Process for the reduction in microbial activity in protein product water processing tanks for increased tank water utility and conservation

A method for extending the use of water during the production of food products for human consumption, the method comprising:

• filling a processing tank with a source of water and an initial amount of an aqueous chemical intervention solution to provide a processing bath having a starting concentration within the processing tank;
• using the processing bath having the aqueous chemical intervention solution for a first production day in the production of food products for human consumption;
• shutting down production using the processing bath at the end of the first production day;
• retaining the processing bath having the remaining aqueous chemical intervention solution within the processing tank at the end of the first production day;
• recharging the processing bath at the beginning of a next production day to about the starting concentration of the aqueous chemical intervention solution;
• using the processing bath having the aqueous chemical intervention solution for at least a portion of the next production day in the production of food products for human consumption;
• shutting down production using the processing bath at the end of the next production day;
• and
• draining the processing bath from the processing tank;
• wherein the method extends the use of water a period of time between the filling step and the subsequent draining step, the period of time extended from more than the first production day up to seven consecutive production days before the draining step is conducted.

A method comprising:

• providing a processing tank system having a process bath comprising an aqueous antimicrobial intervention solution within a processing concentration range;
• using the aqueous antimicrobial intervention solution during a first production day in the production of products for human consumption;
• maintaining the aqueous antimicrobial intervention solution within the processing concentration range during the first production day;
• shutting down production using the process bath at the end of the first production day;
• retaining the remaining aqueous antimicrobial intervention solution within the processing tank system at the end of the first production day;
• recharging the process bath comprising the aqueous antimicrobial intervention solution retained within the processing tank system to the processing concentration range at the beginning of a next production day;
• using the aqueous antimicrobial intervention solution during the next production day in the production of products for human consumption;
• maintaining the aqueous antimicrobial intervention solution within the processing concentration range during the next production day;
• and
• draining the aqueous antimicrobial intervention solution from the processing tank system;
• wherein the steps of shutting down the processing tank system, retaining the remaining aqueous antimicrobial intervention solution within the processing tank system, and recharging the process bath, can each be repeated to provide two or more production days up to about seven production days before conducting the draining step.