SMOKELESS DISSOLVABLE COMPRESSED TOBACCO PRODUCT

Abstract

A smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product having a total aerobic microbial count of less than 2 log cfu/g is made by pasteurizing a tobacco component so as to reduce the total aerobic microbial count thereof to less than 2 log cfu/g and the total yeast and mold count thereof to less than 2 log cfu/g. The pasteurized tobacco component is mixed with one or more non-tobacco components before being compressed to form the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to European Application No. 09250218.6, filed Jan. 28, 2009, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by this reference thereto.

BACKGROUND

A number of oral smokeless non-dissolvable tobacco products that include an insoluble residual component that is disposed of by a consumer after use are known in the art. Known smokeless non-dissolvable tobacco products include: plug, twist, and loose leaf chewing tobacco; dry snuff; moist snuff, which typically contains finely cut fermented moist tobacco; loose or portioned snus, which typically contains finely ground moist tobacco; and tobacco-containing chewing gum.

A number of oral smokeless dissolvable tobacco products that dissolve in the mouth of a consumer are also known. Amongst these are smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco products in the form of pills, tablets and lozenges, which include powdered or ground tobacco together with other ingredients.

Raw, unprocessed tobacco may contain increased levels of viable bacteria. As smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco products dissolve and the tobacco in such products is ingested by the consumer, it would be desirable to provide an improved method for treating a smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product for oral use.

The present invention relates to an oral smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product.

Summary of Selected Aspects

A smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product includes a pasteurized tobacco component. Preferably, the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product has a total aerobic microbial count of less than 2 log cfu/g. Also preferably, the pasteurized tobacco component includes particulate tobacco with an average particle size ranging from about 100 nm to about 0.5 mm. In the preferred embodiment, the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product can also include one or more non-tobacco components selected from the group consisting of: acidity regulators, buffering agents, fillers, binders, gelling agents, lubricants, anti-adherents, glidants, disintegration agents, sweeteners, flavorants, taste enhancers and colorants. Preferably, the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product includes at least one binder or filler, at least one lubricant, anti-adherent or glidant, at least one acidity regulator, at least one flavorant, and at least one sweetener. Also preferably, the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product can include one or more of a gelling agent, a taste enhancer, a colorant, and a disintegration agent.

A method of making a smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product having a total aerobic microbial count of less than 2 log cfu/g includes the steps of: pasteurizing a tobacco component so as to reduce the total aerobic microbial count thereof to less than 2 log cfu/g and the total yeast and mold count thereof to less than 2 log cfu/g; mixing the pasteurized tobacco component with one or more non-tobacco components; and compressing the pasteurized tobacco component and one or more non-tobacco components to form a smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product. Preferably, the step of pasteurizing the tobacco component includes direct heating of the tobacco by hot steam injection to a temperature ranging from about 100° C. to about 120° C. for a period ranging from about 1 minute to about 30 minutes. Also preferably, the step of pasteurizing the tobacco component includes direct heating of the tobacco component by repeated hot steam injection to temperatures of at least about 100° C. Moreover, the method can also include the step of adjusting the pH of the pasteurized tobacco component to about 7.5 and about 8.9 prior to compressing the pasteurized tobacco component and one or more non-tobacco components to form the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals are applied to like elements and wherein:

FIGS. 1(a), 1(b), and 1(c) show perspective, side and top views, respectively, of a first embodiment of a smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product;

FIGS. 2(a), 2(b), and 2(c) show perspective, side and top views, respectively, of a second embodiment of a smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product;

FIGS. 3(a), 3(b), and 3(c) show perspective, side and top views, respectively, of a third embodiment of a smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product;

FIGS. 4(a), 4(b), and 4(c) show perspective, side and top views, respectively, of a fourth embodiment of a smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product;

FIGS. 5(a), 5(b), and 5(c) show perspective, side and top views, respectively, of a fifth embodiment of a smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product;

FIGS. 6(a), 6(b), and 6(c) show perspective, side and top views, respectively, of a sixth embodiment of a smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product;

FIGS. 7(a), 7(b), and 7(c) show perspective, side and top views, respectively, of a seventh embodiment of a smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product;

FIGS. 8(a), 8(b), and 8(c) show perspective, side and top views, respectively, of an eighth embodiment of a smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product;

FIGS. 9(a), 9(b), and 9(c) show perspective, side and top views, respectively, of a ninth embodiment of a smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product;

FIGS. 10(a), 10(b), and 10(c) show perspective, side and top views, respectively, of a tenth embodiment of a smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product;

FIGS. 11(a), 11(b), and 11(c) show perspective, side and top views, respectively, of an eleventh embodiment of a smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product; and

FIGS. 12(a), 12(b), and 12(c) show perspective, side and top views, respectively, of a twelfth embodiment of a smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In a preferred embodiment, a smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product includes a pasteurized tobacco component. Preferably, the substantially aseptic smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product has a total aerobic microbial count (also known as “TAMC”) of less than 2 log cfu/g, i.e., log₁₀ cfu/g, where cfu/g is the value of conventionally measured colony forming units per gram.

Also preferably, a method of making a smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product having a total aerobic microbial count of less than 2 log cfu/g includes the step of pasteurizing a tobacco component to reduce the total aerobic microbial count to less than 2 log cfu/g and the total yeast and mold count to less than 2 log cfu/g. The method also includes the steps of mixing the pasteurized tobacco component with one or more non-tobacco components, and compressing the pasteurized tobacco component and one or more non-tobacco components to form a smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product.

For the purposes of the invention, the total aerobic microbial count is measured in accordance with the Nordic Committee on Food Analysis (NMKL) method No 86, 4. Ed., 2006 and the total yeast and mold count specified is measured in accordance with NMKL method No 98, 4. Ed., 2005. The NMKL method No 86, 4. Ed., 2006 is used to determine the aerobic plate count by preparing a dilution series of sample material according to general microbiological principles, followed by pour-plating into an agar medium in Petri dishes. In this method, the samples are incubated under aerobic conditions at either 30° C. for 3 days, 20° C. for 3 days, or 6.5° C. for 10 days. In the NMKL method No 98, 4. Ed., 2005, the yeast and mold count is determined by surface inoculation of appropriate dilution series on dichloran rose bengal agar (DRBC), dichloran glycerol agar (DG18) or oxytetracykline glucose yeast extract agar (OGYE) dependent on which matrix are analysed. In this method, mold and yeast are counted after incubation at 22-25.0+/−1.0° C. for 5-7 days.

The tobacco component may be pasteurized using any suitable technique provided that the pasteuriation parameters such as temperature and time are sufficient to reduce the total aerobic microbial count of the tobacco component to less than 2 log cfu/g and the total yeast and mold count of the tobacco component to less than 2 log cfu/g to render the tobacco component substantially aseptic.

Suitable pasteurization techniques include, but are not limited to, single hot steam injection, repeated hot steam injection and indirect heating. Preferably, the tobacco component is pasteurized by hot steam injection, more preferably by repeated hot steam injection.

Preferably, the step of pasteurizing the tobacco component includes direct heating of the tobacco by hot steam injection to a temperature ranging from about 100° C. to about 120° C. for a period ranging from about 1 minute tod about 30 minutes. More preferably, the step of pasteurizing the tobacco component includes direct heating of the tobacco component by repeated hot steam injection to temperatures of at least about 100° C.

As well as reducing the total aerobic microbial count and the total yeast and mold count of the tobacco component, the heat treatment of the tobacco component during pasteurization advantageously results in the formation of tobacco-derived flavorings.

In the preferred embodiment, the tobacco component may be pasteurized together with water. Alternatively, or in addition, the tobacco component may be pasteurized with one or more other additives approved for use in the food industry, including, but not limited to, sodium chloride, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, propylene glycol, glycerol and combinations thereof.

Preferably, the pH of the pasteurized tobacco component may be adjusted prior to compressing the pasteurized tobacco component and one or more non-tobacco components to form the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product.

Also preferably, the pH of the pasteurized tobacco component is adjusted to between about 7.5 and about 8.9. The pH of the pasteurized tobacco component may be adjusted through the addition of one or more acidity regulators. Suitable acidity regulators approved for use in the food industry are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: alkali carbonates, such as sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate; calcium carbonate; alkali hydroxides, such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide; calcium hydroxide; magnesium hydroxide; and combinations thereof.

Preferably the pH of the pasteurized tobacco component is adjusted prior to mixing the pasteurized tobacco component with the one or more non-tobacco components.

However, alternatively or in addition, the pH of the pasteurized tobacco component may be adjusted by mixing the pasteurized tobacco component with one or more non-tobacco components including at least one acidity regulator or buffering agent.

In the preferred embodiment, the tobacco component may include one or more of tobacco lamina, tobacco stem, expanded tobacco and reconstituted tobacco.

Preferably, the tobacco component may include a blend of two or more different types of tobacco. For example, the tobacco component may include a blend of two or more of different types of tobacco selected from the group consisting of Virginia, Burley, Maryland, Nicotiana rustica and oriental tobacco. Alternatively, the tobacco component may include a single type of tobacco.

Also preferably, the tobacco component may include tobacco that has been one or more of dried, aged, flue-cured, air-cured, fire-cured, sun-cured, shredded, powdered and ground. Preferably, the tobacco component includes air-cured tobacco, sun-cured tobacco, dark air-cured tobacco or a combination thereof. Also preferably, the tobacco component includes particulate tobacco. More preferably, the tobacco component includes powdered tobacco, ground tobacco or a combination thereof.

The particulate tobacco may have any suitable average particle size. For example, the particulate tobacco may have an average particle size of less than about 1 mm, less than about 0.5 mm, or less than about 0.1 mm. Preferably, the particulate tobacco has an average particle size ranging from about 100 nm to about 1 mm, more preferably ranging from about 100 nm to about 0.5 mm. The tobacco may be ground and sieved in a typical manner in order to obtain a desired particle size.

As well as the tobacco component, to obtain desired mechanical and organoleptic properties, the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product further includes one or more non-tobacco components. For example, smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco products may further include one or more non-tobacco components approved for use in the food industry selected from the group consisting of: acidity regulators, buffering agents, fillers, binders, gelling agents, lubricants, anti-adherents, glidants, disintegration agents, sweeteners, flavorants, taste enhancers and colorants.

In the preferred embodiment, the tobacco component may be dry blended or otherwise mixed with the one or more non-tobacco components. For example, the tobacco component and one or more non-tobacco components may be ground together or mixed in a twisting powder mixer.

Preferably, the tobacco component may be present in the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product in an amount ranging from about 0.5% to about 60% of the dry weight of the compressed tobacco product. The amount of the tobacco component may be selected as a function of, for example, the desired nicotine content or the desired flavor or other organoleptic properties of the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product includes: at least one binder or filler; at least one lubricant, anti-adherent or glidant; at least one acidity regulator; at least one flavorant; and at least one sweetener. Preferably, the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product also includes one or more of a gelling agent, a taste enhancer, a colorant and a disintegration agent.

Preferably, the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product includes at least one binder or filler. Throughout the specification, the terms “binder” and “filler” are used to refer to any component that increases the disintegration time of the dissolvable compressed tobacco product, maintains the integrity of the dissolvable compressed tobacco product, increases the hardness of the dissolvable compressed tobacco product, reduces the friability of the dissolvable compressed tobacco product or adds bulk to the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product. It will be appreciated that a single non-tobacco component may perform the functions of a binder and a filler.

The smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product may optionally include one or more gelling agents. Throughout the specification, the term “gelling agent” is used to refer to any component that affects the mouth feel of the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product when dissolved in the mouth of a consumer.

Suitable binders, fillers and gelling agents are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: non-tobacco plant fibres; starches, including pre-gelatinized starch; gums, including natural gums, such as xanthan gum, gum, acacia, gum arabic, guar gum, locust bean gum and sodium alginate; pectins; gelatin; agar; carrageenan; pullulan; microcrystalline cellulose; methyl cellulose; carboxymethyl cellulose; dextrins, including maltodextrin; sugar alcohols, such as erythritol, xylitol mannitol, sorbitol, isomalt, maltitol and lactitol; glucose; lactose; sucrose; polyvidone; calcium sulfate dihydrate; and combinations thereof.

In the preferred embodiment, the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product includes microcrystalline cellulose, which functions as a binder and a filler.

The smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product may optionally include one or more lubricants, anti-adherents, glidants or combinations thereof. Throughout the specification, the terms “lubricant” “anti-adherent” and “glidant” are used to refer to any component that facilitates manufacturing of the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product by reducing friction, reducing adhesion, or otherwise improving flow properties. It will be appreciated that a single non-tobacco component may perform the functions of one or more of a lubricant, an anti-adherent and a glidant.

Suitable lubricants, anti-adherents and glidants are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: stearates, including magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, sodium stearate, zinc stearate, and derivatives thereof, including sodium stearyl fumarate; fatty acids, including stearic acid; silicates, including magnesium silicates and calcium silicates; starch; lauryl sulfates, including magnesium lauryl sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate; polyethylene glycol; and silica aerogels, including colloidal fumed silica.

Preferably, the one or more lubricants, anti-adherents, glidants or combinations thereof may be present in the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product in an amount of, for example, between about 0.1% to about 5% of the dry weight of the compressed tobacco product. Also preferably, the one or more lubricants, anti-adherents, glidants or combinations thereof are present in the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product in an amount of less than about 1% of the dry weight of the compressed tobacco product, more preferably in an amount of about 0.2% of the dry weight of the compressed tobacco product.

The smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product may optionally include one or more disintegrants. Throughout the specification, the term “disintegrant” is used to refer to any component that facilitates breakup or disintegration of the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product when placed in a consumer's mouth.

Suitable disintegrants are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: starches, including pregelatinised starch; sodium starch glycolate; sodium alginate; croscarmellose sodium; crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone, including crospovidone; sodium carboxymethyl cellulose; calcium carboxymethyl cellulose; sodium bicarbonate; and calcium carbonate.

Depending on the nature thereof, the one or more disintegrants may be present in the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product in an amount, for example, ranging from about 1% to about 15% of the dry weight of the compressed tobacco product.

In addition, the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product may optionally include one or more sweeteners. Smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco products may include natural sweeteners, artificial sweeteners or combinations thereof. Suitable natural and artificial sweeteners are known in the art and include, but are not limited to: monosaccharides, such as glucose, fructose, ribose xylose and invert sugar; disaccharides, such as lactose, maltose and sucrose; sugar alcohols, such as erythritol, xylitol mannitol, sorbitol, isomalt, maltitol and lactitol; and artificial sweeteners, such as sucralose, aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame K, and cyclamate,

Moreover, the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product may optionally include one or more flavorants. Smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco products may include natural flavorants, artificial flavorants or combinations thereof. The one or more flavorants may be added in encapsulated or non-encapsulated form.

Suitable natural and artificial flavorants are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, peppermint, spearmint, wintergreen, menthol, eucalyptus oil, angelica, anise, anethole, carvone, vanillin, vanilla, basil oil, cardamom, cassia, cinnamon, clove, cocoa, coriander oil, fennel oil, fenugreek, ginger, lemon grass, liquorice, nutmeg, palmarosa oil, sage oil, acacia, amber, clary, geranium, jasmine, juniper berry, lavender oil, magnolia, oak moss, orris root, osmanthus, rose oil, sandalwood, bergamot oil, lemon oil, lime oil, orange oil, fruit extracts, fruit flavoring, almond, coconut, chocolate, coffee, tea, arrack, rum, cognac, whisky, and gin.

The one or more flavorants may be present in the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product in an amount, for example, ranging from about 0.1% to about 4% of the dry weight of the compressed tobacco product.

The smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product may optionally include one or more taste enhancers such as, for example, sodium chloride or ammonium chloride.

Additionally, the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product may optionally include one or more colorants to, for example, indicate or reflect the flavor or brand of the compressed tobacco product or otherwise enhance its aesthetic appearance.

It will be appreciated that smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco products may include multifunctional non-tobacco components that perform two or more of the functions previously described above. For example, the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product may include a multifunctional non-tobacco component that functions as at least two of: (i) a binder or filler; (ii) a lubricant, anti-adherent or glidant; and (iii) a disintegrant. In one embodiment, the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product may include pre-gelatinised starch that functions as a binder, lubricant and disintegrant.

In the preferred embodiment, smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco products may also include mutlifunctional non-tobacco components that perform two or more other functions. For example, the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product may include a sugar alcohol that acts as a binder and a sweetener, or colloidal fumed silica that acts as a glidant and a desiccant. Other suitable known desiccants such as, for example, magnesium sulfate may also be included in smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco products to control the moisture content thereof.

Also in the preferred embodiment, the pasteurized tobacco component may be dry blended with one or more non-tobacco components and then directly compressed in a typical manner to form the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product. The pasteurized tobacco component and one or more non-tobacco components maybe be directly compressed using, for example, a tablet press having a single die and punch arrangement or a rotary tablet press having multiple dies. Prior to being dry blended with one or more non-tobacco components, the pasteurized tobacco component may optionally be wet granulated in a typical manner using, for example, a fluid bed granulator.

Preferably, the compression forces used to form the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product may be selected based on a number of factors. These factors include: the type of apparatus employed to compress the tobacco component and one or more non-tobacco components; the size of the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product; the desired physical and mechanical properties of the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product, including but not limited to the hardness, friability, disintegration or dissolution characteristics; and the desired appearance of the compressed smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product. For example, through an appropriate choice of compression force and the tobacco and non-tobacco components thereof, smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco products may be produced having a hardness ranging from about 2 N and about 300 N.

Furthermore, through an appropriate choice of compression force and the tobacco and non-tobacco components thereof, smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco products may be produced that dissolve in the mouth of an average consumer within about 5 minutes to about 45 minutes.

In a preferred embodiment, through an appropriate choice of the one or more non-tobacco components therein, smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco products according to the invention dissolve in the mouth of an average consumer within about 5 minutes to about 15 minutes.

Through another appropriate choice of the one or more non-tobacco components, smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco products which dissolve in the mouth of an average consumer within about 30 minutes to about 45 minutes and which can be sucked by a consumer and then “parked” between their cheek and gum may be advantageously produced.

If desired, one or more surfaces of the formed smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product may be embossed or debossed. Alternatively the formed smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product may be at least partially coated in a typical manner using, for example, a pan coater.

Smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco products may be produced in one or more predetermined shapes or configurations. FIGS. 1-12 show: (a) perspective views; (b) side views; and (c) top views, respectively, of exemplary different shaped smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco products. As shown in FIGS. 1(a), 1(b), and 1(c), the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product can have a generally oblong shape with substantially flat or planar faces. As shown in FIGS. 2(a), 2(b), and 2(c), the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product can have a generally disk shaped configuration with substantially flat or planar faces. As shown in FIGS. 3(a), 3(b), and 3(c), the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product can have a generally disk shaped configuration with domed or convex faces. As shown in FIGS. 4(a), 4(b), and 4(c), the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product can have a generally spherical shape. As shown in FIGS. 5(a), 5(b), and 5(c), the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product can have a generally oblong shape with domed or convex faces. As shown in FIGS. 6(a), 6(b), and 6(c), the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product can have an oblong shape with biaxially symmetric faces. As shown in FIGS. 7(a), 7(b), and 7(c), the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product can have an elongated generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. As shown in FIGS. 8(a), 8(b), and 8(c), the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product can have a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. As shown in FIGS. 9(a), 9(b), and 9(c), the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product can have a generally square opposed surfaces. As shown in FIGS. 10(a), 10(b), and 10(c), the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product can have a generally pyramidal structure. As shown in FIGS. 11(a), 11(b), and 11(c), the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product can have generally triangular opposed surfaces. As shown in FIGS. 12(a), 12(b), and 12(c), the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product can have generally hexagonal opposed surfaces.

Smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco products may also be produced in a variety of different sizes. For example, smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco products may have a diameter ranging from about 2 mm to about 30 mm and a weight ranging from about 0.1 g to about 3.0 g.

In this specification, the word “about” is often used in connection with numerical values to indicate that mathematical precision of such values is not intended. Accordingly, it is intended that where “about” is used with a numerical value, a tolerance of ±10% is contemplated for that numerical value.

In this specification the words “generally” and “substantially” are sometimes used with respect to terms. When used with geometric terms, the words “generally” and “substantially” are intended to encompass not only features which meet the strict definitions but also features which fairly approximate the strict definitions.

While the foregoing describes in detail a preferred a smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product and methods of making the product with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made to the product and equivalent methods may be employed, which do not materially depart from the spirit and scope of the foregoing description. Accordingly, all such changes, modifications, and equivalents that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims are intended to be encompassed thereby.

Claims

1. A smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product comprising:

a pasteurized tobacco component having a total aerobic microbial count of less than 2 log cfu/g.

2. The smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product of claim 1, wherein the pasteurized tobacco component includes particulate tobacco with an average particle size ranging from about 100 nm to about 0.5 mm.

3. The smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product of claim 1, further including one or more non-tobacco components selected from the group consisting of: acidity regulators, buffering agents, fillers, binders, gelling agents, lubricants, anti-adherents, glidants, disintegration agents, sweeteners, flavorants, taste enhancers and colorants.

4. The smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product of claim 1, further including:

at least one binder or filler;

at least one lubricant, anti-adherent or glidant;

at least one acidity regulator;

at least one flavorant; and

at least one sweetener.

5. The smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product of claim 4, further including one or more of:

a gelling agent;

a taste enhancer;

a colorant; and

a disintegration agent.

6. The smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product of claim 1, wherein the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product has a diameter ranging from about 2 mm to about 30 mm.

7. The smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product of claim 1, wherein the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product has a weight ranging from about 0.1 g to about 3.0 g.

8. The smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product of claim 1, wherein the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product has a hardness ranging from about 2 N to about 300 N.

9. The smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product of claim 1, wherein the pasteurized tobacco component is included in the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product in an amount ranging from about 0.5% to about 60% of the dry weight of the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product.

10. The smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product of claim 1, wherein the pasteurized tobacco component has a pH ranging from about 7.5 to about 8.9.

11. A method of making a smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product having a total aerobic microbial count of less than 2 log cfu/g comprising the steps of:

pasteurizing a tobacco component so as to reduce the total aerobic microbial count thereof to less than 2 log cfu/g and the total yeast and mold count thereof to less than 2 log cfu/g;

mixing the pasteurized tobacco component with one or more non-tobacco components; and

compressing the pasteurized tobacco component and one or more non-tobacco components to form a product having a predetermined shape.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of pasteurizing the tobacco component includes direct heating of the tobacco by hot steam injection to a temperature ranging from about 100° C. to about 120° C. for a period ranging from about 1 minute to about 30 minutes.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of pasteurizing the tobacco component includes direct heating of the tobacco component by repeated hot steam injection to temperatures of at least about 100° C.

14. The method of claim 11, further including the step of adjusting the pH of the pasteurized tobacco component to about 7.5 and about 8.9 prior to compressing the pasteurized tobacco component and one or more non-tobacco components to form the smokeless dissolvable compressed tobacco product.