Abstract: A nutritionally complete, shelf stable pet food product and process of manufacture includes two different textures which has a meaty outer component and a inner bone-like component.

Abstract: Two or more different materials such as food material are co-extruded through adjacent orifices of an extruder. The flows of the two materials are cut in a direction transverse to the flow to form segments of flow. These segments are interspersed so as to join upstream and downstream of each segment of first material to a segment of a second material. Generally two rows of joined segmented flows are extruded side by side. Preferably between the tow rows is formed a boundary cell wall which usually is transformed to a harder material after extrusion. Cell walls of the harder material may surround, in two or three dimensions, cells of softer of foamed material. The apparatus and method to provide the food product having the cell like structure is particularly useful for producing confectionery products formed of chocolate, marzipan or dough materials.

Abstract: Fast food product such as hot dogs or hamburgers, buns or rolls which are adapted for heating together with a cooked meat product inserted therein are produced from a dough containing hard white wheat flour as at least part of the starting wheat flour, rice koji and vitamin C. The dough contains a effective amount of yeast and appropriate amounts of conventional additives such as sodium chloride, sugar, oil and fats, milk powder and the like. The dough is free from yeast food, potassium bromate and an emulsifier. The fast food products are packaged with a microwave heatable packaging material in a cooled or refrigerated or frozen state for storage or shipping.

Abstract: Methods for making an uncooked extruded dough product are provided, comprising extruding a dough composition of pre-gelatinized starch comprising at least about 75 percent of amylopectin, flour, leavening agent and water through a die under conditions so that the dough composition does not exceed 140° F. throughout the extrusion process. The resulting dough product when cooked has a baked specific volume of greater than about 3.0 cc/g. Products of this process, including filled products, are also provided.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a cream, in which a mixture containing about 10% to 20% of milk derivatives, about 8% to 30% of sugars, about 10% to 60% of fermented dairy product, about 0% to 25% of sour cream or of dairy cream containing about 25% to 45% of fatty substance, about 0% to 35% of texturizing agent, about 0% to 20% of aromatic product, and about 0% to 0.5% of salt is prepared by stirring, heat treating at a temperature of about 60° C. to 115° C. for about 7 seconds to 5 minutes; the temperature of the mixture is then adjusted to about 15° C. to 40° C. and to which molten fatty substance is added with stirring, so as to obtain a homogeneous cream. The cream thus obtained can be used in the manufacture of a food composition by depositing it on at least one layer, preferably between two layers, of food product, e.g., a biscuit.

Abstract: A ready-to-use food product, and method for preparing the same. The product includes: a batter; at least one leavening agent; and, at least one oil. The oil separates the batter and leavening agent while in storage in a container, and agitation of the container causes the batter, leavening agent and oil to at least partially mix.

Abstract: A creamy product with a lubricious mouthfeel is bake-stable and suitable as a filler or topping for baked goods. In a preferred form, it comprises: at least 30% by weight of a discontinuous fat portion; at least 20% of a continuous aqueous liquid component for providing sweetness and stability, comprising liquid sugar and liquid polyol, wherein the combined weight of liquid sugars and liquid polyols amounts to from 40 to 95% solids by weight of the aqueous liquid component, and the continuous aqueous liquid component preferably contains less than 20% water. An optional suspended solids portion can be employed. The creamy product, wherein the moisture content is from 2 to 10% by weight of the total composition, and the combined amount of the sugar, polyol and other soluble solids comprises from about 25 to 65% of the total product and is sufficient to provide an Aw of less than 0.5 for the total product, can be combined with a bakeable dough and baked.

Abstract: A protective coating or film is applied to at least a portion of the outermost surfaces of the outermost layers of a farinaceous product including a high solid fat index lipid or hard butter to form an outer high solid fat index layer. Reheating the product in a toasting environment from a refrigerated or frozen state causes the high solid fat index layer to transfer heat into the interior of the food product by continuously melting and resolidifying in a controlled way to limit toasting while absorbing into the surface of the product at a rate limited by the high solid fat index. The film serves as a protective barrier which limits toasting (i.e., browning) in the toasting environment by conducting heat into the interior of the product and to prevent moisture escape from the product during refrigerated or frozen storage and during the reheating process.

Abstract: A method of preparing a partially thermal treated dough intermediate which has reduced tendency to adhere to the processing apparatus is disclosed. The dough intermediate is thermal treated to create a temporary impermeable barrier on each of the layers of the intermediate.

Abstract: The frozen pie dough product according to the invention contains a cereal flour, water and a fat as the main components, has a multi-layer structure having voids, has a pie dough density of 1.01 g/cm3 or more and less than 1.085 g/cm3, and contains unreacted chemical leavening agents remaining therein. By baking the frozen pie dough product even in a short time in a high-power oven after freezing, it is possible to give a product which is in a stable and well-risen state with a layered texture, can be easily baked and has a crispy texture.

Abstract: The present invention is an encapsulated yeast composite comprising a core comprising yeast and a coating containing an emulsifiable lipid. The yeast includes Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The invention also relates to other encapsulated bioactive substance composites. The nature of the coating provides controlled release of the bioactive substance from the encapsulate. The encapsulated composites are useful in the production of food compositions, food products, and animal feed products.

Abstract: A shield for a food product in a baking environment is constructed for manual placement into close association with a pan for supporting the food product. The shield has a shape generally corresponding to the pan and includes a first region defining a plurality of first apertures extending through the shield, a sidewall bordering the first region, and a ledge bordering the sidewall and at least partially defining a plurality of second apertures extending through the shield. The plurality of second apertures extends across the border between the ledge and the sidewall such that a portion of each second aperture is defined in the ledge and another portion of each second aperture is defined in the sidewall. The ledge is constructed for support by a rim of the pan, and the plurality of second apertures is constructed to allow airflow away from the food product outwardly through the shield.

Abstract: Multi-component food products including diverse food components having differing water activities, and a moisture release system useful therefor, are provided. In these food products, an edible moisture supply layer is provided in contact with a first food component to which it releases moisture to slow down the rate at which the first food component goes stale and thereby increase its shelf life, while a separate edible moisture barrier is interposed between the moisture supply layer and a second food component having a higher water activity than that of the first food component effective to reduce moisture loss in the second food component from migration of moisture between the food components having different water activities.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing a cooked-extruded-expanded dietetically valuable snack product mainly comprising an amylaceous material and milk solids, and which has a fine, porous, crunchy, smooth and melt-in-the-mouth texture while being rich in protein and calcium

Abstract: A method for making a baked product having improved anti-staling properties is disclosed. The method includes the steps of forming a dough by combining flour, yeast, water and 1-5% by flour weight of polydextrose, and baking the dough. In one version of the invention, polydextrose is used in combination with an emulsifier such as glycerol monostearate, mono-diglycerides, sodium stearyl lactylate and datem. In another version of the invention, polydextrose is used in combination with an enzyme or in combination with an enzyme and an emulsifier. Suitable enzymes include bacterial and fungal amylases, pullulanase, amyloglucosidase, pentosanase, xylanase and maltogenic x-amylase. In yet another version of the invention, polydextrose is used in combination with fiber. A dough for producing a baked product having improved anti-staling properties is also disclosed. The dough includes flour, yeast, water, and 1-5% by flour weight of polydextrose. Optionally, the dough may include fiber, enzymes or emulsifiers.

Abstract: A dough and a filling for making a toaster pastry and a method for making same. A method of forming the dough for the toaster pastry, comprises forming a blend of ingredients comprising wheat flour of from about 25 to about 44% by weight of ingredients for the dough, wheat farina of from about 13 to about 35% by weight of ingredients for the dough, shortening of from about 1.5 to about 2.5% by weight of ingredients for the dough, and water of from about 25 to about 35% by weight of ingredients for the dough; adding puff pastry shortening in the form of cubes such that the amount of puff pastry shortening is in the range of from about 5 to about 15% by weight of the ingredients for the pastry; and blending the ingredients such that a heterogeneous mixture of the cubes of shortening in the remainder of the ingredients is obtained.

Abstract: A dual texture pet or animal food product having inner and outer components. The soft inner component contains a mixture of lipid and solid ingredients and has a water activity, aw, less than about 0.65 and a total moisture content less than about 15 wt %. The outer component is a cereal based shell containing at least one ingredient comprising a carbohydrate, fat, protein or combination thereof, the shell component having a total moisture content less than about 20 wt %. The shell component completely surrounds the soft inner component and is formed by the co-extrusion of the soft inner component within the shell component to form one dual component pet or animal food product.

Abstract: A food product, such as a baked good, having either high molecular weight starch hydrolysate or a crystalline hydrate producing sugar as a sweetening agent. Preferably, the starch hydrolysate has a dextrose equivalent of about 5 to 30 DE, and the crystalline hydrate former is raffinose or trehalose. The high molecular weight starch hydrolysate, the crystalline hydrate former, or combination thereof, increases the crispiness of the product at higher moisture levels. The food product can be a baked good such as an ice cream cone, cookie, wafer, or the like.

Abstract: A method for preparing a hand-held snack item is disclosed. The method includes the steps of (a) applying a first edible, heat-sensitive food material to an initial formed hand-held food item, thereby forming a preliminary coated hand-held food item; (b) applying a second edible food coating material to said preliminary coated hand-held food item, thereby forming a secondary coated hand-held food item, wherein said second edible food material is applied to said preliminary coated hand-held food item in such a manner as to substantially completely coat said first edible, heat-sensitive food material, and wherein said second edible food material is selected from a material which possesses sufficient physical characteristics to act as a protective medium for said first edible, heat-sensitive food material when said secondary coated hand-held food item is subjected to a temperature in the range of from about 35° C. to about 350° C.

Abstract: A food product in the form of a connected but random, symmetrical or linear array of food portions can be served as an entree, appetizer dessert or other food. The array is adapted for manual separation and consumption. The food can take any asymmetrical or symmetrical form. The product can have a central portion or location and two or more portions that extend from the central portion that are asymmetrical or symmetrical about the central point. The portions can be filled or topped with fillings or toppings and can be designed for convenient preparation, serving, separation into individual units, and consumption by hand. The food can be uncooked, par-fried, par-baked, baked, fried, etc.

Abstract: An improved meal-substitute food bar, herein called a meal-equivalent food bar because it is divided into segments equivalent to the sequence of courses in a conventional meal, including appetizer with functional appetite stimulants; main-course with major nutrition ingredients; and desert with functional appetite depressants. Further, the food bar is divided frangibly lengthwise into strips, each strip a selectable meal-equivalent with pre-determined calories. As a result, the meal-equivalent food bar provides a meal with improved physiological and psychological values for a consumer.

Abstract: Described are methods and compositions relating to dough compositions leavened during baking by chemical leavening systems, that include a refrigerator stable dough composition having relatively low carbon dioxide evolution, and an exterior portion that has the ability to brown.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sprayable browning composition which, when applied to a foodstuff, imparts a browning and optionally also a flavoring effect to the surface of the substrate to which it is applied. This is achieved by an oil in water emulsion comprising a browning agent and emulsifier.

Abstract: Reduced-fat, low-moisture lipid-based fillings. The lipid-based fillings can be used in a variety of food products. The low moisture, reduced fat, lipid-based filling comprises at least about 20% non-digestible lipid and other suitable optional ingredients. The filling has a water activity of less than about 0.6 and has at least about 20% less digestible fat than a comparable full-fat lipid-based filling. In one embodiment, the filling is a cheese filling. The low moisture, reduced fat, lipid-based cheese filling comprises: (a) from about 20% to about 60% non-digestible lipid; (b) from about 20% to about 75% dehydrated cheese powder; and (c) from about 0% to about 55% bulking agent. The fillings can be used with any suitable substrate to form a food product.

Abstract: A method of making a crustless sandwich from two slices of bread with outer crusts, the method comprising: placing a first slice of bread on a platen; forming a mass of a first food spread onto the central portion of the first slice of bread in a position spaced inwardly from a marginal area where the mass is formed with an inner lower layer with an outer rim extending upwardly from the lower layer to define a closed pocket or receptacle recess in the mass; placing a second food spread in the receptacle recess; closing the receptacle recess with a layer of the first food spread generally coextensive with the mass and supported on the outer rim of the mass to encapsulate the second food spread into a center composite food layer; placing a second slice of bread over the first slice to cover the center composite food layer; cutting the bread slices in unison in a cut pattern to remove the crusts of the slices; and, pressing the two bread slices together by force through the slices against a pressure surface on t

Abstract: A sealed crustless sandwich for providing a convenient sandwich without an outer crust which can be stored for long periods of time without a central filling from leaking outwardly. The inventive device includes a lower bread portion, an upper bread portion, an upper filling and a lower filling between the lower and upper bread portions, a center filling sealed between the upper and lower fillings, and a crimped edge along an outer perimeter of the bread portions for sealing the fillings therebetween. The upper and lower fillings are preferably comprised of peanut butter and the center filling is comprised of at least jelly. The center filling is prevented from radiating outwardly into and through the bread portions from the surrounding peanut butter.

Abstract: A ready to bake dough product with a shaped filling is disclosed. The filling is sized and configured so as to minimize or avoid exposure or spilling during processing, handling, or baking. The shape of the filling is configured such that it has a shorter distance vertically than horizontally. The shape of the filling may be substantially in the form of a rectangle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, half circle, diamond, trapezoid, oval, or similar shapes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fried texture-imparting glaze for a food intermediate useable in producing a finished food product. The glaze comprises an edible oil, and an anhydrous low-density maltodextrin. In use, glaze is used to at least partially coat the food intermediate. The present invention also relates to a method of imparting a fried surface texture to a food product comprising the steps coating at least a portion of a food intermediate with a glaze composed of an edible oil and an anhydrous low density maltodextrin, followed by the step of baking the food product. The invention also relates to a dough intermediate having a fried texture-imparting glaze coated on at least a portion of a surface of the food product.

Abstract: A process for preparing a storage stable premixed batter, such as a batter for coating various foods, cakes, pancakes, waffles, etc. The batter, which may include flour, eggs, sugar, milk solids, leavening agent, etc., is premixed and rapidly processed at an high temperature such as between about 280° F. to 310° F. The mixture is then cooled to a predetermined temperature, then packaged for either refrigerated or ambient storage.

Abstract: A grooved, pre-proofed, freezer-to-oven pizza crust dough. The dough includes a top surface for a pizza filling, and a bottom surface opposing the top surface and contacting a pizza pan. The bottom surface of the dough defines a plurality of grooves which provide the dough with a uniformly cooked surface upon baking the dough.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to microwaveable grilled cheese and grilled cheese and meat sandwiches that include an edible, lipid based moisture barrier. The edible moisture barrier includes an edible microparticulated high melting lipid and an edible low melting triglyceride blend.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing the ready-to-eat food bar. The ready-to-eat food bar produced by the present process includes agglomerated particles of one or more cereal bases is provided. The cereal bases include primarily amalyceous materials and optionally milk solids. The agglomerated particles are coated with a binder which includes sugars, milk solids, humectants or fat and optionally milk solids.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide an impregnated, layered, fat-based confectionery having a new texture characterized in that the taste and texture of a porous baked confectionery is integrated into the texture of a fat-based confectionery, and a method for producing such a confectionery. The impregnated, layered, fat-based confectionery comprises a porous baked confectionery, a fat-based confectionery for layering and a fat-based confectionery substance for impregnation, wherein the porous baked confectionery is impregnated with the fat-based confectionery substance for impregnation.

Abstract: A fluid, shelf-stable batter comprising wheat flour, sugar syrup shortening and an encapsulated leavening system, wherein the sugar syrup is essentially the sole moisturizing agent in the batter, the batter is characterized by being pourable and having a pH below about 6 and a water activity below about 0.8.

Abstract: A coated food product having a coating having jalapeno pepper pieces.

Abstract: A fully baked, deep dish pizza crust is provided having a water activity in the range of about 0.9 to about 0.95. The deep dish pizza crust is ideally suited for use in a refrigerated, ready-to-eat pizza kit. The deep dish pizza crust is of a convenient size and shape (generally square and about 4 by about 4 by about 0.75 in. deep) and is especially adapted as a single serving or snack food product. Also provided is a kit for preparing ready-to-eat deep dish pizza, the kit including one or more deep dish pizza crusts, pizza sauce, cheese, and one or more pizza toppings. The deep dish pizza crusts are designed so that they can be nested so as to reduce the volume requirements in the kit. Each of the components of the pizza kit, including the deep dish pizza crusts, is hermetically sealed from the other food items to substantially retard or prevent flavor, moisture, and microbial migration from one food item to another.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for using Prowashonupana barley to produce a food product comprised primarily of the Prowashonupana barley. The resultant food product is desired because, when consumed, it does not contribute to significantly elevated glycemic indices in a host, as indicated by the rapidly available glucose (RAG) assay.

Abstract: This patent pertains to reduced oil fried foods with acceptable taste, texture and appearance may be achieved by applying a hydrocolloid to the food, crosslinking such hydrocolloid, and coating the food with a starch product prior to frying.

Abstract: A method of preparing a pizza is disclosed comprising the steps of forming a pizza shell, applying a predetermined quantity of pizza or tomato sauce to an upper surface of the pizza shell to form a pizza base, cooking the pizza base for a first predetermined time period at a first predetermined temperature and subsequently cooling the pizza base having a still moist sauce thereon to at or near room temperature. Once cooled, a predetermined quantity of pizza toppings are placed on the moist sauce including at least one of additional pizza sauce, cheese, meats, vegetables and spices is applied to the pizza base with the pizza now being fully prepared and either placed in a refrigerator for future use or further heated for a second predetermined time period at a second predetermined temperature and subsequently served to the consumer. By preparing the pizza in accordance with this method, the cheese and pizza sauce are prevented from blending with one another prior to consumption of the pizza by the consumer.

Abstract: A process for making bread snacks with fillings of high water content is disclosed and the snacks have shelf lives at chilled or ambient temperatures of more than six weeks. Baked bread is used as raw material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a confectionery product comprising two outer wafer layers, optionally one or more inner wafer layers and cream fillings between the wafer layers, wherein the wafer layers are made from a material which includes cocoa powder. The cocoa wafer layers improve the crunchy texture of the confectionery product.

Abstract: Food products and methods of production, specifically RTE cereals of reduced density and enhanced perceived sweetness and methods of production are provided. The present invention relates to RTE cereals of reduced density and enhanced perceived sweetness without increasing the amount of total sugar of the cereal piece. By reducing the amount of sugar in the base cereal mix and adding a substantially equivalent amount as a coating, the cereal piece exhibits reduced density and enhanced perceived sweetness.

Abstract: Disclosed are dried laminated multi-layered cereal pieces, especially R-T-E breakfast products, and methods of preparation. In particular, the cereal pieces are characterized by a highly laminated structure comprising a multiplicity of generally horizontal thin parallel layers numbering at least four to 20 each of—100-500 micrometers (“&mgr;m”) thickness fabricated from cooked cereal dough with interstitial voids between the layers. The pieces can vary in shape and range from bite-sized to biscuit-sized. The interstitial void spaces between layers average 0.8 millimeters. This laminated structure creates cereal pieces having a distinctive texture and appearance.

Abstract: Creamy, reduced fat, low-moisture lipid-based fillings. The fillings comprise: (a) at least about 20% non-digestible lipid; and (b) from about 0.5% to about 35% crystallizing lipid. The fillings can additionally comprise other suitable optional ingredients. The filling has a water activity of less than about 0.6 and has at least about 20% less digestible fat than a comparable full-fat lipid-based filling. In one embodiment, a cheese filling comprises: (a) from about 20% to about 60% non-digestible lipid; (b) from about 0.5% to about 35% crystallizing lipid; (c) from about 20% to about 75% dehydrated cheese powder; and (d) from about 0% to about 55% bulking agent. The fillings can be used with any suitable substrate, but are especially suitable for use in random packed food products, especially sandwich biscuits. Sandwich biscuits made with the fillings adhere well to the biscuits so that the sandwich biscuits are not misaligned, smeared, or subject to splitting or decapping in production or after storage.

Abstract: A food product including an edible substrate at least partially derived from dough or batter is provided. Such a food product includes a first water-soluble coating. The first coating includes a starch, a starch derivative, or a mixture thereof. The first coating at least partially covers the surface of the edible substrate prior to the application of a second coating. The substrate and the second coating have different water activities. The first coating provides at least a partial moisture barrier between the substrate and the second coating.

Abstract: A method of producing filled bakery products, consisting of a wafer-like crisp envelope and a creamy filling, on an industrial scale, which method comprises the steps of spreading a wafer batter into a layer 0.5 to 5 mm thick and adjusting its moisture content to 15-30%, thereby to provide a dough sheet that is plastically deformable and can be processed mechanically, from which an envelope is formed for said filling that is being then baked in an oven at 150-250° C. for 15-30 seconds to provide a continuous tubular filled blank, in which the envelope has a moisture content of 3-8%, being typical of wafer, and which is then cut up transversely to provide cuttings that form said filled bakery products.

Abstract: A method for providing individually baked products comprising the steps of providing an uncooked dough sheet or block which has separable portions of predefined shape, separating one or more portions from the sheet or block and then baking the portions to obtain individually baked products. The shapes of the portions are defined by grooves, score lines, or combinations thereof and the portions are separated from the sheet by breaking then along the grooves, or score lines. The grooves or score lines may be intersecting or non-intersecting and substantially straight to define polygonal shaped portions, or at least partially arcuate to define the shape of an object having non-linear features, such as a cartoon character.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of puroindolines as additives in biscuit manufacture. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of puroindolines added to biscuit flour in order to increase the firmness of a biscuit.

Abstract: High energy food product which consists primarily of an admixture of barley, flax and teff, and a binder which holds the admixture together. The binder includes corn syrup, honey, canola oil, ground sunflower seeds, and it is added to the admixture after the barley, flax and teff have been mixed together. The process is carried out in a way which prevents light from causing deterioration of either the admixture or the final product.

Abstract: An edible matrix composition that has a chewable texture and that contains at least one encapsulated component is obtained by admixing at least one plasticizer, and a ground, free-flowing particulate mixture which comprises at least one fat, at least one starch, and at least one sugar which have been mixed and heated without substanitially gelatinizing the starch. A chewable texture is obtained rather than a hard, glassy matrix because the starch is substantially ungelatinized. However, a flavorful product is obtained without destroying a heat sensitive encapsulant because the starch is admixed with ingredients comprising fat or oil and sugar and the mixture is heated to develop flavor at high temperatures prior to admixing with the heat sensitive encapsulant. The encapsulated component may be at least one biologically active component, pharmaceutical component, nutraceutical component, or microorganism. In preferred embodiments, the free-flowing mixture is obtained by grinding cookies.