Abstract: A process of cooling animal carcasses from a kill temperature to a temperature at which deterioration is substantially prevented comprises circulation of refrigerated air over the carcass to freeze an outer of the carcass, followed by application of water to the carcass to form a sufficiently continuous layer of ice on the carcass. Preferably, the carcass is chilled by a multi-stage quick chill process in which the carcass is exposed to super-cooled, high velocity air. Immediately before or immediately after formation of the ice layer, the carcass is transferred to a refrigerated chamber to allow the interior and exterior of the carcass to equilibrate to the temperature at which deterioration is substantially prevented. The inventors have found that this process provides reduced moisture loss and reduced bacterial loading over prior art processes in which water is applied to the carcass during the quick chill process.

Abstract: A process for cooling animal carcasses from a kill temperature to a temperature at which deterioration is substantially prevented comprises circulation of refrigerated air over the carcass to freeze an outer layer of the carcass, followed by application of water to the carcass to form a sufficiently continuous layer of ice on the carcass. Preferably, the carcass is chilled by a multi-stage quick chill process in which the carcass is exposed to super-cooled, high velocity air. Immediately before or immediately after formation of the ice layer, the carcass is transferred to a refrigerated chamber to allow the interior and exterior of the carcass to equilibrate to the temperature at which deterioration is substantially prevented. The inventors have found that this process provides reduced moisture loss and reduced bacterial loading over prior art processes in which water is applied to the carcass during the quick chill process.