Hormel Foods Corporation

Cargill Inc.

Geo. A. Hormel & Company

David C Ruzek

Scott J Eilert

Curtis J Cundith

Bruce C Paterson

Barney Wilborn

Forrest D Dryden

Ann W Brackenridge

Nancy Rathje

Packaged meat products, methods of packaging meat, and systems for packaging meat. With respect to packaged meat products, one particular embodiment of a packaged meat product comprises a container having a low gas permeability and an enclosed interior volume. The packaged meat product further includes a meat product enclosed within the interior volume of the container and a modified atmosphere comprising not greater than about 10% carbon monoxide within the interior volume of the container. The meat product has a first volume less than the interior volume, and the modified atmosphere has a second volume such that a volume ratio of the second volume to the first volume is not greater than approximately 1:1.

Packaging of meat products with modified atmospheres and/or enhancers

A process for packaging fresh meat and the fresh meat package having enhanced visual appeal and shelf life stability, the process including the steps of introducing into the meat a treatment solution comprising a lactate buffer salt and a diacetate microbial growth inhibitor, and packaging the meat in a display unit. The display unit can comprise a thermoplastic tray covered by a transparent film, and one or more display units can be packaged in a film wrapped container. The display unit can also comprise a dividable portion of meat enclosed in a barrier bag. The atmosphere within the container can be maintained as a high oxygen atmosphere.

Chemical treatment and packaging process to improve the appearance and

A process for packaging fresh pork wherein the fresh pork package has enhanced visual appeal and shelf life stability, the process including the steps of introducing into the pork a treatment solution comprising a lactate buffer salt and a diacetate microbial growth inhibitor, and packaging the pork in a packaged unit. The packaged unit can comprise a display unit comprising a thermoplastic tray covered by a transparent film, and one or more display units can be packaged in a film wrapped container. The atmosphere within the container can maintained as a high oxygen atmosphere.

Chemical treatment and packaging system to improve the appearance and

A process for packaging fresh pork wherein the fresh pork package has enhanced visual appeal and shelf life stability, the process including the steps of introducing into the pork a treatment solution comprising a lactate buffer salt, a phosphate sequestrant and a diacetate microbial growth inhibitor, and packaging the pork in a display unit. The display unit can comprise a thermoplastic tray covered by a transparent film, and the display unit can be packaged in a film wrapped container. The atmosphere within the container can be maintained as a high oxygen atmosphere.

A process for packaging fresh pork and the fresh pork package having enhanced visual appeal and shelf life stability, the process including the steps of introducing into the pork a treatment solution comprising a lactate buffer salt, a phosphate sequestrant and a diacetate flavor enhancement agent, and packaging the pork in a display unit. The display unit can comprise a thermoplastic tray covered by a transparent film and further packaging one or more display units in a film wrapped container. The atmosphere within the container can be maintained as a high oxygen atmosphere.

The process for shaping and slicing primal meat cuts and then packaging the slices to increase the shelf-life thereof includes crust freezing the primal cuts to a depth of approximately 3/8 to 1/2 inch. The crust frozen primal cuts are then tempered for a period of time until the internal temperature reaches approximately 26.degree.-28.degree. F. and the tempered cuts are shaped in a molding press. The shaped primal cuts are then sliced, placed in a tray, and a gas pervious film is applied skin-tight to the slices and the upper surface of the tray. The packages are then frozen before shipment to retain outlets.

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Austin, MN, United States of America

David C Ruzek