Food product slicing apparatus and method

A food product slicing apparatus comprising:

• a housing enclosing a slicing device, wherein the slicing device comprises a rotatable slicing blade, and wherein the housing comprises a sidewall;
• and
• a food product introducing structure associated with the sidewall, providing a means through which the food product is advanced into the slicing housing;
• and
• means for improving or sustaining cleanliness inside the slicer housing selected from the group consisting of:
• a) a gas source operable to feed gas inside the housing to provide a positive pressure environment within the housing,
• b) a gas source operable to feed HEPA-filtered gas inside the housing;
• c) the housing comprises interior wall surfaces having a surface finish (RMS) not exceeding 32 microinches,
• d) an antimicrobial agent delivery assembly operable to deliver an antimicrobial agent to interior wall surfaces of the front sidewall and rear sidewall,
• e) a sealing structure comprising a sleeve mounted to the sidewall, providing a passageway in the sidewall through which the food product passes and receives a treatment along its outer surface, and
• f) any combination of a), b), c), d), e), and f).

A method for slicing a food product, comprising:

• a) providing a housing enclosing a slicing blade, and the housing having a sidewall in which a sleeve is mounted for passing a food product wherein the sleeve is operable to treat the outer surface of the food product;
• b) placing a food product having an outer surface on an advancement mechanism;
• c) advancing the food product in a feed direction into the sleeve using the advancement mechanism;
• d) treating the outer surface of the food product as the food product passes through the sleeve;
• e) advancing the food product into a slicing path of the slicing blade.