Frozen food product with a coating

Abstract

The present invention relates to a frozen food product coated with a coating, the coating comprising a compound selected from acacia gum, arabic gum, gellan gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, konjac gum, tara gum, a wax, an alginate, cellulose, whey protein isolate, corn zein, gluten, soy, caseinate, chitosan, carrageenan, gelatin, pullulan, modified starch, or combinations thereof.

Description

[0001] FROZEN FOOD PRODUCT

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a frozen food product and a packaged frozen food product, and methods for their production.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] Frozen food is an established part of modern daily life, saving large amounts of time and energy for busy people compared to the preparation of fresh meals from scratch. However, the freezing process, and storage in a freezer for extended periods of time, can have a negative impact on the quality of the food. In particular, the freezing process can result in an accumulation of ice crystals in and on the surface of the food, causing a degradation in the quality of the food overtime. The effect of this is normally realised upon cooking the frozen food, and can result in a perceived reduced freshness for the consumer. For example, a frozen pizza in which ice crystals have built up over time, can result in toppings that are soggy and / or have a diminished colour once the pizza is cooked in an oven. This can lead to a consumer perceiving a reduced freshness for the frozen pizza compared to a freshly made pizza, and perhaps also an association of the frozen pizza product with unhealthy, processed foods.

[0006] Current methods for addressing this problem include adding food colourants, such as natural food colours or synthetic food colours, to the food prior to freezing. These food colourants are able to withstand the freezing, and subsequent thawing process, and so maintain their colours without fading, resulting in little or no change to the appearance / texture of the food once cooked. However, the addition of additives such as food colourants to foods isgenerally not desirable as again this may result in an association with unhealthy, processed foods.

[0007] Accordingly, there exists a needs to provide frozen food products that do not suffer from quality degradation upon storage in a freezer for extended periods of time, and which do not require the use of additives such as food colourants.

[0008] Summary of the invention

[0009] Viewed from a first aspect, the present invention relates to a frozen food product coated with a coating, the coating comprising a compound selected from acacia gum, arabic gum, gel la n gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, konjac gum, tara gum, a wax, an alginate, cellulose, whey protein isolate, corn zein, gluten, soy, caseinate, chitosan, carrageenan, gelatin, pullulan, modified starch, or combinations thereof.

[0010] Viewed from a further aspect, the present invention relates to a packaged frozen food product comprising a frozen food product as hereinbefore described enclosed by a package.

[0011] Viewed from a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for preparing a frozen food product coated with a coating, the method comprising the steps of:

[0012] (i) preparing a food product to give a prepared food product;

[0013] (ii) coating the prepared food product with a coating composition comprising a compound selected from acacia gum, arabic gum, gellan gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, konjac gum, tara gum, a wax, an alginate, cellulose, whey protein isolate, corn zein, gluten, soy, caseinate, chitosan, carrageenan, gelatin, pullulan, modified starch, or combinations thereof, to give a coated food product;

[0014] (iii) drying the coated food product to give a dried coated food product; and(iv) freezing the dried coated food product to give the frozen food product coated with a coating.

[0015] Viewed from a further aspect, the present invention relates to a frozen food product obtained by or obtainable by the method as hereinbefore described.

[0016] Viewed from a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for preparing a packaged frozen food product, the method comprising the steps of:

[0017] (i) preparing a frozen food product according to the method hereinbefore described; and

[0018] (ii) enclosing the frozen food product in a package.

[0019] Viewed from a further aspect, the present invention relates to a packaged frozen food product obtained by or obtainable by the method hereinbefore described.

[0020] Viewed from a further aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a coating comprising a compound selected from acacia gum, arabic gum, gellan gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, konjac gum, tara gum, a wax, an alginate, cellulose, whey protein isolate, corn zein, gluten, soy, caseinate, chitosan, carrageenan, gelatin, pullulan, modified starch, or combinations thereof, to coat a frozen food product.

[0021] Brief description of the drawings

[0022] Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the description of the presently preferred embodiments which are set out below with reference to the drawings in which:

[0023] Figure 1A shows an uncoated frozen pizza after 30 days storage in a freezer at about -18°C; andFigure IB shows a frozen pizza which has been coated with arabic gum according to the present invention after 30 days storage in a freezer at about -18°C.

[0024] Detailed description of the invention

[0025] As used herein, the words "comprises", "comprising", and similar words, are not to be interpreted in an exclusive or exhaustive sense. In other words, they are intended to mean "including but not limited to".

[0026] As used herein, the phrase "frozen food product" refers to a food product that has been frozen and which needs to be reheated or cooked in an oven prior to consumption.

[0027] As used herein, the term "recyclable" refers to the ability of a material to be subjected to recycling. According to the DIRECTIVE 2008 / 98 / EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL "recycling" means any recovery operation by which waste materials are reprocessed into products, materials or substances whether for the original or other purposes. It includes the reprocessing of organic material but does not include energy recovery and the reprocessing into materials that are to be used as fuels or for backfilling operations.

[0028] As used herein, the term "biodegradable" refers to the capability of a material to be converted into CO2under the action of micro-organisms. This property may be measured with a laboratory standard test method: the EN 14046 (also published as ISO 14855: biodegradability under controlled composting conditions). In order to show complete biodegradability, a biodegradation level of at least 90% must be reached in less than 6 months. The norm EN 13432 is a harmonized norm.Viewed from a first aspect, the present invention relates to a frozen food product coated with a coating, the coating comprising a compound selected from acacia gum, arabic gum, gel la n gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, konjac gum, tara gum, a wax, an alginate, cellulose, whey protein isolate, corn zein, gluten, soy, caseinate, chitosan, carrageenan, gelatin, pullulan, modified starch, or combinations thereof.

[0029] According to the invention, the coating has a thickness comprises between 0.2 and 0.5mm. According to a preferred embodiment, the coating has a thickness of 0.3mm.

[0030] The presence of a coating as described above is able to preserve the quality of the frozen food product during storage in a freezer for extended periods of time. The coating works to avoid the formation of ice crystals in and on the food, such that the quality of the food is not degraded. In particular, the coatings of the present invention protect the frozen food from colour degradation so that the food, once cooked, still appears fresh compared to a corresponding food that has not been frozen. Advantageously, the coatings of the present invention avoid the need for the addition of food colourants.

[0031] In preferred frozen food products of the present invention, the coating comprises a compound selected from acacia gum, arabic gum, gel Ian gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, konjac gum, tara gum, sodium alginate, caseinate, or combinations thereof. Preferably, the coating comprises a compound selected from acacia gum, arabic gum, gellan gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, konjac gum, tara gum, or combinations thereof. More preferably, the coating comprises arabic gum. Most preferably, the coating consists of arabic gum.

[0032] In preferred frozen food products of the present invention, the coating does not contain any added colourants. Such additives are not required because the coatings used to coat the frozen food products according to the presentinvention are able to prevent degradation, such as colour degradation, of the food product during freezing.

[0033] In preferred frozen food products of the present invention, the coating is present in an amount of 0.1 to 2 wt% based upon the total weight of the frozen food product, preferably 0.1 to 1.5 wt%, more preferably 0.1 to 1 wt%.

[0034] In preferred frozen food products of the present invention, the coating does not contain quercetin or a derivative thereof.

[0035] In preferred frozen food products of the present invention, the coating does not contain a compound with at least one aromatic ring having at least two hydroxyl groups borne by two adjacent carbon atoms to that aromatic ring, and ions of a transition metal.

[0036] In preferred frozen food products of the present invention, the coating does not contain grape seed extract.

[0037] In preferred frozen food products of the present invention, the coating does not contain caffeic acid or a derivative thereof.

[0038] In the frozen food products of the present invention, the frozen food product may be completely or partially coated with the coating. Preferably, the frozen food product is completely coated with the coating.

[0039] In preferred frozen food products of the present invention, the frozen food product is a frozen pizza, a frozen dough or bread product (such as a panini or Hot Pocket product), a frozen quiche, a frozen lasagne dish, a frozen pasta dish, a frozen rice dish, or a frozen gratin dish. Preferably, the frozen food product is a frozen pizza.

[0040] Oxygen barriers help to prevent that the frozen food product is exposed to oxygen, leading to oxidation, possibly altering taste and appearance. Thus, in preferred frozen food products of the present invention, the coating provides anOxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) of at least 25 cc / m2 / day / atm (at 23 °C and 50% relative humidity).

[0041] Viewed from a further aspect, the present invention relates to a packaged frozen food product comprising a frozen food product as hereinbefore described enclosed by a package.

[0042] In preferred packaged frozen food products of the present invention, the package is made from a monolayer material. This allows to avoid the use of multilayer materials, which are often challenging to recycle.

[0043] In preferred packaged frozen food products of the present invention, the package is made from a material that is recyclable and / or biodegradable.

[0044] Thus, in preferred packaged frozen food products of the present invention, the package is made from plastic, cardboard, or paper. Preferably, the package is made from cardboard or paper.

[0045] In preferred packaged frozen food products of the present invention, the package protects the frozen food product. For example, the package may ensure that the frozen food product is not touched by consumers other than the consumer finally purchasing the frozen food product as otherwise this might be perceived as being unpleasant. Additionally, the package may be used for branding / information display and / or logistical purposes.

[0046] Viewed from a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for preparing a frozen food product coated with a coating, the method comprising the steps of:

[0047] (i) preparing a food product to give a prepared food product;

[0048] (ii) coating the prepared food product with a coating composition comprising a compound selected from acacia gum, arabic gum, gellan gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, konjac gum, tara gum, a wax, an alginate, cellulose, whey proteinisolate, corn zein, gluten, soy, caseinate, chitosan, carrageenan, gelatin, pullulan, modified starch, or combinations thereof, to give a coated food product;

[0049] (iii) optionally drying the coated food product to give a dried coated food product; and

[0050] (iv) freezing the dried coated food product to give the frozen food product coated with a coating.

[0051] In preferred methods of the present invention, preparing the food product in step (i) involves assembly and / or partial cooking of the food product.

[0052] According to an example of the invention, the method may comprise an additional step between step (i) and step (ii) during which the food product prepared during step (i) is cooked or precooked.

[0053] In preferred methods of the present invention, the food product is a pizza, a dough or bread product (such as a panini or Hot Pocket product), a quiche, a lasagne dish, a pasta dish, a rice dish, or a gratin dish. Preferably, the food product is a pizza.

[0054] In preferred methods of the present invention, the coating composition used in step (ii) comprises a compound selected from acacia gum, arabic gum, gel la n gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, konjac gum, tara gum, sodium alginate, caseinate, or combinations thereof. Preferably, the coating composition used in step (ii) comprises a compound selected from acacia gum, arabic gum, gellan gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, konjac gum, tara gum, or combinations thereof. More preferably, the coating composition used in step (ii) comprises arabic gum.

[0055] In preferred methods of the present invention, the coating composition used in step (ii) does not contain any added colourants. Such additives are not required because the coatings used to coat the frozen food products according to the present invention are able to prevent degradation, such as colour degradation, of the food product during freezing.In preferred methods of the present invention, the coating composition used in step (ii) does not contain quercetin or a derivative thereof.

[0056] In preferred methods of the present invention, the coating composition used in step (ii) does not contain a compound with at least one aromatic ring having at least two hydroxyl groups borne by two adjacent carbon atoms to that aromatic ring, and ions of a transition metal.

[0057] In preferred methods of the present invention, the coating composition used in step (ii) does not contain grape seed extract.

[0058] In preferred methods of the present invention, the coating composition used in step (ii) does not contain caffeic acid or a derivative thereof.

[0059] In the methods of the present invention, the prepared food product may be completely or partially coated with the coating composition in step (ii). Preferably, the prepared food product is completely coated with the coating composition in step (ii).

[0060] In preferred methods of the present invention, the coating composition used in step (ii) is an aqueous coating composition. Preferably, said compound selected from acacia gum, arabic gum, gellan gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, konjac gum, tara gum, a wax, an alginate, cellulose, whey protein isolate, corn zein, gluten, soy, caseinate, chitosan, carrageenan, gelatin, pullulan, modified starch, or combinations thereof, is present in the aqueous coating composition in a concentration of 5 to 30 wt%, more preferably 10 to 15 wt%. Preparation of the coating composition may involve homogenisation so as to ensure optimal mixing and / or removal of air bubbles. This will ensure optimal barrier properties are provided by the resultant coating.

[0061] In preferred methods of the present invention, the coating composition is coated onto the prepared food product in step (ii) by a dipping technique or aspraying technique. Preferably, the coating composition is coated onto the prepared food product in step (ii) by a spraying technique.

[0062] In preferred methods of the present invention, drying in step (iii) involves drying under an infrared lamp, in an oven, with hot air, under vacuum, and / or using hydroscopic compounds.

[0063] In preferred methods of the present invention, drying in step (iii) is achieved in less than 60 seconds, preferably less than 30 seconds. Step (iii) preferably involves rapid drying so as to avoid the prepared food product from absorbing water.

[0064] In preferred methods of the present invention, the coating is present in an amount of 0.1 to 2 wt% based upon the total weight of the frozen food product, preferably 0.1 to 1.5 wt%, more preferably 0.1 to 1 wt%.

[0065] Oxygen barriers help to prevent that the frozen food product is exposed to oxygen, leading to oxidation, possibly altering taste and appearance. Thus, in preferred methods of the present invention, the coating provides an Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) of at least 25 cc / m2 / day / atm (at 23 °C and 50% relative humidity).

[0066] Viewed from a further aspect, the present invention relates to a frozen food product obtained by or obtainable by the method as hereinbefore described.

[0067] Viewed from a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for preparing a packaged frozen food product, the method comprising the steps of:

[0068] (i) preparing a frozen food product according to the method hereinbefore described; and

[0069] (ii) enclosing the frozen food product in a package.In preferred methods of the present invention, the package is made from a monolayer material. This allows to avoid the use of multilayer materials, which are often challenging to recycle.

[0070] In preferred methods of the present invention, the package is made from a material that is recyclable and / or biodegradable.

[0071] Thus, in preferred methods of the present invention, the package is made from plastic, cardboard, or paper. Preferably, the package is made from cardboard or paper.

[0072] In preferred methods of the present invention, the package protects the frozen food product. For example, the package may act as a moisture barrier for the frozen food product. Additionally or alternatively, the package may ensure that the frozen food product is not touched by consumers other than the consumer finally purchasing the frozen food product as otherwise this might be perceived as being unpleasant. Additionally, the package may be used for branding / information display and / or logistical purposes.

[0073] In preferred methods of the present invention, the enclosing in step (ii) involves wrapping or fold wrapping the package around the frozen food product.

[0074] Viewed from a further aspect, the present invention relates to a packaged frozen food product obtained by or obtainable by the method hereinbefore described.

[0075] Viewed from a further aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a coating comprising a compound selected from acacia gum, arabic gum, gellan gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, konjac gum, tara gum, a wax, an alginate, cellulose, whey protein isolate, corn zein, gluten, soy, caseinate, chitosan, carrageenan, gelatin, pullulan, modified starch, or combinations thereof, to coat a frozen food product.Examples

[0076] The following example exemplifies the invention without limiting the scope of the present invention.

[0077] A 10 wt% coating composition was prepared by mixing arabic gum with water to the required concentration. Arabic gum is commercially available (e.g., from Merck). The coating composition was mixed until a homogenised mixture was achieved, and was then allowed to sit for a period of time prior to use to ensure any air bubbles were eliminated.

[0078] Two uncooked pizzas were prepared by rolling out a portion of dough and applying toppings such as tomato sauce, meat, cheese and mushrooms. The pizzas were half-cooked in a conventional oven at 180°C for 3 minutes.

[0079] One pizza was then frozen and stored in the freezer at about -18°C.

[0080] The other pizza was sprayed all over with the arabic gum coating composition and dried under an infrared lamp for 60 seconds or in a hot air ventilated chamber for 3 minutes, so as to avoid the exposed dough from absorbing water. The coated pizza was then also frozen and stored in the freezer at about -18°C.

[0081] After 30 days, the two pizzas were removed from the freezer and visually evaluated. As shown in Figure 1A, the uncoated pizza was covered in ice crystals and the toppings had experienced severe colour degradation. On the other hand, and as shown in Figure IB, no colour changes were observed for the coated pizza and no ice crystals had formed. After a further 60 days storage in the freezer, the coated pizza looked identical. This experiment demonstrates that the coatings of the present invention are able to protect the frozen food product from degradation in a freezer over an extended period of time.

Claims

Claims1. A frozen food product coated with a coating, the coating comprising a compound selected from acacia gum, arabic gum, gellan gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, konjac gum, tara gum, a wax, an alginate, cellulose, whey protein isolate, corn zein, gluten, soy, caseinate, chitosan, carrageenan, gelatin, pullulan, modified starch, or combinations thereof.

2. A frozen food product as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coating comprises a compound selected from acacia gum, arabic gum, gellan gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, konjac gum, tara gum, sodium alginate, caseinate, or combinations thereof.

3. A frozen food product as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the coating comprises a compound selected from acacia gum, arabic gum, gellan gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, konjac gum, tara gum, or combinations thereof.

4. A frozen food product as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the coating comprises arabic gum, preferably consists of arabic gum.

5. A frozen food product as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the coating does not contain any added colourants.

6. A frozen food product as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the coating is present in an amount of 0.1 to 2 wt% based upon the total weight of the frozen food product, preferably 0.1 to 1.5 wt%, more preferably 0.1 to 1 wt%.

7. A frozen food product as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 6, wherein the frozen food product is a frozen pizza, a frozen dough or bread product, a frozen quiche, a frozen lasagne dish, a frozen pasta dish, a frozen rice dish, or a frozen gratin dish.

8. A frozen food product as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the coating provides an Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) of at least 25 cc / m2 / day / atm (at 2? C and 50% relative humidity).

9. A frozen food product as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the coating has a thickness comprises between 0.2 and 0.5mm.

10. A packaged frozen food product comprising a frozen food product as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 enclosed by a package.

11. A packaged frozen food product as claimed in claim 10, wherein the package is made from plastic, cardboard, or paper, preferably cardboard or paper.

12. A method for preparing a frozen food product coated with a coating according to any of claims 1 to 9, the method comprising the steps of:(i) preparing a food product to give a prepared food product;(ii) coating the prepared food product with a coating composition comprising a compound selected from acacia gum, arabic gum, gellan gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, konjac gum, tara gum, a wax, an alginate, cellulose, whey protein isolate, corn zein, gluten, soy, caseinate, chitosan, carrageenan, gelatin, pullulan, modified starch, or combinations thereof, to give a coated food product;(iii) optionally drying the coated food product to give a dried coated food product; and(iv) freezing the dried coated food product to give the frozen food product coated with a coating.

13. The method for preparing a frozen food product coated with a coating according to claim 12, the method comprising an additional step between step (i) and step (ii) during which the food product prepared during step (i) is cooked or precooked.

14. A frozen food product obtained by or obtainable by the method of claim 12 or 13.

15. A method for preparing a packaged frozen food product according to claim 10 or 11, the method comprising the steps of:(i) preparing a frozen food product according to the method of claim 11; and (ii) enclosing the frozen food product in a package.

16. A packaged frozen food product obtained by or obtainable by the method of claims 12 or 13.

17. Use of a coating comprising a compound selected from acacia gum, arabic gum, gellan gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, konjac gum, tara gum, a wax, an alginate, cellulose, whey protein isolate, corn zein, gluten, soy, caseinate, chitosan, carrageenan, gelatin, pullulan, modified starch, or combinations thereof, to coat a frozen food product.

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