Low sodium salt composition

Abstract

Salt particles adhered to a bulk carrier of the present invention are improved over prior alternative salts by having smaller salt particles adhered to a bulk carrier are achieved through modifications of variables for production of salt adhered to carrier particles, including starting solid composition, salt-carrier slurry composition, inlet and outlet drying temperature, slurry temperature, and moisture content control. The resulting salt-carrier product of salt adhered to carrier particles can be produced with much smaller salt particles of about 100 nanometers to less than 2 microns adhered to a carrier, which in turn improves electrostatic forces that help the salt-carrier product better adhere to and coat a food product than salts not adhered to a carrier particle.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates to food ingredients. In particular, this invention relates to food additives and ingredients that provide a low-sodium alternative to salt, e.g., sodium chloride, or “table salt.” More specifically, this invention provides for salt particles adhered to a bulk carrier that provides a desired salt flavor using a reduced amount of sodium chloride as compared to conventional table salt. The salt particles adhered to a bulk carrier of the present invention are improved over prior alternative salts by having smaller salt particles adhered to a bulk carrier, which in turn, results in increased electrostatic forces that enable the alternative salt particles to adhere better to food. This disclosure also relates to improved methods for making the improved low-sodium salt alternatives having salt particles adhered to bulk carriers.BACKGROUND[0002]Table salt (sodium chloride) provides a taste that humans and other animals generally enjoy. Too ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]In a first aspect, an improved method of making a low-sodium, salt-carrier product having less sodium per unit volume than an equivalent unit volume of sodium chloride, is provided comprising an aqueous salt-carrier slurry comprising an aqueous solvent and a selected percent by weight of a solids mixture, wherein the solids mixture comprises salt and a carrier medium, and wherein the carrier medium is present in an amount between about

Problems solved by technology

Too much sodium, however, is known to cause certain adverse health effects such as high blood pressure and heart disease.

Processed and “fast food” items often contain high levels of salt to provide a desirable taste to the consumer; however, the short term benefit of so-called convenience foods can come with long-term, increased risk of heart attack or stroke.

While the human body may require a salt for electrolyte balance and other physiological processes, in many cases people ingest sodium at levels that can be deleterious to their health.

Too much salt in the diet can give rise to adverse health consequences, e.g., high blood pressure which is a risk factor for stroke.

As a result, according to the Centers for Disease Control, about 90% of Americans consume too much sodium.

However, as noted in U.S. Pat. No. 9,491,961, salt is hygroscopic and the finely milled salt quickl

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