Method of providing extended shelf life fresh meat products
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of providing fresh meat products, comprising:
- irradiating the meat products in a first controlled atmosphere;
packaging the irradiated meat products downstream from the irradiation area in a second controlled atmosphere having a modified oxygen concentration; and
distributing the packaged irradiated meat products to a retail store;
wherein the first controlled atmosphere excludes oxygen.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of providing extended shelf life fresh meat products involves irradiating the meat products in a first controlled atmosphere and packaging the irradiated meat products in a second controlled atmosphere. The packaged irradiated meat products are then distributed to a retail store. In an exemplary embodiment, the first controlled atmosphere excludes oxygen and the second controlled atmosphere is high in oxygen. In one particular embodiment of the present invention, an antioxidant is added to the meat products either prior to or following the step of irradiating the meat products in the first controlled atmosphere, to extend the color-life of the meat products.
115 Citations
17 Claims
-
1. A method of providing fresh meat products, comprising:
-
irradiating the meat products in a first controlled atmosphere; packaging the irradiated meat products downstream from the irradiation area in a second controlled atmosphere having a modified oxygen concentration; and
distributing the packaged irradiated meat products to a retail store;
wherein the first controlled atmosphere excludes oxygen. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
Specification