Novel method of sanitizing food products and other target items

Abstract

Methods of cooling and sanitation of target items, particularly food products, food storage, and food transportation devices. A treating agent containing a sanitizing agent entrapped by or absorbed in or on a cooling agent is used when processing, transporting, displaying, or storing of target items. The treating agent can be used to chill and preserve target items, and while providing the added benefit of sanitizing the target item. This disclosure also discusses novel processes for using a treating agent to process, store, or package target items using a treating agent containing a cooling agent, such as solid carbon dioxide (“dry ice”), and a sanitizing agent, such as ozone.

1 . A method of processing a target item comprising the steps of: 
 a) exposing a target item to a treating agent, wherein: 
 i) said treating agent comprises a sanitizing agent and a cooling agent;  
 ii) said treating agent is in a solid form when initially exposed to said target item; and  
 iii) said sanitizing agent is present in said treating agent while said treating agent is in said solid form; and  
   b) contacting said target item with said sanitizing agent.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said treating agent converts to a gaseous form thereby allowing said sanitizing agent to contact said target item.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said treating agent does not contact said target item while in said solid form.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said treating agent comprises at least 90% by weight said cooling agent.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said cooling agent is substantially absent water.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said sanitizing agent is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) ozone;    b) chlorine dioxide;    c) hydrogen peroxide;    d) chlorine; and    e) mixtures thereof.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said cooling agent is selected from the group consisting of N 2 , CO 2 , and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said cooling agent is CO 2 .  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said sanitizing agent is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) ozone;    b) chlorine dioxide;    c) hydrogen peroxide;    d) chlorine; and    e) mixtures thereof.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said target item, during said exposure step, is in a treatment area selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) a tunnel;    b) a tumbler;    c) a blender;    d) a plate;    e) a chamber;    f) a vessel;    g) packages;    h) transportation containers; and    i) combinations thereof.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said cooling agent is recycled.  
   
   
       12 . A method of packaging a target item comprising the steps of: 
 a) placing a target item into a container;    b) adding a treating agent to said container, wherein: 
 i) said treating agent comprises a cooling agent and a sanitizing agent;  
 ii) said treating agent is in a solid form when introduced into said container; and  
 iii) said sanitizing agent if present in said treating agent while said treating agent is in said solid form; and  
   c) contacting said target item with said sanitizing agent.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said treating agent comprises at least 90% by weight said cooling agent.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said container is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) a target item package;    b) a food package;    c) a food storage container; and    d) a food transport container.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said cooling agent is CO 2 .  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said sanitizing agent is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) ozone;    b) chlorine dioxide;    c) hydrogen peroxide;    d) chlorine; and    e) mixtures thereof.    
   
   
       17 . A treating agent comprising a cooling agent and a sanitizing agent, wherein: 
 a) said cooling agent is in a solid form; and    b) said sanitizing agent is present in said cooling agent while said cooling agent is in said solid form.    
   
   
       18 . The treating agent of  claim 17 , wherein said sanitizing agent is released when said cooling agent converts to a liquid or gaseous form.  
   
   
       19 . The treating agent of  claim 18 , wherein said cooling agent converts to a gaseous form as heat is absorbed by said cooling agent.  
   
   
       20 . The treating agent of  claim 17 , wherein said sanitizing agent is present in amounts of about 1 to 100 ppm.  
   
   
       21 . The treating agent of  claim 17 , wherein said sanitizing agent is selected from the group consisting of: 
 a) ozone;    b) chlorine dioxide;    c) hydrogen peroxide;    d) chlorine; and    e) mixtures thereof.    
   
   
       22 . The treating agent of  claim 17 , wherein said cooling agent is selected from the group consisting of N 2 , CO 2 , and mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       23 . The treating agent of  claim 17 , wherein: 
 a) said cooling agent is CO 2 ; and    b) said sanitizing agent is selected from the group consisting of: 
 i) ozone;  
 ii) chlorine dioxide;  
 iii) hydrogen peroxide;  
 iv) chlorine; and  
 v) mixtures thereof.