Method and Apparatus for Treatment of Food Products

Abstract

Method of treating a food product in a container to reduce or inhibit a microbial population on the food product, involving applying to the container an antimicrobial solution (applied in an amount effective to reduce or inhibit the microbial population), and placing the food product in the container. Also a system for treating food products, involving a bagging system, a spray system, and a rotating assembly for returning a spray wand to a resting position.

1 - 3 . (canceled) 
   
   
       4 . A method of treating a food product in a container to reduce or inhibit a microbial population on said food product, comprising applying to said container an antimicrobial solution wherein said antimicrobial solution is applied in an amount effective to reduce or inhibit said microbial population, and placing said food product in said container. 
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said food product is a ready-to-eat meat product or poultry. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said microbial population comprises  Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli , or mixtures of  Listeria monocytogenes  and  Escherichia coli.    
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said container is a shrink-wrap bag. 
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said antimicrobial solution is aqueous. 
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 4 , further comprising a vacuum treatment step after placing said food product in said container. 
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising a heat treatment step after said vacuum treatment step. 
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said antimicrobial solution is applied in an amount effective to cover the surface of said food product in said container. 
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said antimicrobial solution is sprayed into said container simultaneously as said food product is placed into said container. 
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the surface of said food product is not treated with antimicrobials prior to being placed into said container. 
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said food product is not injected with antimicrobials prior to being placed into said container. 
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said food product is injected with antimicrobials prior to being placed into said container. 
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said antimicrobial solution contains acidic calcium sulfate, lauric arginate, or mixtures of acidic calcium sulfate and lauric arginate. 
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said method utilizes a system comprising a bagging system, a spray system, and a rotating assembly for returning a spray wand to a resting position. 
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said container is a bag from said bagging system. 
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 18 , said method comprising placing said food product on the surface of said bagging system, pushing said food product against said strike plate, moving said spray wand and said food product into said bag, and applying said antimicrobial solution into said bag. 
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising removing said food product and said bag from said bagging system.