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US 5,700,504 AGranted
Method for maintaining interior quality of irradiated shell eggs
AssigneeMichael Foods, Inc.
InventorKirk K. Hale, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for reducing irradiation-induced changes in shell eggs and shell-less intact packaged eggs undergoing irradiation sufficient to cause a three-log reduction in Salmonella sp. The method utilizes pre-radiation heat treatment.
Claims5
A method of treating a shell egg irradiated with ionizing radiation at a dose at least sufficient to cause a three-log reduction in Salmonella sp., comprising heating said shell egg prior to said irradiation to reduce irradiation-induced thinning of said shell egg's albumen that would occur in the absence of said heating.
A method of treating a shell egg comprising:
- (a) heating said shell egg to a temperature of from about 130.degree. F. to about 145.degree. F.;
- then
- (b) holding said shell egg at said temperature for a time of from about 10 minutes to about 45 minutes;
- and then
- (c) irradiating said shell egg with ionizing radiation at a dose at least sufficient to cause a three log reduction in Salmonella sp.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.