Abstract: A preferred process for forming texturized pieces of a meat or meat-analog product includes mixing animal protein, vegetable protein, or a mixture thereof with alginate, sodium tripolyphosphate, and water, thereby forming an initial mixture, and mixing the initial mixture with calcium sulfate, thereby forming a secondary mixture. A preferred process also includes introducing a calcium-chloride solution to the secondary mixture, thereby forming a tertiary mixture, shaping the tertiary mixture into pre-formed pieces, and tumbling the pre-formed pieces to form the texturized pieces.

Abstract: A concentrated aqueous alkali metal polyphosphate solution is prepared by adding polyphosphoric acid having a P.sub.2 O.sub.5 assay of about 82% to about 85% to a quantity of concentrated aqueous alkali metal hydroxide sufficient to neutralize the acid. The resulting polyphosphate solution is richer in pyrophosphate and tripolyphosphate moieties than the acid.