Abstract: A low viscosity, high gel strength protein-starch composition is provided. The protein-starch composition contains a denatured protein material and a starch material which are complexed together where the starch material is in a substantially non-gelatinized state. The protein-starch composition has a low viscosity prior to cooking, yet has a high gel strength after being cooked. A meat emulsion is also provided which contains a meat material and the protein-starch composition. A process is provided for forming the protein-starch composition in which an aqueous slurry of a protein material is formed, the protein in the slurry is denatured by subjecting the slurry to temperatures sufficient to denature the protein, a starch material is mixed into the slurry of denatured protein, and the slurry of starch and protein material is spray dried under conditions which cause the protein material and starch material to complex without gelatinizing the starch material.

Abstract: A process for decolorizing, sanitizing and deodorizing a food product with ozone. The food product and water are mixed to form an initial solution and supplied to a pumping device to pressurize the solution. An ozone containing gas is injected into the initial solution in order to allow the treatment of the food product, without the occurrence of liquid/gas demixing. The apparatus includes a pumping device for pressurizing the solution, a contactor into which the pressurized solution is fed, a source of ozone, and at least one injector for injecting ozone into the solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a savory vegetable preparation which is storable at room temperature and is suitable as a topping and/or filling. According to the process, coarsely chopped vegetables are boiled in an aqueous polydextrose solution to form a substantially homogeneous base mass having a Brix of 65-72.degree., preferably 68-70.degree. Bx. The base mass thus produced is admixed with structure-giving constituents in small pieces and, if appropriate, again briefly heated to form a preparation of 70-74.degree. Bx which still comprises the structure-giving constituents in piece form. Then, with addition of seasoning and flavoring components and edible acids and/or their salts, a final Brix of 73-80.degree. Bx, an a.sub.w of <0.85 and a pH of .ltoreq.5.5 is achieved.

Abstract: Sources of neat having a high fat content, such as pork trimmings, are processed in a manner by which meat products prepared therefrom have a dramatically reduced fat content while retaining the desirable functionality of the unprocessed meat sources. The fat-containing meat trimmings or the like are comminuted, phosphated, heated and centrifuged under specific processing conditions in order to provide unformulated raw low-fat or no-fat meat having a fat content of not greater than about 1.5 percent by weight while having excellent functionality.

Abstract: A protein-containing composition is provided which is produced by the steps of: coagulating a protein-containing material; emulsifying the protein-containing material; continuously heating the protein-containing material to a predetermined temperature and maintaining that temperature for a period of time sufficient to sterilize the protein-containing material; continuously cooling the protein-containing material; and aseptically packaging the protein containing material. The resulting product is a high quality, highly palatable, and highly digestible protein source which can be shipped without special accommodations regardless of temperature.

Abstract: Bacon products having very low fat contents are provided from high fat sources which can include pork trimmings. The bacon products are made from a composite of two low-fat meat components. In an illustrated arrangement, one of the low-fat meat components is processed from high-fat content meat trimmings which are comminuted, heated and centrifuged, preferably in conjunction with being phosphated, under specific processing conditions. The second low-fat component in the illustrated arrangement is desinewed to remove substantial amounts of fat associated with the sinew that is mechanically removed from whole muscle tissue. The bacon product has a total fat content of not greater than about 5 percent by weight. It can be of the no-fat or fat-free variety within which fat contents which meet the regulatory definition will vary depending upon the particular type of product being made. Fat contents can be not greater than about 3.

Abstract: An uncooked meat portion that has shape-retaining and non-agglomeration properties is formed by subjecting the meat product to a process that causes controlled migration of soluble protein to the surface of nugget portions for positive internal binding characteristics, and subsequently heating the portions to a sufficient level to denature the surface proteins thereby encapsulating each portion in a thin-layer that will not stick to other encapsulated portions and that will enable each uncooked portion to retain it shape during handling.

Abstract: A completely digestible highly nutritious dog chew formulated primarily of turkey meal, rice meal, casein and starch carbohydrate, the texture of hardness of which is easily modified to suit a particular do g by the dog owner. By irradiating the chew in a microwave oven, the chew is caused to expand and is thereby rendered more easily chewable.

Abstract: Pet chews (140, 141) are made from pieces of cleaned cattle hooves (10) by reducing the hoof pieces to a range of particulate sizes, such as by tumbling the pieces of hooves within a rotary chipping drum (62). The particulate hoof material (30) is separated by size at a shaker table assembly (104). Several sizes (A-E) of particulate hoof material are combined in chosen proportions with a collagen protein binder (144) and formed into the pet chews, typically by compression or by extrusion, having appropriate strength, hardness and toughness.

Abstract: A method for sanitizing minced meat consisting in quickly heating the minced meat by microwave heating and hot air under a pressure increasing from atmospheric pressure to an overpressure which prevents liquid evaporation, in subsequent heating of the minced meat by microwave heating up to a sterilization temperature and under constant overpressure for preventing liquid evaporation, and in finally cooling the minced meat under a pressure gradually decreasing to the atmospheric pressure, with the sterilization temperature being maintained below a threshold temperature at which the meat changes organoleptic characteristics with respect to its raw meet state.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the calculated removal of fat from pork skin. Pork skin is subjected to tumbling cycles during which the pork skin is tumbled first in warm water and subsequently in warm water containing salt and concentrated laundry detergent. As this two step cycle is repeated, fat contained within the pork skin separates and is drained from the pork skin with the rinse water. The cycle may be repeated until the pork skin contains a desired percentage of fat. The process does not require that the pork skin be ground or otherwise comminuted in order to selectively remove fat from the material, nor does the process use harsh solvents or chemicals that might render the pork skin inedible or toxic. Because the process is all natural, the reduced fat whole pork skin is edible and may be formed into a variety of canine treats through additional processing and cooking.

Abstract: A food product having flavor, taste and mouthfeel like "chikuwa" and a low fat content is prepared by adding to an amount of chopped poultry or animal meat water in an amount of 40 to 100% by weight of the amount of the meat, an alkaline substance in an amount of 0.1 to 1.0% by weight of the amount of the meat, and a suitable amount of a seasoning and/or a spice; the mixture having been ground under a vacuum below 100 torr and formed into pieces of a desired shape, which have been heat-coagulated. A process for preparing the product is also provided.

Abstract: An uncooked meat portion that has shape-retaining and non-agglomeration properties is formed by subjecting the meat product to a process that causes controlled migration of soluble protein to the surface of nugget portions for positive internal binding characteristics, and subsequently heating the portions to a sufficient level to denature the surface proteins thereby encapsulating each portion in a thin-layer that will not stick to other encapsulated portions and that will enable each uncooked portion to retain it shape during handling.

Abstract: A dry or semi-dry sausage product is provided which includes up to 15% by weight of an added particulate protein component. The added protein component is in addition to the protein present in the meat used in the sausage mixture and serves to improve the performance of the resulting product, particularly after the sausage has been heat treated at high temperatures during processing to eliminate pathogens which may be present in the ingredient mix. The added protein component is typically a denatured or hydrolyzed protein and can include one or more of meat stock, milk protein hydrolyzate, yeast extract, hydrolyzed yeast, autolyzed yeast, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, hydrolyzed animal protein and cooked meat.

Abstract: An edible material made from fish, shellfish, crustacean, poultry or animal meat by adding to 100 parts by weight of said meat 1.0 to 6.0 parts by weight of ethanol and 0.2 to 1.0 part by weight of an alkaline substance and grinding the mixture in a vacuum below 100 torr. The material has a low fat and a high protein content, a high caloric value and a high quality and is soft to the touch in the mouth and less likely to be contaminated with microorganisms and suitable as a material for various kinds of processed food. A process for preparing the material is also described.

Abstract: Prior to incorporating meat trimmings into a meat piece, particles of the trimmings are fermented with bacteria to obtain fermented trim particles for incorporating into a meat piece and fat is added to the trimmings before the trimmings are particulated, or to the trim particles before fermentation or to the trim particles during fermentation so that the added fat is present during fermentation for obtaining a mixture of fermented trim particles and added fat, and after fermentation, the mixture is frozen and then suspended in a brine or pickle or marinade and then the suspension is incorporated into a meat piece.

Abstract: The sausage strand is extruded onto a belt and carried through a brine shower system for about 40 seconds. The brine is sprayed through nozzles onto the sausage while traveling on the belt. The sausage is turned several times during the shower to insure even brine distribution. The conveyor speed is controlled to match the speed of the extruder thereby preventing stretching of the product as it is being extruded. The conveyor provides exact motion control of the sausage rope and the dwell time in the brine shower can be exactly regulated. Since the conveyor system is open it lends itself to easy cleaning and visual inspection. The conveyor consists of a frame which supports the conveyor system, the brine shower system, air knives and the infrared heater. The brine shower system is composed of a drip pan, a brine tank, a centrifugal pump and a plumbing/brine distribution network. The centrifugal pump conveys the brine from the tank through the brine distribution network.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a system for pressing meat products. The system includes a press rack having platens that are movable between a loading position in which meat products can be loaded between the platens, and a pressing position in which the platens are adapted to press the meat products. A hydraulic locking and release mechanism is used to selectively retain the platens in the pressing position. The system also includes a floor mounted closing unit that provides the power for moving the press rack from the loading position to the pressing position.

Abstract: A method for cutting a pork butt to provide pork products having substantially enhanced value involves first removing the blade bone from the pork butt. The principal shoulder muscles of the pork butt are located and identified and one or more seams extending around portions of at least one of the muscles is cut to remove at least one principal shoulder muscle from the remainder of the pork butt. The removed shoulder muscle is denuded by removing substantially all cartilage, fat, connective tissue, membrane, and other non-muscle material from each outer surface to provide essentially a solid pork muscle. The denuded shoulder muscle is cut into one or more generally solid pork products, each pork product being very low in fat content and of relatively high economic value. Each of the pork products is tenderized prior to being offered for sale.

Abstract: An inline macerating method and apparatus for treating pieces of meat with a liquid wherein the pieces of meat are first injected with the liquid and then drawn by suction through a duct in which the piece of meat is incised by cutting edges extending into the path of the pieces of meat as they traverse the duct. The pieces of meat then pass into a paddle massager or tumbler in which the liquid is massaged into the tissue.

Abstract: A meat product is prepared by mixing frozen particles of salami in a brine, a pickle, or a marinade medium to obtain a suspension of the frozen particles in the medium and then the suspension is incorporated into a chilled portioned piece of meat to obtain a meat product containing the suspension.

Abstract: An uncooked meat portion that has shape-retaining and non-agglomeration properties is formed by subjecting the meat product to a process that causes controlled migration of soluble protein to the surface of nugget portions for positive internal binding characteristics, and subsequently heating the portions to a sufficient level to denature the surface proteins thereby encapsulating each portion in a thin-layer that will not stick to other encapsulated portions and that will enable each uncooked portion to retain it shape during handling.

Abstract: Disclosure is made of a process for producing materials for fish paste products which comprises the step 1 of milling a frozen ground fish meat to thereby give a frozen ground fish meat in the form of fine particles having a diameter of 1 mm or less, thawing a frozen ground fish meat under milling to thereby give a thawed ground fish meat in the form of fine particles, or thawing a frozen ground fish meat and then cutting it to thereby give a thawed ground fish meat, and the step 2 of mixing under stirring the ground fish meat obtained in the step 1 with the use of a stirring means, provided that a cake mixer is employed as the stirring means, when a frozen ground fish meat is thawed to give thawed ground fish meat in the step 1. Use of this process makes it possible to efficiently provide materials ensuring the production of fish paste products with good qualities, e.g. improved gel strength.

Abstract: A method of preparing low fat sausage having a juicy feeling is provided by adding heat-denatured whey protein and emulsified composition comprising heat-denatured whey protein and edible oil and fat to raw material meat for sausage.The invention also provides low fat sausage which has the same meat structure and juicy feeling as usual sausage comprising animal fat such as hog fat and the like.

Abstract: A method for producing a fully-cooked, semi-moist, shelf stable meat product by: mixing common ingredients that act as antimicrobials or bacteria growth suppressors with raw meat, choosing other ingredients to add to the mixture for controlling end-product water activity, cooking the resulting mixture at temperatures which produce pasteurization, and controlling end-product package atmosphere. The method of preparation comprises admixing meat (any species of suitable animal protein) with vegetable particulates, flours, isolates, concentrates, or other extendable protein sources. The resulting mid-process product is then mixed with water replacing compounds, or humectants, such as sugar, salt, flavors, colors, preservatives. The raw product mixture is then moved to a scraped-surface heat exchanger for pasteurization. The method is complete after cooling the product to ambient temperature and packaging under anaerobic vacuum using a moisture/microbe impermeable barrier.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for preparing diced or sliced pepperoni includes the steps of preparing the pepperoni meat mixture by grinding and mixing to specification. The blended sausage is extruded into sheet form for fermentation and cooking, following which the cooled meat mixture is chilled to 35.degree. F. or lower and sliced or sliced and diced. The product is thereafter conveyed to a spiral dryer where it is exposed to relatively warm (about 50.degree. F. to 120.degree. F.) air at an initial relative humidity of 30% or less under turbulent air flow. The dried pepperoni is conveyed to a chiller or freezer. The pepperoni has desirable flow characteristics when compared to product made using known pepperoni manufacturing processes.

Abstract: Processed meat is prepared by impregnating raw meat with a solution of a salt and a solution of an alkali in a concentration of 1.0 mole to 7.0 mole or a solution containing the salt and the alkali or by physically applying external force to the meat in the salt solution and in the alkali solution in a concentration of 0.1 mole to 4.0 mole or in a solution containing the salt and the alkali or while injecting the meat with the salt solution and in the alkali solution in a concentration of 0.1 mole to 4.0 mole or in a solution containing the salt and the alkali.

Abstract: A feed additive for dairy cattle is described comprising DHA and inhibitors of microbial degradation of DHA in the rumen of the dairy cattle. A method of producing milk in dairy cattle which is enriched for DHA is also described comprising feeding the dairy cattle a feed containing the feed additive of the invention for a period of at least about 14 day, and milking the dairy cattle to obtain milk enriched for DHA.

Abstract: A cooked, extruded meat product comprising a meat extrudate having an outwardly facing surface, which meat extrudate is impregnated with an additive in an additive zone which extends inwardly from the surface to a depth of at least 1 mm, typically 1-5 mm. The meat product may comprise a co-extruded layer of fat or meat emulsion disposed circumjacent the meat layer or core. Also provided is a method of making the extruded meat product.

Abstract: The use of proteolytic enzymes and heat gelling gums or sodium alginate and/or starches to manufacture pureed meat and/or poultry products from raw meat and/or poultry. The proteolytic enzyme is used to digest the meat and/or poultry proteins upon heating. This gives the cooked product its desired pureed texture. The heat gelling gum or sodium alginate and/or starch is added to the product formulation to bind the digested proteins into the appropriate shape and/or to tie up water.

Abstract: Bacon products having very low fat contents are provided from high fat sources which can include pork trimmings. The bacon products are made from a composite of two low-fat meat components. One of the low-fat meat components is processed from high-fat content meat trimmings which are comminuted, heated and centrifuged, preferably in conjunction with being phosphated, under specific processing conditions. The second low-fat component is desinewed to remove substantial amounts of fat associated with the sinew that is mechanically removed from whole muscle tissue. The bacon product has a total fat content of not greater than about 5 percent by weight.

Abstract: Fat free meat products are provided which incorporate whole muscle components that are selectively and precisely separated from larger whole muscle groups, such as hams. The whole muscle components have a weight percent fat of not greater than 1.5, usually less. A brine composition is also incorporated. The fat free meat products have a fat percentage of about 0.9 weight percent or below. Typically, the fat free meat also includes finely textured reduced fat meat such as that processed by grinding and centrifuging. Residual trim cuts formed during subdivision of the whole muscle groups are greatly reduced in fat content by removing gristle or connective tissue or other fatty tissue from these residual trim cuts.

Abstract: Low-fat meat foods with much of the flavor and physical properties of conventional full-fat meat foods are provided. These low-fat meat foods comprise meat and thermo-irreversible starch gel. Also provided are methods of making low-fat meat foods comprising combining low-fat meat with thermo-irreversible starch gel.

Abstract: A method for treating an aqueous protein solution so as to kill microorganisms which may be present therein, but without causing coagulation, comprises either (1) mixing the solution with sufficient enzymatically produced protein hydrolysate (H1) to prevent coagulation of the mixture when the mixture is subsequently subjected to a heat treatment to kill microorganisms, and then subjecting the mixture to such a heat treatment, or (2) using one or more enzymes to hydrolyze protein in the aqueous protein solution to an extent sufficient to prevent coagulation of the resulting liquid hydrolysate (H2) when it is subsequently subjected to a heat treatment to kill microorganisms, and then subjecting the liquid hydrolysate (H2) to such a heat treatment. The use of aqueous protein solutions treated in this manner in the production of a foodstuff, such as a meat-based foodstuff, contributes very significantly to reducing any risk of contamination of the foodstuff by harmful microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition of soft-shelled turtles and tortoises (TT composition) and a method for the preparation of the same. It also relates to the extensive use which is beneficial to human being.

Abstract: The process for making elver or eel substitute uses three separate paste mixtures which are prepared from surimi, salt and olive oil. Two of the paste mixtures have varying amounts of cuttlefish ink so that one of the pastes is gray in color while the other is dark in color. The paste mixture without any cuttlefish ink is light in color. These three separate paste mixtures are then separately transported and extruded through a nozzle head. The nozzle head has a cross-section similar to an elver and the three paste mixtures are joined at the nozzle head to form a layered roll where the light-colored paste is superimposed on the gray-colored paste and a thread of the dark-colored paste is positioned between the two pastes and at one end of the roll. The roll is then cut into pieces which take the appearance of an elver. The pieces are cooked in salt water at 75.degree.-95.degree. C. for 1-3 minutes and then cooled in a thermal shock vat with water at 4.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for processing poultry which converts a commodity into a food product, provides varying levels of enhanced nutrition and flavor in the several raw poultry meat products obtained from each whole bird, provides less expensive poultry meat products than can be prepared by current processing techniques, effectively maximizes use of all of the meat available from a poultry carcass, and provides even product flow from poultry carcasses to white meat biased consumers. The method provides for the sectioning, de-boning, and cutting of a bird carcass to provide several breast meat portions and one leg meat portion each with a packet formed therein. The remainder of the meat on the poultry carcass is ground with dark meat from one leg meat portion, and varying amounts of non-meat protein enhancing and flavor enhancing ingredients to form a solidified cohesively bonded mass that is extruded onto each meat portion which after rolling retains the mass centrally therein for easy handling and even cooking.

Abstract: A process for the production of a natural and gelling food ingredient constituted by proteins of muscular fibers from red meat muscular flesh or muscular flesh of fish, crustacea, mollusks, or cephalopods. The process comprises subjecting the flesh to a gentle destructuring which does not damage the muscular fibers, continuously mixing the muscular flesh thus destructured with a predetermined volume of water, the mixture leaving at a predetermined temperature, adjusting the temperature of the mixture to at least one precisely predetermined temperature, subjecting the mixture thus thermally treated to fractionation centrifugally or by mechanical pressure, and rapidly cooling the recovered solid phase to a temperature below 10.degree. C.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing reduced-fat meat by injecting dry solids such as phosphate powder into a flow of meat supply, includes a passageway for passing the meat therethrough, a ram chamber having a feed ram such that the feed ram is capable of being positioned in any one of a feed position and a fill position, the ram chamber having a particulate opening for entry of dry solids into the ram chamber, and a feed port providing a path for the feeding of the dry solids into the passageway. A control gate is placed generally along the passageway wherein it is capable of opening and closing the feed port.

Abstract: The sausage strand is extruded onto a belt and carried through a brine shower system for about 40 seconds. The brine is sprayed through nozzles onto the sausage while traveling on the belt. The sausage is turned several times during the shower to insure even brine distribution. The conveyor speed is controlled to match the speed of the extruder thereby preventing stretching of the product as it is being extruded. The conveyor provides exact motion control of the sausage rope and the dwell time in the brine shower can be exactly regulated. Since the conveyor system is open it lends itself to easy cleaning and visual inspection. The conveyor consists of a frame which supports the conveyor system, the brine shower system, air knives and the infrared heater. The brine shower system is composed of a drip pan, a brine tank, a centrifugal pump and a plumbing/brine distribution network. The centrifugal pump conveys the brine from the tank through the brine distribution network.

Abstract: A method and system for producing low fat ground meat is disclosed. The method relates to a method of cooking raw ground meat so as to form a mixture that includes cooked ground meat, liquified fat and broth. Hot water is added to the mixture in an amount sufficient to cause a significant percentage of the liquified fat to float above the surface of the cooked meat mixture. The liquified fat layer is then removed. Subsequently, broth and water are also removed such that a cooked, low fat, chunky ground meat product results. The system comprises a specifically configured cooking vessel into which is selectively placed a fat removal apparatus. The apparatus comprises a series of tubes which are arranged and configured to remove liquified fat from the meat after cooking.

Abstract: Prior to incorporating meat trimmings into a meat piece, the trimmings are inoculated with starter culture and fermented with the bacteria from the culture to obtain fermented meat trim particles and then frozen for incorporation into a meat piece.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for producing substantially flat processed meat products and, more specifically, flat casingless hot dogs. In the disclosed methods a material containing substantial amounts of the meat protein is formed prior to cooking into a flat form of a predetermined thickness by pressing the uncooked material. The flat form is then heated either simultaneously with the forming or thereafter to a temperature and for a time sufficient to congeal a sufficient amount of the protein to stabilize the shape of the flat form but insufficient to cause any substantial rendering of the material. The surface of the congealed flat form is then treated by smoke, drying or both to establish its texture and flavor, and the treated flat form is then finally cooked into the food product. The flat form is cut into discrete flat shaped patties either at the beginning of the method or subsequent to cooking or chilling.

Abstract: A process for the production of a formulated emulsion product which has a meat-like appearance. A protein source is emulsified and then alkali is added to the emulsion to raise the pH to above 8. The emulsion is rapidly treated in an emulsion mill to causes the protein in the heated emulsion to at least partially coagulate. The heated emulsion is then allowed to coagulate and form striations and is cut into chunks. The formulated emulsion product so produced contains about 45% to 85% by weight moisture and has a chewy texture and a high striated appearance.

Abstract: Disclosed are low-fat, ground meat food products formed from an admixture containing from about 40 to about 95 wt. % ground meat particles and from about 60 to about 5 wt. % therma-irreversible, hydrolyzed milk protein gel particles, the gel particles having a particle size of from about 1/32" to about 1"in their longest dimension and, preferably, a gel strength of between about 2500 gms and about 30,000 gms. Also disclosed are cooked and fermented, low-fat sausage products made from such admixtures, the average particle size of the gel particles in the sausage products being from about 0.5 to about 1.5 times the average particle size of the ground meat particles.

Abstract: Sources of raw meat having a high fat content, such as pork trimmings, are processed in a manner by which meat products prepared therefrom have a dramatically reduced fat content while retaining the desirable functionality of the unprocessed meat sources. The fat-containing raw meat trimmings are comminuted, phosphated, heated and centrifuged under specific processing conditions in order to provide unformulated raw low-fat or no-fat meat having a fat content of not greater than about 1.5 percent by weight while having excellent functionality. The unformulated reduced fat raw meat is formable into a variety of familiar meat products, including wieners, sausages and hamburger patties, thereby providing products having taste, appearance, texture and other qualities which are substantially indistinguishable from products prepared from higher fat unformulated raw meats but which have very low fat contents. The phosphate use accounts for a fat reduction of from about 10% to about 40%.

Abstract: A method for fat removal from cooked meat product that employs a draining apparatus in a cooking vessel or container. The draining apparatus includes a draining slot array, a draining box, a draining tube and a controller element. Fat and excess liquids, which are liberated during cooking, are drained out of the container through the draining slots, and into the draining box and draining tubes.

Abstract: A process for producing dry and semi-dry sausage products. Ground meat is admixed with an acidulant (e.g., a food grade acid) encapsulated by a material having a melting temperature of at least about 90.degree. F. The resulting admixture is formed into at least one shaped sausage product wherein the product has at least one cross-sectional dimension no greater than 1.0 inch. The shaped sausage product is then heated at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to (a) melt the encapsulating material and allow the acid to contact the meat and lower the pH of product to a value no greater than 5.3 and (b) dehydrate the product such that the ratio of the weight of moisture in the product to the weight of protein in the product is no greater than 3.7 to 1. The heating step is carried out for a period of time no greater than about one hour (typically for only a few minutes) and in a heating apparatus operating at a dry bulb temperature in the range of from about 90.degree. F. to about 500.degree. F.

Abstract: The method for linking a strand of an elongated coextruded meat emulsion product having an outer surface exposed to the atmosphere without the benefit of an enclosed casing comprises subjecting the strand to a constrictive force at spaced intervals along its length to create a plurality of link points of reduced diameter along the length of the strand. The link points are surrounded by an edible linking material capable of holding the link points in a condition of reduced diameter during a cooking cycle at a temperature in excess of 60.degree. C. After cooking, the link strand is then subjected to a water based rinse at a temperature of less than 60.degree. C. wherein the linked material will dissolve and will be removed from the strand. The preferred linking material is one from a group of hydroxypropylcellulose and methylhydroxyproplycellulose.

Abstract: A method and system for producing low fat ground meat is disclosed. The method relates to a method of cooking raw ground meat so as to form a mixture that includes cooked ground meat, liquified fat and broth. Hot water is added to the mixture in an amount sufficient to cause a significant percentage of the liquified fat to float above the surface of the cooked meat mixture. The liquified fat layer is then removed. Subsequently, broth and water are also removed such that a cooked, low fat, chunky ground meat product results. The system comprises a specifically configured cooking vessel into which is selectively placed a fat removal apparatus. The apparatus comprises a series of tubes which are arranged and configured to remove liquified fat from the meat after cooking.