Abstract: A method for producing seasoned food products where seasoning is performed at individual packaging lines. The product is conveyed from the preparation area to a packaging area in an unseasoned condition. Upon reaching the packaging lines, which are disposed in packaging departments in the packaging area, the product can be selectively seasoned independent of other packaging lines. After seasoning, the product is packaged and prepared for delivery. At each packaging line, a volumetric feeder includes a feed head that cooperates with a tumbler having helical flights to produce continuous controlled product portions. A seasoning dispenser is positionable within the tumbler and can be adjusted to dispense a given weight of seasoning at a given rate, based on the amount of product passing through the tumbler, to obtain consistent seasoning levels and coverage.

Abstract: A water spray process for providing moisture to chip-type food products to cause them to curl when dried. The amount of curling is directly related to the amount of moisture applied to the top surface of the chips. Following the water spray addition, the product may be transferred to a salting conveyor where salt may be deposited in a continuous curtain onto the top surface of the product. The water sprayed top surface provides the adhesive for the salt.

Abstract: A low fat content, seasoned, cereal-based snack food having a low moisture content is produced. An adhesive for the seasoning is an at least partially amorphous form of a mixture of at least one monosaccharide, preferably glucose, and at least one polyhydric, aliphatic, saturated alcohol having 3 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably glycerol. The adhesive is applied to the snack food by direct spraying on the snack food or by encapsulating the adhesive in a fat and blending the encapsulated adhesive with the snack food.

Abstract: Free unbound water is removed from cooked meat by contacting a cooked meat with particulate food-acceptable water-absorbing material to coat the meat. The material is maintained in contact with the meat for at least a time sufficient to remove free unbound water from the meat. The coating containing free unbound water obtained from the meat subsequently may be removed from the meat.

Abstract: Fried chicken is prepared by marinating uncooked chicken parts and then searing in water to release fat from the chicken parts and to make the chicken parts tacky. Predust, batter and breading are then applied to the seared chicken parts and the coated chicken parts are fried in oil to set the coating with minimal oil absorption. Then the seared, coated and fried chicken parts are oven cooked until fully cooked and fat is removed from the chicken parts during the oven cooking step. The resulting product has been found to have no more than about 230 calories, 80 milligrams of cholesterol, and 10 grams of fat per 3.5 ounce portion.

Abstract: A dry mix containing a combination of salt having a particle size of 100% by weight minus 100 U.S. mesh and carrageenan is applied to the surface of uncooked meat, poultry or seafood before cooking in a microwave or conventional oven. The salt and carrageenan may also be applied in the form of an aqueous slurry. The cooked product retains a higher amount of moisture and has improved appearance, taste and texture as compared to cooked meat, poultry or seafood which is not treated before cooking.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a fiber fortified foodstuff that includes preparing the foodstuff and then topically applying supplemental fiber. In particular, puffed snack products are prepared by mixing cereal with a fiber premix and sufficient moisture to form an extrudable dough base. The dough base is cooked in a cooking extruder and then extruded to form a wet puff which is dried and then coated with an oil slurry. A flavor premix which includes supplemental dietary fiber, particularly a soluble fiber, is topically applied to the oil coated dry puff to form a fiber fortified, puffed snack product.

Abstract: Poultry pieces, preferably chicken, are breaded without forming a batter, by adhering high gluten flour dust to the pieces, hydrating the dust sufficiently to render the dust tacky, and then adhering breading to the hydrated dust. The product exhibits the favorable properties of breaded poultry while avoiding the unfavorable tendency of batters to separate from the underlying piece.

Abstract: A dry mix, such as a fructose-containing beverage mix, is prepared by coating the fructose particles with fine particles of a food acid. The coated fructose particles are resistant to browning which can develop in the presence of heat and moisture, especially if any alkaline ingredients are contained in the mix.

Abstract: Potato pieces, for example, potato slices, french fries, and potato cubes or potato skins are prepared with a lower fat content by frying the potato pieces in an oil comprising from about 0.5 to about 2% of a hydrophobic or a hydrophilic silica. The hydrophilic silicas are preferred for use in the frying fat because they are approved for food use. Alternatively, the potato pieces can be dipped in silica or water or oil containing silica.

Abstract: Foodstuffs comprising a bakery component and a moist filling or other component, in the form of crumbs for coating a moist filling are described which contain a heat set protein, which reduces the problems associated with moisture when the foodstuff is stored over long periods of time, under conditions of high humidity, or when heated in a microwave oven.

Abstract: Potato pieces, for example, potato slices, french fries, and potato cubes or potato skins are prepared with a lower fat content by frying the potato pieces in an oil comprising from about 0.5 to about 2% of a hydrophobic silica. Alternatively, the potato pieces can be dipped in silica or water or oil containing silica.

Abstract: A process for dehydrating food products particularly suited to the dehydration of potatoes for use in the preparation of hashbrown potatoes. In accordance with the process of the invention, a food product, e.g. a potato is prepared into separate pieces for drying. The separate pieces are then coated with a dry mixture which includes a separation particulate which maintains separation between adjacent pieces such that the pieces may be more efficiently and effectively hot air dried. The dry mixture also includes ingredients which react with moisture on the food product surface to form an adhesive surface for adhering the dry mixture to the food product. For the preparation of hashbrown potatoes, the dry mixture may include spices, browning ingredients, and patty-binding ingredients. For the preparation of casserole potato dishes, the dry mixture may include spices, dehydrated vegetables and cheeses, and a thickening agent.

Abstract: A process for preparing improved french fried potatoes for subsequent reheating in a microwave oven is disclosed in which the potato strips are dust-coated with a thin layer of toasted potato granules and fat-encapsulated salt after frying in oil. In a preferred embodiment, potato strips are finish fried to a fully cooked, ready-to-eat condition and thereafter coated with a thin layer of toasted potato granules.

Abstract: Improved savory snack food items include a nonsweet, sugar-based binder composition which adheres one or more toppings to a base portion of the snack. The binder does not undesirably alter the taste of snack food items and substantially reduces separation of toppings from the snack food items during production, packaging, shipping and, most importantly, during handling by the consumer. The binder also reduces transfer of oil and fat and powders to the hands of the consumer.

Abstract: A chewable mineral supplement which comprises: a chewing gum composition coated with an outer shell containing layers of a mineral compound and a coating syrup and wherein the mineral compound has an average a particle size of about 5 to about 75 microns to impart good "mouthfeel" to the chewable mineral supplement.

Abstract: A foodstuff is coated with particulate material by transferring the particulate material from a first conveyor travelling in one direction onto the foodstuff being transported on a first belt of a second conveyor located below the first conveyor which travels in the direction opposite to the first conveyor. While the coated foodstuff is transferred to a second belt of the second conveyor, particulate material falls off the first belt through a gap between the first belt and the second belt onto an inclined portion of the second belt. The particulate material is conveyed to the horizontal upper run of the second belt which forms a layer on which the coated foodstuff lies for being coated on a bottom side after being transported to the second belt. The coated foodstuff is then transferred from the second belt to the third belt of the second conveyor, with further particulate material falling through the gap between the second and third belts onto the inside wall of a drum.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a continuous process for preparing a non-segregating, free-flowing dried instant pasta and sauce dish comprising preheating pasta followed by conveying the pre-heated pasta to a rotating coating reel then applying a first layer of melted fat to the pasta into the rotating coating reel and contacting the fat coated pasta with dry ingredients then applying a second and third layer of fat to the spice coated pasta and finally adding vegetable inlays to the fat coated pasta and cool for packaging.

Abstract: Frozen food products are coated with a novel coating composition which permits the food product to be reconstituted for consumption by the application of microwave energy and obtain the desired combination of textural properties, both of moistness of food substrate and crispness of coating. The coating composition comprises three components, namely a predust component applied to the food substrate, a batter component next applied to the food substrate, and finally a breading component. In the coating composition, the components adjacent the food portion coagulate during cooking and retard the migration of moisture from the food portion to the breading component while, at the same time, providing a controlled porosity to the exterior of the coated food substrate to permit migration of moisture and moisture vapor through the coating to the external environment.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing convenience foods from food units coming from the grower in various sizes. The vegetable or fruit food units of various sizes, are cleaned and handled and frozen in a generally conventional manner, and then are compressed by a high capacity press into a standard predetermined size of frozen block of food product, after which the block is cut by sawing, into generally equal size units which can then be further processed, such as for instance batter coated and cooked, and then packaged by count, prior to shipment.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for coating discrete food pieces with a sweet coating such as in the preparation of a presweetened ready-to-eat cereal. The coating contains a mixture of crystalline fructose and high fructose corn syrup. The amorphous fructose of the HFCS is converted in situ into the sweeter beta fructo-pyranose. The method of preparation comprises the steps, in sequence of: (A) providing a base of dried food pieces; (B) applying HFCS seeded with up to 2% powdered crystalline fructose; (C) enrobing dry powdered crystalline fructose onto the cereal pieces in a weight ratio of crystalline fructose to HFCS of from 2:1 to 1:1; (D) coating the food base pieces with an edible oil; and (E) dusting with a dry powdered sugar.

Abstract: A process for making sweetened coconut flakes in which shredded coconut is coated with an aqueous solution comprising finely ground coconut and humectants. The liquid coated coconut is then coated with sugar producing a product which is moist and fresh.

Abstract: An improved method for applying a sugarless coating containing sorbitol to chewing gum pieces and confections by using a single coating syrup containing sorbitol and/or other non-sugar sweetener, an adhesion or binder component, such as gum arabic, a filler-anti-stick component, such as calcium carbonate, and a dispersing agent, such as titanium dioxide.

Abstract: The invention relates to resins used for manufacturing or reproducing masks in electronics.The photomasking composition corresponds to the general formula: ##STR1## in which R.sub.1, R.sub.1 ', R.sub.1 ", R.sub.2, R.sub.2 ', R.sub.2 " designate alkyl radicals whose principal chain contains from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, the symbols F, Cl and Br which designate the fluorine, chlorine and the bromine bearing indices a, b, c, a', b', and c' representing the number of these atoms which are zero or positive whole numbers, such as m, n, p.

Abstract: A new method is provided for applying a soft flexible sugar coating to soft chewing gum pieces which method requires that a sugar coating be applied to fresh soft chewing gum substantially immediately (within 3 hours) after the chewing gum is prepared and without first subjecting such chewing gum to the normal 24 to 48 hour conditioning period. The resulting coating takes the form of a continuous soft flexible protective shell which tightly adheres to the soft chewing gum piece, locks in freshness and imparts a long-shelf life thereto. The chewing gum piece produced by the above method remains soft even after prolonged periods of storage.The coated chewing gum produced by the above method is also provided.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing dry pet food having on its surface a salt of phosphoric acid. The improved palatability imparted to the pet food by the salt is maintained on storage.

Abstract: An apparatus for topping a succession of regularly spaced pizzapie crusts on a conveyer with sliced topping material, such as cheese, comprising slicing means to cut blocks of the material on the conveyor into slices of appropriate shapes and sizes, and an automatic weighing means to supply appropriate amounts of the sliced material to the pizzapie crusts. The apparatus further includes an electrical control means which controls the operations of the above-mentioned means so that the operations will have a timed relationship with the movement of the pizzapie crusts, thereby placing each amount of sliced material on top of the corresponding pie crust with accuracy and without loss.

Abstract: A method of coating a surface of an article of food with a granular material at a selected density by transporting the food along a preselected path at a preselected speed, enclosing and agitating the granular material with a rotating auger, metering the granular material with height adjusting augers, while adjusting the height of the agitating auger, the orifice for metering the granular material and rotating the distributing auger at selected speeds to meter a selected quantity of food onto the food surface; reclaiming excess granular material and reconveying the excess back to the enclosed quantity.

Abstract: A method for producing breaded vegetable shapes such as onion rings, wherein the coating of the breaded ring is set quickly, as by flash frying, before freezing and without cooking appreciably the vegetable ring; and where the ring is made directly from onion slices, the breading is provided in two layers; an interior layer of viscous batter with fine mesh breading, and an outer layer of relatively less viscous batter with relatively coarse mesh breading.

Abstract: Improved sweetened coconut products coated with powdered sugar can be made by substituting for a fraction of said powdered sugar, particles of sugar encapsulated in edible fat.