C.) to 200° F. (93° C.). For example, the compressive force can between 1 pound force (0.4 kilograms) to 16 pounds force (7.3 kilograms) for an exemplary 2 inch (5 cm) cookie/biscuit.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a process for producing a ready-to-eat (RTE) fruit food product, comprising: obtaining a quantity of granulated fruit meal; and forming the fruit meal into a predetermined shaped product, comprising: applying a heat sufficient to cause the fruit meal to become tacky; and applying a compressive force to the tacky fruit meal to form the predetermined shape. In one embodiment, the process can use a mold to form the predetermined shape. Importantly, the fruit food product can be formed into a stable predetermined shaped product independent of baking the product. The heat sufficient to cause the fruit meal to be come tacky generally causes the fruit meal to be between 80° F. (27° C.) to 200° F. (93° C.). For example, the compressive force can between 1 pound force (0.4 kilograms) to 16 pounds force (7.3 kilograms) for an exemplary 2 inch (5 cm) cookie/biscuit.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides ready-to-eat (RTE), shelf-stable processed foods composed of up to 100% fruit and the system and process for their manufacture. The product, system, and process uses dried fruit in some form as an in-feed material, having a higher moisture content than heretofore has been suitable for extruder in-feed ingredients, thus retaining at least a portion of the natural volatile materials that contribute to taste and aromas. Further, the dried fruit is extruded and can be dried into crispy, crunchy, chewy, or hard particles or pieces high in fruit content that heretofore have been unavailable, and the products and process can be independent of starch and grain based prior technology. The products of the present disclosure can be eaten as healthy snacks or used as high-fruit-content additives in RTE cereals, baking mixes, toppings, and other food products. The process provides a high degree of efficiency and reduced costs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a package for the automatic control of the degree of cooking of a cereal, and more particularly, to cereal cooked in hot water. The invention also relates to a method for the automatic control of the degree of cooking of a cereal, as well as to a container for the automatic control of the degree of cooking of a cereal.

Abstract: A process for dyeing foods with oxidation-sensitive natural colors such as betalaine or anthocyanin plant extracts, wherein the food is adjusted, if necessary, to an SO.sub.2 content of a maximum of 30 ppm, and a pH value below 7.0, the food in enough water to cover the food is placed in a sealable container, substantially all air in the container is removed, and an oxidation-sensitive natural color is added to the container contents. The container is then sealed, while maintaining air exclusion therefrom, and stored, preferably under ambient conditions.