Abstract: Processes and compositions for treating food products comprising adding to the food product an aqueous composition which is gellable in the food product. The process can include wherein the composition comprises a thixotropic gel which has been shear thinned, and is added to the food product in a shear thinned condition, as well as wherein the aqueous composition comprises a composition that does not form a gel externally of the food product, and which composition is gellable in the food product.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a setting system for use in the making of gelatin desserts comprising gelatin and an anionic hydrocolloid gum wherein the weight ratio of gelatin to anionic hydrocolloid gum is approximately 250-375:1. Through the use of such a setting system, lower gelatin use of up to 10% or more can be realized while achieving an increase in gel strength of up to about 20%.

Abstract: An edible, manipulable carrier for delivering a predetermined amount of a flavoring agent to a food product, and a process for making the carrier. The flavoring agent is preferably substantially intermixed within the carrier, which rapidly melts upon contact with a heated food product.

Abstract: A formulated, microbound diet product for the culture of larval fish and crustaceans either in a dry or moist form is disclosed. The food product contains protein sources such as fish protein hydrosylate, casein, egg yolk, binding agents such as soy lecithin, wheat gluten, and alginate. Other ingredients such as vitamins and minerals, lipid sources, carbohydrate sources, pigment sources, and attractant compounds are included in the diet for nutritional completeness. A method for preparation of the food product is also disclosed.

Abstract: Composite food having a gelling agent, selected from gelatin, egg white, modified waxy maize starch, whey protein concentrate, modified potato starch, gellan gum, and rennet casein, and a flavoring and/or texturing component, uniformly distributed throughout, selected from nonfat dry milk, butter, enzyme modified cheese, BBQ seasoning blend, cheddar cheese, sugars, milk protein concentrate, vinegar, and partially hydrogenated soybean oil, with the remainder of the composite made up primarily of water. The composite food product is substantially solid and self-sustaining at ambient temperature.

Abstract: The frozen food or food material includes a food or food material processed with from 0.1% by weight to 5% by weight of an alkali metal halide or an alkali earth metal halide, from 0.01% by weight to 0.5% by weight of an alkali metal bicarbonate or an alkali earth metal bicarbonate, from 0.0005% by weight to 0.05% by weight of an organic acid, and from 0.05% by weight to 10% by weight of gelatin, and from 0.05% by weight to 10% by weight of polylysine, as needed, each based on the weight of the food or food material, or a mixture of two or more. The frozen food or food material can be stored in cold storage for a prolonged period of time, and the original taste or flavor of the food or food material is not spoiled upon thawing or unfreezing the frozen food or food material.

Abstract: A cream for use as a topping on beverages, such that the cream floats on the surface of the beverage, whether hot or cold. The cream contains a hydrocolloid fluid gelling agent at a concentration sufficient to form a fluid gel which is subsequently sheared. This enables the cream to float on beverages, whilst maintaining its inherent stability and remaining immiscible with other liquids whether hot or cold. Usually the gelling agent has a concentration between 0.05 and 2% by weight.

Abstract: Various compositions for producing translucent to opaque protein enhanced dessert gels are disclosed. In general, the dessert gels comprise a gelling system plus flavorings, colorings, and nutritional additives. Exemplary embodiments of the gelling system comprise water, sweetener, carrageenan, and various proteins such as soy protein isolate, soy protein concentrate, whey, and sodium caseinate.

Abstract: Expanded edible products having a porous, foamed, or cellular interior and self-sealing surface or skin are provided. The texture and structure of the expanded products are controlled by manipulating a pre-expanded food formulation comprising hydrocolloid and moisture.

Abstract: Various compositions for producing translucent to opaque protein enhanced dessert gels are disclosed. In general, the dessert gels comprise a gelling system plus flavorings, colorings, and nutritional additives. Exemplary embodiments of the gelling system comprise water, sweetener, carrageenan, and various proteins such as soy protein isolate, soy protein concentrate, whey, and sodium caseinate.

Abstract: Methods of preparing a gelled dried sweetened products comprise the steps in sequence of: providing a hot fluid gelable base blend at near finish % solids, and depositing the fluid gelable base blend into shaped cavities. The present methods can further comprise the steps of rapidly curing the base blend to form gelled shaped pieces; and, separating the gelled shaped pieces from the shaped cavities to form quantities of shaped pieces. Depositing a gelable base blend at near finish solids content is possible by completely hydrating any gel hydrocolloids prior to addition to other wet and dry ingredients.

Abstract: An edible microcapsule comprising a core and a capsule wall, wherein the core is an edible hydrophobic substance, the capsule wall is formed by salting-out of a combination of a protein and an edible salt, and transglutaminase is used as a crosslinking agent for hardening (solidifying) the capsule wall, and a food containing the edible microcapsule.

Abstract: The invention provides sponges (foams) produced from hydrocolloids by the expansion of gels of these. The foams have properties which can be varied, such as water absorption, biodegradibility, pore size and structure. Edible products can be produced which may contain an edible plasticizer, a sugar or sugar substitute and possibly also a flavoring agent or taste enhancer. The novel sponges are produced by preparing a gel of a hydrocolloid, and either sealing it in a closed vessel with a liquid of similar composition, pressurizing the vessel and abruptly releasing the pressure, followed by freeze drying, or by incorporating in such a gel a suitable microorganism, such as a yeast and inducing fermentation in the presence of a suitable nutrient medium, so that the carbon dioxide formed results in the expansion and foam formation, which is processed to the final product. The sponges-foams of the invention are such, that the initial network of the gel is maintained.

Abstract: An improved snack food product in the form of resilient, molded, self-sustaining bodies preferably made from a heated mixture comprising a dairy product (cheese, yogurt or pudding), gelatin, fat and water. The product bodies are small and bite sized, having a mass to surface area ratio of from about 0.05-5 g/cm2, which facilitates molding thereof. Preferred food products are prepared by first creating a heated flowable mixture of including cheese, gelatin, fat and water, and depositing small quantities of the mixture into molding depressions formed in powdered starch; after hardening, the resultant products are separated from the starch and packaged.

Abstract: The invention concerns improved sugar-free food products, their production and use, in particular, coated food products, their production and use. The products are characterized by their content in enriched mixtures of 1-O-&agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-D-mannitol (1,1-GPM) and 6-O-&agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-D-sorbitol (1,6-GPS).

Abstract: A candy product intended to be extruded in a ribbon/belt format and capable of being extruded and rolled upon itself to create a candy roll product eliminating the need of an underlying support material, and of the type generally including as ingredients, sweetening agents, flavoring agents, binders, water, stabilizers, acidulants, fruit flavorants, and coloring agents, the improvement comprising the addition of between 0.25% and 5% by weight of gelatin thereby to provide an extrudable candy.

Abstract: An improved snack food product in the form of resilient, molded, self-sustaining bodies preferably made from a heated mixture comprising a dairy product (cheese, yogurt or pudding), gelatin, fat and water. The product bodies are small and bite sized, having a mass to surface area ratio of from about 0.05-5 g/cm2, which facilitates molding thereof. Preferred food products are prepared by first creating a heated flowable mixture of including cheese, gelatin, fat and water, and depositing small quantities of the mixture into molding depressions formed in powdered starch or a resilient rubber mold; after hardening, the resultant products are separated from the starch or rubber mold and packaged.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chewy confectionery product, preferably a chewy sweet product, and to methods for making such products. The chewy confectionery product contains oxidized starch, optionally in combination with a gum such as gum arabic, as a replacement for at least a part and preferably all of the gelatin in the product. The chewy confectionery product has the property of providing a long-lasting cohesive chew.

Abstract: An aqueous gel suitable for ingestion by a cat or dog comprising, a. an effective amount of a gelling agent, b. an effective amount of a cat or dog palatability enhancing agent, and c. at least about 85 wt. % water.

Abstract: A man-made caviar alternative, including granules having a gelled center in a syrup exhibiting the same organoleptic properties as caviar from sturgeon. The granules are made from a mixture of encapsulation material, salt, coloring agents and flavoring agents, and granules are formed having a size of between about 2 to 4 millimeters. The thus formed granules may be treated with firming agents, crisping agents, and antioxidants. The caviar syrup in which the granules reside is a mixture including flavoring agents, salt, and stabilizing agents.

Abstract: A range of products and methods are based on a creamy base of cream, artificial cream, thickened cream, cream cheese, mixtures thereof and mixtures with compatible incidental ingredients, the creamy base being aerated while cold and intimately mixed with a hot aqueous gelatin solution typically around 80° C. and providing 1-3% gelatin in the mixed product and the overrun in the aeration being typically in the range of 10-40%. Various further components are included or introduced with further processing selected from methods including heating the product with a further component to boiling point whereby de-aeration and enhanced shelf life is found in the resultant product. An alternative method is where flavor components are added prior to de-aeration. Another application is as a carrier for a pharmaceutical agent which is incorporated into the creamy base and protected with the gelatin matrix, a powder being formed ready for packaging in pharmaceutical doses.

Abstract: The stabilizer is able to stabilize both fat/oil and water and to improve the texture of mechanically separated meats. The stabilizer is a composite of gelatin, an acid, a sugar component and/or a starch component. The gelatin component is made by treating the gelatin in an aqueous slurry with an acid such that a pH of 1.0 to 4.5 is maintained throughout the treatment process. The stabilizer is especially suited for use in cased meats such as sausage, frankfurters, and bologna.

Abstract: An edible composition has a first part including a first particulated gel and at least one other part including a second particulated gel, the first part being substantially unmixed with the other part or parts. An edible composition includes a particulated gel in a continuous phase of a hydrocolloid gel. A process for the preparation of such edible compositions is provide.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a setting system for use in the making of gelatin desserts comprising gelatin and an anionic hydrocolloid gum wherein the weight ratio of gelatin to anionic hydrocolloid gum is approximately 250-375:1. Through the use of such a setting system, lower gelatin use of up to 10% or more can be realized while achieving an increase in gel strength of up to about 20%.

Abstract: An edible microcapsule comprising a core and a capsule wall, wherein the core is an edible hydrophobic substance, the capsule wall is formed by salting-out of a combination of a protein and an edible salt, and transglutaminase is used as a crosslinking agent for hardening (solidifying) the capsule wall, and a food containing the edible microcapsule.

Abstract: The stabilizer is able to stabilize both fat/oil and water and to improve the texture of mechanically separated meats. The stabilizer is a composite of gelatin, an acid, a sugar component and/or a starch component. The gelatin component is made by treating the gelatin in an aqueous slurry with an acid such that a pH of 1.0 to 4.5 is maintained throughout the treatment process. The stabilizer is especially suited for use in cased meats such as sausage, frankfurters, and bologna.

Abstract: A multi-stage thickening composition for use in facilitating the handling and continuous packaging of a food product, and for providing a desired final shape and texture for the food product. Relatively rapid-setting and slower-setting consumable gels form one preferred thickening composition. The rapid-setting gel allows the food product to be shaped and packaged, while the slower-setting gel allows the food product to be provided with desired texture characteristics that appeal to the consumer.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved, intermediate moisture sweetened gelled food compositions fortified with calcium supplied by calcium phosphate that is dispersed in an oil and/or fat. The gelled compositions comprise: A) about 55 to 85% by weight nutritive carbohydrate sweeteners; B) sufficient amounts of a gelling agent(s) to provide a gel strength of about 2-8 kg/cm2; C) about 50 to 1500 mg/oz total calcium; and D) about 9 to 20% moisture, and E) about to 0.1% to 5% of an edible fatty triglyceride. Also disclosed are methods for the preparation of such fruit products involving forming a concentrated slurry of calcium phosphate having a particle size such that at least 90% are less than 150 &mgr;m dispersed in at least a portion of the oil and/or fat, forming a gellable blend and admixing the gellable composition with the slurry to form a gellable calcium fortified composition and forming into desired shaped and sized pieces.

Abstract: Beads as food additives consisting of a matrix of a reticulated multivalent cation containing acid polysaccharide and at least one water soluble and/or voltaile liquid or solid active ingredient filling at least partly the voids built by the acid polysaccharide are prepared by a process comprising the steps of forming a system consisting of a dispersion or emulsion of a water immiscible material in an aqueous solution of an acid polysaccharide, especially in the form of an alkali metal salt, an emulsifier and, optionally, one or more other water soluble or water dispersible substances; forming of discrete droplets of said system; converting said droplets to water-insoluble gel beads by introducing said droplets in an aqueous or alcoholic solution containing multivalent cations, thereby building a suspension of gel beads; isolating said gel beads from said suspension; optionally, drying the isolated beads, and loading the isolated beads with at least one active ingredient.

Abstract: A method for making confectionery products and an apparatus for use in the method. The method involves dissolving confectionery-based ingredients in water to provide a confectionery-based slurry and concentrating the slurry by applying the slurry onto a first hot surface having a first temperature to remove moisture from the slurry, scraping the slurry from the first surface to move the slurry onto a second hot surface having a second temperature to remove additional water from the slurry and provide a concentrated slurry having a final solids content, and scraping the concentrated slurry from the second surface after the desired total solids content is obtained. The concentrated slurry can then be formed into a confectionery product. The method is economical, clean, and may be used to prepare a wide variety of confections.

Abstract: The stabilizer is able to stabilize both fat/oil and water and to improve the texture of mechanically separated meats. The stabilizer is a composite of gelatin, an acid, a sugar component and/or a starch component. The gelatin component is made by treating the gelatin in an aqueous slurry with an acid such that a pH of 1.0 to 4.5 is maintained throughout the treatment process. The stabilizer is especially suited for use in cased meats such as sausage, frankfurters, and bologna.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gelatinous jellying product containing water, a sweetening agent and a jellying agent, and to the use of the product for preparing gelatinized products. The invention also relates to gelatinized products prepared by using the aforementioned jellying product. The invention describes especially an alcohol-containing gelatinized product that has been manufactured with a jellying product according to the invention.

Abstract: A diet food formula for overweight people and diabetics, comprising of agar, carrageenans, alginate, chlorella, spirulina, and water. The diet food formula comprises of all natural materials. The diet food formula cannot be metabolized by the human body after ingestion and will supply the human body with proper nutrients that it requires.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for preparing an alimentary granular soft caviar similar to black (granular) caviar. The method involves the preparation of a mixture containing an albuminous colloid, water, and alimentary gelatin to form the grains, exposing the grains to tea water, dye-stuff, salt solution and gustatory components. The grains of caviar are obtained by supplying the mixture under pressure through gauged channels to a cavity with heated vegetable oil in its upper section, separating and washing the grains, tanning the grains in a tea extract, water washing, washing with salt solution, introducing to the product of a gustatory component in an amount not less than 10% of the total weight of the product and mixing the grains with vegetable oil. The albuminous colloidal solution is soy milk, foremilk of mammals, or a mixture of these components, a mixture of cow/soy milk, or whey of soy or cow milk. The grains are dyed by immersion in an extract from the rind of green walnuts.

Abstract: A multi-stage thickening composition for use in facilitating the handling and continuous packaging of a food product, and for providing a desired final shape and texture for the food product. Relatively rapid-setting and slower-setting consumable gels form one preferred thickening composition. The rapid-setting gel allows the food product to be shaped and packaged, while the slower-setting gel allows the food product to be provided with desired texture characteristics that appeal to the consumer.

Abstract: The stabilizer is able to stabilize both fat/oil and water and to improve the texture of mechanically separated meats. The stabilizer is a composite of gelatin, an acid, a sugar component and/or a starch component. The gelatin component is made by treating the gelatin in an aqueous slurry with an acid such that a pH of 1.0 to 4.5 is maintained throughout the treatment process. The stabilizer is especially suited for use in cased meats such as sausage, frankfurters, and bologna.

Abstract: The invention relates to solid preparations of at least two active compounds suitable for the food sector and animal feed sector or for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications having a multicore structure in which at least two cores of a multicore structure have a different chemical composition, a process for their production and the use of these solid preparations to produce food supplements, and as additive to foods, animal feeds, pharmaceutical and cosmetic preparations.

Abstract: Firm, flexible animal feed gel are prepared by a method comprises the steps of:

Abstract: An improved snack food product in the form of resilient, molded, self-sustaining bodies preferably made from a heated mixture comprising a dairy product (cheese, yogurt or pudding), gelatin, fat and water. The product bodies are small and bite sized, having a mass to surface area ratio of from about 0.05-5 g/cm2, which facilitates molding thereof. Preferred food products are prepared by first creating a heated flowable mixture of including cheese, gelatin, fat and water, and depositing small quantities of the mixture into molding depressions formed in powdered starch or a resilient rubber mold; after hardening, the resultant products are separated from the starch or rubber mold and packaged.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-layered, dessert product, such as a pudding product, made from a gel having a continuous aqueous phase and a dispersed colloidal oil phase. The dessert product has at least one layer that contains a natural, oil soluble colorant, preferably dispersed in the oil phase. The products are formed of a layer containing a first colorant and an adjacent layer containing a second, different colorant. The multi-layered gel-based dessert products are made by introducing a gel-based dessert product containing the first colorant into the bottom of a transparent container to form a first layer and then introducing additional gel-based product containing the second colorant into the container to form a second layer on top to the first. The resulting multi-layer product exhibits reduced color migration between the two layers.

Abstract: The stabilizer is able to stabilize both fat/oil and water and to improve the texture of mechanically separated meats. The stabilizer is a composite of gelatin, an acid, a sugar component and/or a starch component. The gelatin component is made by treating the gelatin in an aqueous slurry with an acid such that a pH of 1.0 to 4.5 is maintained throughout the treatment process.

Abstract: An edible confection with a recognizable shape which repeatedly rises and sinks, i.e., “swims,” in a transparent carbonated beverage due to changing buoyancy resulting from the formation of carbonation bubbles on the surface of the confection, and the escape of the bubbles to the atmosphere when the confection reaches the top of the beverage. The ability of the confection to ascend and descend is determined by the density, volume and surface area of the confection, and the volume per unit surface area of bubbles which form on the confection. For a thin confection the conditions for ascension and descension are substantially independent of the dimensions other than the thickness. Bubble nucleation is promoted by a surface which is rough on small length scales, and large bubbles can be retained on the surface if the confection is smooth on larger length scales.

Abstract: Non-frozen low-fat food emulsions comprise a continuous aqueous phase and a dispersed phase which comprises fat particles, gel particles and fat-soluble flavor molecules; substantially all of the fat particles are located within the gel particles, and at least 35 wt % of the flavor molecules are located in a plurality of the gel particles. The rate of release of the flavor molecules from the emulsion is delayed, thereby imparting the taste and mouthfeel of a full-fat emulsion.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a gel-like feed for aquatic animals, especially fish, shrimps and invertebrates, in fresh and sea water, usable as replacement of frost feed for the nutrition of warm and cold water ornamental fish in an aquarium. An ornamental fish feed is preferred which contains 0.001-50% of gel former, 0.1-90% of natural feed and, depending upon the purpose of use, further additives, in the case of a water content of 20-99%. A feed is especially preferred which contains 0.1-10% of gel former, 1-20% of natural feed and, depending upon the purpose of use, further additives in the case of a water content of 50-99%.

Abstract: Soluble bulking agents for replacing up to 100% of the sucrose or other soluble, simple carbohydrates in edible formulations are provided. The bulking agents are substantially non-digestible and have an average molecular weight range of 500 to 50,000. Also provided are edible formulations containing these bulking agents and processes for preparing these bulking agents, preferably by enzymatically depolymerizing naturally-occurring, heteropolysaccha-rides such as pectin, tamarind seed gum, guar gum, locust bean (carob seed) gum, konjac gum, xanthan gum, alginates, agar or other food gums to yield a mixture of heteropolysaccharide fragments having an average DP of 3 to 75, preferably 3 to 30. The process employs one or more enzymes such as 1,4-beta-D-Mannanmannohydrolyase, or 1,6-alpha-D-Galactosidase for degrading 1,4-beta-D-linked mannose-containing heteropolysaccharides (e.g.

Abstract: An ultrapasteurized liquid milk concentrate to provide a reconstituted milk beverage that tastes like fresh milk and a method for producing same. The method comprises heating a milk starting product to an elevated pasteurizing temperature under reduced pressure for an amount of time sufficient to evaporate liquid from the milk starting product to form a pasteurized, high-solids intermediate liquid milk concentrate. An amount of cream is mixed with the intermediate milk concentrate to form a condensed liquid blend having a preselected amount of fat content to produce said reconstituted milk beverage having the desired taste characteristics. A sufficient amount of a stabilizer material with a predetermined amount of said condensed liquid blend to produce a final liquid milk concentrate. The stabilizer material is effective to ensure uniform distribution of and prohibit separation and settling of milk solids in the ultrapasteurized liquid milk concentrate during storage.

Abstract: A microwave cookable or reheatable food material including a substrate foodstuff impregnated with a stabilizer composition adapted to increase in viscosity when irradiated in a microwave oven, and a method of stabilising a microwave cookable or reheatable food material including the step of impregnating the product with the stabilizer composition.

Abstract: A method for making a stable dessert type food product using cream, artificial cream, thickened cream or cream cheese which involves adding to the first aerated mixture as a hot liquid solution gelatine directly into the much cooler mixture while this is being substantially beaten and then allowing the resultant product to set while maintaining the aerated structure.

Abstract: Edible laminated dough is made with a water continuous lamination dispersion. The lamination dispersion includes a combination of hydrocolloids. Expressed on the non-fat contents of the lamination dispersion, 0.5-40% protein hydrocolloid and 0.1-60% non-protein hydrocolloid or gelatin are included. The water content of the lamination dispersion is 15-90%, the fat content 0-80%. From the dough e.g. puff pastry, croissants and Danish pastry can be made having good structure and taste. With the laminated dough a wider range of laminated baked products can be obtained, e.g. containing less or nutritionally more attractive fat having a different taste profile. A preferred combination of hydrocolloids is aggregate gel forming maltodextrin and sodium caseinate. Another preferred lamination dispersion is based on cheese not containing melting salts.

Abstract: A animal product filled chew toy for dogs comprises a relatively hard hollow casing. A relatively soft animal product filling that includes a preservative, a gelling agent, an animal fat and a meat is contained within the hollow casing. The toy also preferably includes a mold inhibitor.