# US 5,700,506 A · Method for prolonging the shelf life of fresh tomato pieces

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- Number: US 5,700,506 A
- Document ID: US5700506A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/549,344
- Filed: 1995-10-27
- Granted: 1997-12-23
- Earliest claimed: 1995-10-27
- Assignees: DNA Plant Technology Corporation
- Inventors: Gurmail Mudahar
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5700506A

## CPC

- A23B 7/06: Blanching (machines therefor A23N12/00)
- A23B 7/148: in a controlled atmosphere, e.g. partial vacuum, comprising only CO2, N2, O2 or H2O
- A23B 7/157: Inorganic compounds
- A23B: PRESERVATION OF FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES

## Abstract

A method by which the shelf life of fresh tomato pieces can be substantially increased is provided. According to the method, cored fresh tomatoes are contacted with a chlorine solution, cut into pieces, contacted with an aqueous solution of a calcium salt, and packaged in a container having a gas permeability of about 90 to about 160 cc of oxygen/100 square inch/day. The packaging is carried such that the residual oxygen level in the container after sealing is between about 2% and about 10%. In a preferred embodiment, the processing steps are carried out at an ambient temperature of between about 34.degree. F. and about 50.degree. F.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for preparing packaged fresh tomato pieces with increased shelf life comprising the steps:
i) contacting a cored fresh tomato with between about 80 and about 100 parts per million chlorine for between about 30 seconds and about 120 seconds;
ii) cutting the tomato into at least two pieces, whereupon tomato pieces are produced;
iii) contacting the tomato pieces with an aqueous solution of a calcium salt, wherein the concentration of the calcium salt is about 0.4% (w/v);
iv) packaging the tomato pieces in a plastic container that has a gas permeability of between about 120 to about 140 cc of oxygen/100 square inch/day when measured at one atmosphere pressure and 73.degree. F.; said plastic container comprising a 2.25 mil laminate film comprising three layers, said three layers comprising a first layer comprising oriental polypropylene, a second layer comprising low density polyethylene and a third layer comprising ethylene vinyl acetate; and,
v) sealing the plastic container in the presence of nitrogen gas wherein the residual oxygen level in the container after sealing is between about 4% and about 5%;
wherein steps (i) through (v) are carried out at an ambient temperature of between about 38.degree. F. and about 42.degree. F.