Abstract: The present invention comprises a gel-stabilized foam for use in food products. Foam bubbles are stabilized by either a continuous gel coating or a particulate gel coating created under high shear conditions. The foam is viscous and shelf-stable, and can be combined with a viscous food product to lower its caloric density and improve its organoleptic properties.

Abstract: A method for producing dual-textured frozen food products allows for the quick preparation of snack-sized frozen food products that maintain a crunchy exterior when heated for consumption within a microwave or an oven. The method uses increased total frying steps to fully fry the food product prior to freezing and packaging steps. By adding components such as alginate, calcium, carboxyl methyl cellulose, calcium dihydrogen diphosphate, and high amylose corn starch into the interior core, batter, and breading, and/or predust, moisture is better maintained within the interior. The resulting heated dual-textured food product has an exterior mimicking that of oil fried breaded food products despite its moist interior.

Abstract: A method for producing dual-textured frozen food products allows for the quick preparation of snack-sized frozen food products that maintain a crunchy exterior when heated for consumption within a microwave or an oven. The method uses increased total frying steps to fully fry the food product prior to freezing and packaging steps. By adding components such as alginate, calcium, carboxyl methyl cellulose, calcium dihydrogen diphosphate, and high amylose corn starch into the interior core, batter, and breading, and/or predust, moisture is better maintained within the interior. The resulting heated dual-textured food product has an exterior mimicking that of oil fried breaded food products despite its moist interior.

Abstract: A composition and method for an improved stuffed fry or other cooked food product. Stuffed fries can be made, for example, by coextruding a substrate and filling in a desired ratio to form an extrudate, then cutting, crimping, par frying, freezing, and final frying the extrudate. One composition for stuffed fries comprises a fried substrate that is made from a dough with crimped ends. One composition comprises potatoes, corn syrup, or water in specific weight percentages. One composition for the filling of the stuffed fries is a low moisture filling. One composition comprises at least one gum to reduce free water in the filling and/or substrate by binding to the water in the filling and/or substrate.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a gel-stabilized foam for use in food products. Foam bubbles are stabilized by either a continuous gel coating or a particulate gel coating created under high shear conditions. The foam is viscous and shelf-stable, and can be combined with a viscous food product to lower its caloric density and improve its organoleptic properties.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a gel-stabilized foam for use in food products. Foam bubbles are stabilized by either a continuous gel coating or a particulate gel coating created under high shear conditions. The foam is viscous and shelf-stable, and can be combined with a viscous food product to lower its caloric density and improve its organoleptic properties.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a gel-stabilized foam for use in food products. Foam bubbles are stabilized by either a continuous gel coating or a particulate gel coating created under high shear conditions. The foam is viscous and shelf-stable, and can be combined with a viscous food product to lower its caloric density and improve its organoleptic properties.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for producing a multi-phase food product by processing different phases of the food product in separate streams using different processing conditions for each stream. The separate streams are combined to produce the multi-phase food product.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing shelf-stable guacamole. A number of hurdles to the contamination of the guacamole are put into place during mixing, packaging, and post-packaging processing. Antimicrobial additives are added during mixing. The amount of oxygen allowed inside the guacamole container is reduced during packaging. After packaging, the guacamole is subjected to high pressure and mild thermal processing.

Abstract: Methods and coating compositions are provided for producing an acid coated drinking straw or confectionery article. The method includes heating a food grade acid composition to a temperature sufficient for the acid composition to become fluid; applying the fluid acid to a surface of a drinking straw or confectionery substrate; and then cooling the acid coated drinking straw or acid coated confectionery substrate to a temperature sufficient to immobilize the acid composition on the surface. The food grade acid composition can comprise, for example, about 40 to 100 weight percent food grade acid (such as citric acid, phosphoric acid, malic acid, or a mixture thereof), 0 to about 5 weight percent surface tension reducing agent, 0 to about 30 weight percent plasticizer, 0 to about 20 weight percent bulk agent, and 0 to about 30 weight percent water.

Abstract: A coating device for coating an interior surface of a continuous tube of material with a fluid. The coating device includes an extruder die for forming the continuous tube of material and a fluid delivery system. The fluid delivery system is positioned within the extruder die so as to introduce the fluid onto the interior surface of the continuous tube of material.

Abstract: Methods and coating compositions are provided for producing an acid coated drinking straw or confectionery article. Acid coated drinking straws and acid coated confectionery articles are also provided. The method includes heating a food grade acid composition to a temperature sufficient for the acid composition to become fluid; applying the fluid acid to a surface of a drinking straw or confectionery substrate; and then cooling the acid coated drinking straw or acid coated confectionery substrate to a temperature sufficient to immobilize the acid composition on the surface. The food grade acid composition can comprise, for example, about 40 to 100 weight percent food grade acid (such as citric acid, phosphoric acid, malic acid, or a mixture thereof), 0 to about 5 weight percent surface tension reducing agent, 0 to about 30 weight percent plasticizer, 0 to about 20 weight percent bulk agent, and 0 to about 30 weight percent water.

Abstract: A defoaming apparatus (22) defoams a foamable product that is dispersed into a container such as a TETRA REX gable-top carton (80). The defoaming apparatus (22) creates a sonic shock wave (110) that destroys most if not all of the bubbles of the foamable product. The defoaming apparatus (22) has a body (100) that defines a recessed cavity (102). A pair of electrodes (106, 108) is located within the recessed cavity (102). The opening to the cavity (102) can include a radio frequency filter (114) covering to absorb radio waves created from the sonic shock wave (110). The defoaming apparatus (22) is preferably disposed immediately after the filling of the container (80).

Abstract: A coating device for coating an interior surface of a continuous tube of material with a fluid. The coating device includes an extruder die for forming the continuous tube of material and a fluid delivery system. The fluid delivery system is positioned within the extruder die so as to introduce the fluid onto the interior surface of the continuous tube of material.