Coated dried fruit and methods
AssigneeGeneral Mills, Inc.
InventorsDean W. Creighton, Bryan Worwa
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Dried fruit has a coating of microcrystalline cellulose in an amount effective to prevent agglomeration of the dried fruit. Methods of preparing and using the coated dried fruit are also described. The dried fruit pieces of the present invention are less sticky and are readily separated from one another using ordinary gravity feed handling conditions.
Claims19
Dried fruit having a coating of microcrystalline cellulose in an amount from approximately 1 to 10 grams per kilogram of fruit without agglomeration of the dried fruit.
A method of preparing dried fruit comprising applying a coating of microcrystalline cellulose in an amount from approximately 1 to 10 grams per kilogram of fruite without agglomeration of the dried fruit.
A method of using a coated dried fruit comprising:
- placing an order for the coated dried fruit with a dried fruit supplier, the coated dried fruit comprising a dried fruit having a coating of microcrystalline cellulose in an amount from approximately 1 to 10 grams per kilogram of fruit without agglomeration of the dried fruit;
- receiving shipment of the coated dried fruit;
- and
- conducting further processing operations to package the coated dried fruit, either alone or in combination with other products or in combination with additional food components to provide a combination food product.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.