Abstract: The present invention relates generally to fat replacers and their use in various food products. Aspects of the disclosure are particularly directed to oligodextran-based fat replacers that are lower in calories, heat stable, and increase fiber. They can either be used alone or in combination with other additives to decrease the fat content while maintaining good organoleptic properties.

Abstract: Objects of the present invention are to provide a continuous emulsification process and equipment therefor in which exact viscosity is measured inline and production conditions are controlled automatically, and a continuous production method for process cheese type and equipment therefor.

Abstract: A preformed topping disc for providing a predetermined image on a pizza pie when baked, wherein the pizza pie generates vapor and juice when baked. The preformed topping disc includes a preformed cheese disc. The preformed cheese disc contains specifically configured apertures therethrough. The specifically configured apertures in the preformed cheese disc provide the predetermined image on the pizza pie by virtue of the vapor and the juice of the pizza pie oozing through the specifically configured apertures in the preformed cheese disc when the pizza pie is baked. In a first embodiment, the preformed cheese disc is one continuous preformed cheese disc, while in a second embodiment, the preformed cheese disc is made up of multiple individual pieces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cream cheese product obtainable by a process comprising the steps of: (a) acidifying a whey protein concentrate with a food grade acidulant or with starter bacteria to reduce the pH to more than 4.5 to about 5.2, (b) heating the acidified whey protein concentrate of step (a) slowly to a temperature of about 75° to about 90° C. and maintaining it for at least about 30 min to produce a 1.5 functional whey protein concentrate, (c) optionally blending the whey protein concentrate of step (b) with milk fat in a weight ratio of about 60:40 to about 100:0 wherein step (c) may be carried out before step (b), (d) homogenizing the blend obtained in step (b) or (c) in a 2-stage high-pressure homogenizer at pressures of about 300-400/50-80 bar and a temperature of about 5° to about 75° C.

Abstract: A new cheese and its unique method for manufacturing, wherein dry whole milk is the primary ingredient. In the process, and when the milk reaches a ph of approximately 6, salt and tri-potassium phosphate are added to the mixture. The dry mixture can then be shipped or stored until further processing. Then, heated water is added to the mixture, and mixed within a steam jacket, until such time as it forms a thick homogenous mass, and it is then packaged as a whole milk cheese product.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for producing a reticulate dairy based product, comprising subjecting a dairy based product to an extrusion to obtain multiple individual threads of the dairy based product and structuring said multiple individual threads of the dairy based product to obtain a reticulate dairy based product. Moreover the present invention pertains to a reticulate dairy based product obtainable by this method and to a reticulate dairy based product comprising a coherent network of multiple entangled individual threads of a dairy based product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a cheese product containing milk solids ?50% and consisting of a mixture of melted cheese and of at least one cereal, and to a cheese product which may be produced by the method. The cheese product is characterized by a long shelf life, i.e. a shelf life which may be up to 4 months at room temperature.

Abstract: Methods for preparing cheese are provided that involve combining a slurry with a cheese precursor to form an admixture that is subsequently processed to form the cheese product. The slurry typically includes a liquid such as water, milk and/or cream and one or more ingredients that are useful for inclusion in the final cheese product. Systems for preparing such slurries and cheese products are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Carnallite salt preparation useful in edible products, such as a food, beverage, dietary supplement, oral care, nutraceutical pet food, animal feed, pharmaceutical and other edible products. The Carnallite salt preparation of the invention is without high levels of sodium chloride and notably low in bromide. The Carnallite salt preparation may be a food grade product with dietary acceptable bromide levels. The present invention further relates to edible products comprising the Carnallite salt preparation, such as reduced sodium food products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bacterial cell with texturizing property, starter cultures comprising the cell, and dairy products fermented with the starter culture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cream cheese product obtainable by a process comprising the steps of: (a) acidifying a whey protein concentrate with a food grade acidulant or with starter bacteria to reduce the pH to more than 4.5 to about 5.2, (b) heating the acidified whey protein concentrate of step (a) slowly to a temperature of about 75° to about 90° C. and maintaining it for at least about 30 min to produce a 1.5 functional whey protein concentrate, (d) homogenizing the blend obtained in step (b) to produce an emulsified functional whey protein concentrate, (e) blending the product of step (d) with curd the fat content of which is adjusted in accordance with the desired product, and adding salt and optional stabilizers, and (f) homogenizing the product of step (e).

Abstract: Methods and compositions for producing cheese with S. thermophilus and a urease inhibitor, and for producing hard or semi-hard cheese, such as cheddar, with S. thermophilus that is partially or completely deficient in its ability to release ammonia from urea are provided. Methods and compositions for reducing the amount of open texture (e.g., slits, cracks, or fractures) in hard and semi-hard cheeses, as well as hard and semi-hard cheeses that comprise one or more S. thermophilus bacteria that are partially or completely deficient in their ability to release ammonia from urea, are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to amphiphilic sterol- and fat-based particles, which can be dispersed in liquid foods and beverages such as milk. The compositions provided, when consumed, reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and total plasma cholesterol (TC) levels.

Abstract: A thermostable glycosidase enzymes derived from various Thermococcus, Staphylothermus and Pyrococcus organisms is disclosed. The enzymes are produced from native or recombinant host cells and can be utilized in the food processing industry, pharmaceutical industry and in the textile industry, detergent industry and in the baking industry.

Abstract: Sterile oil-in-water emulsion containing a water phase, one or more water soluble ingredient(s) and one or more emulsifiers selected from the group of caseinates.

Abstract: A tomato composition obtained from tomato juice having the following composition in percentage by weight: dry residue>20% up to 99%, water<80% down to 1%; 100% being the sum of the two components, wherein the among of water insoluble solids in the dry residue ranges in percentage by weight from 18% to 70%.

Abstract: A method for modifying the resilience of a flexible layer having a predetermined footprint and to be formed from a predetermined amount of edible material is described. The method includes increasing the thickness of the flexible layer whilst maintaining the predetermined amount of edible material and the footprint of the flexible layer. In one embodiment, increasing the thickness involves moulding in a flowable form the predetermined amount of edible material in a mould, the mould including a moulding region of substantially the same footprint as the flexible layer with the moulding region including at least one projection extending from the moulding region. The predetermined amount of edible material is then allowed to set.

Abstract: Novel structuring compositions and food products including those compositions are provided. The compositions comprise a mono- and diglyceride mixture and have high levels of ?? crystals and small average crystallite sizes. They can be incorporated into intermediate food products such as shortenings and margarines, which can then be used to make a final food such as pastries (e.g., puff pastries, Danishes, donuts), doughs (e.g., for cookies, pie crusts), imitation cheese, icings, frozen potatoes (e.g., French Fries), and/or other foods requiring a fat to provide structure. Advantageously, the compositions provide structure to the final food by replacing unhealthy fats that would otherwise be used to provide structure in the same food item.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for producing cheese in which the method includes the steps of: providing dairy milk, which could be a skimmed milk and cream mixture; producing a gel-type curd/whey mixture by coagulation; and cutting the curd/whey mixture in a cheese processor such that the whey flows out of the curd.

Abstract: Process: providing concentrated milk composition including milk protein; providing plant fat composition including plant fat; combining first amount of concentrated milk composition together with second amount of plant fat composition, forming concentrated milk-plant fat composition having initial pH and having concentration by weight of water being within range of between about 49%-57%; combining concentrated milk-plant fat composition together with amount of edible acid, and directly setting by adjusting initial pH to reduced pH being within range of between about 4.9-4.5, forming direct-set milk-plant fat product; and combining first amount of direct-set milk-plant fat product together with second amount of cultured cream cheese-type product, forming cream cheese-type composition. Process also includes providing concentrated milk composition and plant fat composition respectively at first and second temperatures being at least about 20° F. above melting points of respective compositions.

Abstract: Process includes: forming milk-plant fat composition including first amount of milk composition that includes milk fat and milk protein, and second amount of plant fat composition that includes plant fat; inoculating milk-plant fat composition with lactic acid-producing bacteria; culturing the bacteria; and separating milk-plant fat composition, forming milk-plant fat-curd cheese, and whey composition. Further in process, milk-plant fat composition has concentration by weight of total solids selected as being within range of between about 17% and about 21%. Additionally in process, milk-plant fat composition has first concentration by weight of milk protein and second concentration by weight of combined fats including milk fat and plant fat, wherein ratio of first concentration divided by second concentration is selected as being within range of between about 0.19 and about 0.26. Composition: milk-plant fat-curd cheese.

Abstract: Process that includes: providing dilute aqueous liquid acid whey protein composition containing acid whey proteins; filtering dilute aqueous liquid acid whey protein composition, forming concentrated aqueous liquid acid whey protein composition containing acid whey proteins; combining together concentrated aqueous liquid acid whey protein composition and edible caustic composition in suitable proportions to result in substantially neutral pH; denaturing acid whey proteins at elevated temperature, forming concentrated aqueous liquid denatured acid whey protein composition; providing milk composition containing butterfat and substantial concentrations of native casein and whey proteins; combining together milk composition and concentrated aqueous liquid denatured acid whey protein composition, forming dairy mix containing butterfat and protein composition including native casein and whey proteins and denatured acid whey proteins; inoculating dairy mix with lactic acid—producing bacteria; culturing lactic acid—p

Abstract: Process: providing concentrated milk composition including milk protein; providing plant fat composition including plant fat; combining first amount of concentrated milk composition together with second amount of plant fat composition, forming concentrated milk-plant fat composition having initial pH and having concentration by weight of water being within range of between about 49% and about 57%; combining concentrated milk-plant fat composition together with amount of edible acid, and directly setting concentrated milk-plant fat composition by adjusting initial pH to reduced pH being within range of between about 4.9 and about 4.5; thereby forming uniform non-separating direct-set milk-plant fat product substantially retaining the milk protein. Process also includes providing concentrated milk composition and plant fat composition respectively at first and second temperatures being at least about 20° F. above melting points of respective compositions.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for preparing processed cheese and processed cheese products having reduced sodium content, while retaining desirable organoleptic characteristics, processability, food safety attributes and functional characteristics normally associated with processed cheese or processed cheese products having normal sodium content, and the processed cheeses and processed cheese products so produced.

Abstract: Techniques for making a yogurt-cheese-oil product, comprising steps of: providing a milkfat-oil fluid comprising butterfat and an oil; pasteurizing the milkfat-oil fluid to produce a cheese-oil precursor; combining yogurt with the cheese-oil precursor to produce a combined yogurt-cheese-oil precursor; and homogenizing and acidifying the combined yogurt-cheese-oil precursor; producing a yogurt-cheese-oil product. Yogurt-cheese-oil products: comprising between about 10% by weight and about 80% by weight of total butterfat; comprising between about 2% by weight and about 52.5% by weight of an oil; comprising between about 10% by weight and about 50% by weight of yogurt; and yielding less than about 1% syneresis by weight after 15 hours at about 74° F. to about 75° F.

Abstract: Methods for preparing cheese are provided that involve combining a slurry with a cheese precursor to form an admixture that is subsequently processed to form the cheese product. The slurry typically includes a liquid such as water, milk and/or cream and one or more ingredients that are useful for inclusion in the final cheese product. Systems for preparing such slurries and cheese products are also provided.

Abstract: Described herein is a high moisture, preserved cheese product having enhanced microbial food safety and methods of making the high moisture, preserved cheese product. Enhanced microbial food safety is achieved by using a combination of organic food preserving acids, a nisin component and an enzyme.

Abstract: There is also provided a method of producing a natural cheese having improved melt characteristics from a quantity of raw milk. The method includes separating the raw milk into a cream portion and a reduced fat milk portion. A portion of the cream portion is emulsified in a machine with a mild homogenate process producing reduced size fat globules. All of the cream portion and the reduced fat milk portion is combined into a cheese fluid and pasteurized. A coagulating agent is added to the cheese fluid and processed to produce a natural cheese having improved melt characteristics from the cheese fluid including the emulsified cream portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of at least one fatty acid of the omega-3 group, selected from among ?-linolenic acid and stearidonic acid, and of at least one polyphenol as an agent for increasing the endogenous synthesis of eicosapentanoic acid and docosahexanoic acid, for preparing a food, health, or pharmaceutical composition to be administered to a human being or to an animal.

Abstract: Methods for reducing the sodium content of finished food products comprising adding trehalose to suitable food products in an amount ranging from greater than 0% to less than 1.5% by weight of the finished food product and by optionally further adding sodium and or potassium. Ingredient systems for achieving salt (i.e. sodium) reduction in suitable food products are also provided. The ingredient systems comprise trehalose and can include sodium, potassium, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Methods for reducing the sodium content of finished food products comprising adding trehalose to suitable food products in an amount ranging from greater than 0% to less than 1.5% by weight of the finished food product and by optionally further adding sodium and or potassium. Ingredient systems for achieving salt (i.e. sodium) reduction in suitable food products are also provided. The ingredient systems comprise trehalose and can include sodium, potassium, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a ripened cheese and cheese-like product having a sodium content of at most 0.3% (w/w) and/or fat content of at most 30% (w/w), the method improving organoleptic properties by using a milk- and/or whey-based mineral product and/or a biologically active peptide.

Abstract: A method for producing a cheese-containing food, the method including a step (1) of heating a soft cheese-containing mixture that contains 70 to 100% by mass of a soft cheese using a Joule heater, and a step (2) of stirring the heated soft cheese-containing mixture under shearing in a high speed shear cooker, wherein the series of steps including the steps (1) and (2) is performed at least twice. With this method, a cheese-containing food having satisfactory quality in terms of smoothness in the mouth and flavor and the like can be produced by using a raw material having a high soft cheese content.

Abstract: A continuous process for preparing low moisture filata cheese directly from cheese curd includes the following steps: (a) providing a jacketed kneading chamber with a hollow interior, with the chamber having inlet and outlet openings and a pair of hollow auger members rotatably mounted therein between the inlet and outlet openings; (b) passing a heated fluid through the jacket of the kneading chamber and through the hollow auger members; (c) supplying cheese curd with no additional liquid to the hollow interior of the jacketed kneading chamber via the inlet opening therein; (d) rotating the pair of hollow auger members to knead and melt the cheese curd, thereby producing a low moisture filata cheese while transporting the low moisture filata cheese from the inlet opening to the outlet opening of the jacketed kneading chamber; (e) removing the low moisture filata cheese from the jacketed kneading chamber via the outlet opening.

Abstract: An object is to provide a pasteurized fresh cheese which has a smooth texture and a good taste, shows little water release, scarcely shows a lowering in pH or acidity and has a long best-before period. The objective is achieved by a method for processing a pasteurized fresh cheese comprising the steps of: (a) coagulating a starting milk material to obtain a curd; (b) adding a stabilizer to the curd; (c) pasteurizing the curd by heating; and, (d) separating a whey from the curd to obtain a cheese curd.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bacterial cell with texturizing property, starter cultures comprising the cell, and dairy products fermented with the starter culture.

Abstract: A composition for delivering edible salts into food products via microcapsules having a protein-polysaccharide shell matrix and an edible salt-containing active material. A method of treating osteoporosis is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of producing a standard of identity cream cheese that is flowable at refrigerated temperatures is provided. The method includes providing freshly made or reheated standard of identity cream cheese at a temperature of at least about 150° F. The cream cheese is then cooled while at least intermittently shear mixing the cream cheese. At least some of the shear mixing is carried out while the cream cheese is at a temperature of 70° F. or greater. The flowable standard of identity cream cheese can be converted from a flowable state at refrigerated temperatures to a solid state at refrigerated temperatures by reheating the flowable standard of identity cream cheese to a temperature above 100° F., and cooling the cream cheese to refrigerated temperatures without mixing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a cheese or a cheese preparation. The invention furthermore relates to a cheese or a cheese preparation. The invention furthermore relates to a device for producing a cheese or a cheese preparation. The method according to the invention uses an initial material, preferably a curd, a matured cheese or a preparation of fresh or matured cheese and a milk and/or whey retentate and comprises the following steps: a) reduction of the initial material such that the initial material has a homogenous, firm, finely granulated structure having grain sizes of ?10 mm, or addition of a reduced initial material; b) impinging the material with a vacuum during step a); c) shaping of the material; and d) portioning of the material.

Abstract: A process of producing a filled sheet of process cheese, in which process cheese and a filling are co-extruded into a packaging material to produce a strand having a thickness, the strand is separated at predetermined locations to produce separate sheets, in which the filling is fully enclosed. A machine for producing filled sheets of process cheese, having a co-extrusion nozzle with an outer port for extruding an outer component and an inner port for extruding an inner component fully enclosed by the outer component into packaging material to form a co-extruded strand. The machine may comprise a device for reducing the thickness of the co-extruded strand, such as two or more cooperating rollers, and a device for separating the co-extruded strand, such as two or more rollers having ridges. A sheet of process cheese filled with a filling fully enclosed by the process cheese and having a thickness of 6 mm or less is also disclosed.

Abstract: Processed cheese is prepared in a process where the ingredients include at least 0.5% non-denatured whey protein concentrate and at least 0.5% denatured whey protein concentrate. The method can be used to prepared processed cheese with improved melting characteristics.

Abstract: A novel method for producing a natural cheese is described. The present method utilizes a combination of heating, mechanical processing and pH changes to produce a natural cheese.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a food product comprises a non-fat base, one or more polyunsaturated fatty acids, and one or more stabilizing ingredients. The stabilizing ingredients are selected to reduce the rate at which the polyunsaturated fatty acids oxidize in the non-fat base. At least one of the one or more stabilizing ingredients comprises a protein, a lipid, or a protein-and-lipid combination.

Abstract: A method for preparing a modified whey protein concentrate (WPC) or whey protein isolate (WPI) is described. It involves (a) providing an aqueous WPC or WPI solution having a protein concentration of 15-50% (w/v), at a pH of 4.7-8.5; (b) heat treating the solution to more than 50° C., for a time that allows protein denaturation to occur; the heat treating comprising heating the solution while under conditions of turbulent flow. At the end of the heat treatment, the heat treated material may be promptly transferred to a drier or to be mixed with other ingredients. The heat-treated WPC or WPI is not subjected to a mechanical shear process prior to the transfer other than where liquid is converted into droplets to facilitate drying. The modified WPC is useful in the manufacture of food and drinks where a high protein content is desired without undesirable changes in texture.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the manufacture of cottage cheese from milk using citric acid to precipitate the curd. The citric acid is supplied by fermentation of the lactose contained in the byproduct whey.

Abstract: A method for producing cottage cheese by using Streptococcus thermophilus bacteria.

Abstract: Methods of making acid and rennet-based cheeses include processing a previous lot of milk to produce curds and whey from the previous lot of milk, and removing the whey from the curd. For cottage cheeses, curds are washed with a wash water. Whey and wash water (when used) include fine particles of curd, which are collected, added, and mixed into a subsequent lot of milk preferably using a mixer such as a homogenizer or colloid mill. Mixing preferably reduces the fine particle size of at least a plurality of the fine particles and increases the total amount of surface area thereof. Fine particles are reincorporated into the matrix of the curd made from the subsequent lot of milk, which increases curd yield. Also provided is a higher yield cheese that is made from a subsequent lot of milk that includes fine particles of curd from a previous lot of milk.

Abstract: A grain-based, soft and creamy food filling that is heat-stable is provided. By one approach, the grain-based food filling may include a continuous lipid phase and a dispersed solid including a grain-derived component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for the manufacture of cheese, in particular hard and semi-hard cheese types. There is provided a process for the manufacture of a natural cheese comprising the steps of inoculating milk with a bacterial starter culture, adding rennet to form a curd, and subjecting the curd to a salting step by the addition of salt wherein a hydrocolloid or mixture thereof is added to the curd during the salting step and the hydrocolloid or mixture thereof replaces at least part of the salt or is in addition to the salt used during the salting step. There is also provided the use of such a salt and hydrocolloid mixture as a process aid during the salting step of natural cheese production.

Abstract: Cooked and homogenized cheese products and methods, using supplemental phospholipids to provide reduced melt restriction and modulate oiling-off. One embodiment provides a cooked cheese product having at least one natural cheese in the range of 20 to 92 percent weight; a protein supplement in the range of 0.25 to 30 percent weight; and a phospholipid supplement in the range of about 0.1 to 1 percent weight; wherein cooked cheese product is homogeneous does not contain significant levels of emulsifying salts. The phospholipid supplement can be in the range of about 0.25 to 1 percent weight, and preferably 0.4 percent weight. Homogenizing the cooked cheese product can be by a pressure in the range of about 70 to 246 Kg/cm.