MX2009001295A

MX2009001295A - Grain-based food product.

Info

Publication number: MX2009001295A
Application number: MX2009001295A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Andrew Sleyko; Andrea Mason; Linda Roman
Original assignee: Quaker Oats Co
Priority date: 2006-08-02
Filing date: 2006-08-02
Publication date: 2009-03-26
Also published as: WO2008016351A3; US20100021592A1; WO2008016351A2; CA2659842C; CA2659842A1

Abstract

A grain-based food product comprising a base component and a food inclusion.. The food inclusion can have various textures, colors or flavors which make the grain-based product or cereal more appealing to consumers. Both the base component and the food inclusion are marketed in a single product package. The food inclusion is contained in a containment device, separating it from the base product in the product package.

Description

GRAIN BASED FOOD PRODUCT FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to food products, and more particularly to products based on grain and packaging of such products. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For many years, grain-based food products have been a major material in the human diet. Popular grain-based food products include, for example, cereal, oatmeal or semolina. Oatmeal products, in particular, are seen as healthy foods, providing a rich source of nutrients and fiber. To make oatmeal more convenient to eat, instant oatmeal products have been made available in the market. The preparation of instant oatmeal requires only the addition of liquid to cook the oatmeal. The liquid may be hot before adding the instant oatmeal, or the liquid / oatmeal mixture may be heated after the addition of the liquid. With a growing interest in oatmeal and other grain-based products for their health benefits, it would be desirable to provide a grain-based food product that combines the attributes of convenience and health with added value, such as additional sensory taste, texture, nutritional value or other attributes that may be of interest to the consumer. This is particularly important in providing a consumer market. growing with highly diverse flavors, interests, preferences and diet considerations. From the above discussion, it is desirable to provide an improved grain-based food product that is both convenient and that provides interest or added value to the consumer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a food product in a package. The food product includes a main or base component and a food inclusion. The base component, in one embodiment, comprises a grain-based component. The inclusion of food is separated from the base component. In one embodiment, the inclusion of food is contained in a containment device, such as a package, bag or closed sachet. Both the feed inclusion, which is provided in a separate package, and the base component are provided in a single product package. In another embodiment, a method for packaging a food product is disclosed. The method comprises providing a feed component and the inclusion of feed. The base feed component, in one embodiment, comprises a grain-based component. The inclusion of Food is provided in a containment device. The containment device can be, for example, a package, sachet, bag or other closed article. The containment device separates the feed inclusion from the base component. The inclusion of food can be added to the base food component during or after preparation for consumption. The feed component and the closed package (s) are combined into a single product package. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a food product having a base component and an inclusion. The base component may comprise a grain-based component. The grain-based component comprises, for example, cereal, oats, rice, semolina, barley, granola, corn, potato, tapioca, extruded materials of starch, wheat, buckwheat, millet, rye or a combination thereof (e.g. , multi-grain). Other types of grains are also useful. The grain based product may comprise a hot cereal product or a cold cereal product. The hot cereal product includes a cereal-based component (i.e., a base) and an inclusion of food or additive. The ingredients, such as sweeteners, flavors, colorants, vitamins, minerals and preservatives can be added as desired, either as part of the formulation of the component based on cereal, or as a separate inclusion, where it is advantageous. In one embodiment, the grain-based component comprises a product based on instant hot cereal, such as instant oatmeal, instant semolina, instant barley or a combination thereof. Other types of instant hot cereal or instant food products are also useful. Instant cereal is prepared by the addition of liquid, such as water. The preparation of instant cereal by adding other types of liquid, such as milk, can also be useful. Typically, the liquid is added at a temperature closed to its boiling point. Other temperatures may also be useful, depending on the types of cereal or food product. Adding the liquid and then heating the cereal in a microwave oven is also useful. None of the instant types of cereals or food products are also useful. Such types of cereals or food products are prepared by adding liquid and cooking the mixture. The inclusion of feed is provided with the feed component (ie, the cereal-based component). The inclusion of food is physically separated from the base feed component. This is advantageous for many reasons, which include providing a consumer market with highly diverse flavors and preferences, which prevent migration of moisture or other components of the inclusion to the base, preventing the migration of moisture and other components of the base to inclusion and separating the nuts or other potentially allergenic inclusions from the base. In one embodiment, the inclusion of food comprises a component that some consumers may be allergic or non-preferred in their diet due to, for example, health considerations or personal preferences; such modality is particularly useful in a family package product, where a complete package (eg, a carton) contains multiple containment devices (eg, sachets) of different inclusions, so that different members of the family can choose to add one preferred inclusion, and / or be remote from the desired or avoided inclusions. Non-limiting examples of such components include nuts, products based on sugar or milk, and products containing gluten. In another embodiment, the inclusion of feed is rich in moisture or sensitive to moisture, and separating it from the feed component will prevent migration of moisture to the feed component or the inclusion of feed. In one embodiment of the invention, the inclusion of food has a different texture, appearance, flavor, additional nutritional value or other additional attributes of interest and value to the grain-based food component. For example, when it is added to a product of type Hot cereal prepared, the inclusion of food can impart a different mouthfeel or taste. The inclusion of food can provide a contrast of textures and flavors or change the appearance of the prepared cereal, making the cereal product more palatable and variable. In one embodiment, the inclusion of feed is sensitive to heat, and preferably is separated from the feed component during preparation. For example, the inclusion of food (eg, a vitamin mixture) can be added to the grain-based component (eg, oatmeal) after preparation. While the preferred embodiments comprise a hot, instant cereal type product where the inclusion of feed is added after the instant cereal is prepared, the inclusion may be added before or during the preparation of the hot instant cereal or food product in the instant cereal. alternative embodiments of the invention. For example, the inclusion of food may be instant milk powder (or some other powder for instant drink) that is added to the cereal and liquid mixture at the beginning of the preparation of the cereal, or during the preparation of the cereal. This is just a non-limiting example of a food inclusion that can be added previously in the cereal-based component preparation process.

In one embodiment, the inclusion of food retains its texture after it is added to the prepared cereal. The texture can be retained for a sufficient time for the prepared cereal to be consumed. Alternatively, the texture of the inclusion of food may change after it is added to the prepared cereal. In other embodiments, the inclusion mixtures in the prepared cereal have not been notified. In one embodiment, the inclusion of food comprises a crunchy texture. Preferably, the inclusion of food has a low moisture content and low water activity. The inclusion of food may be, for example, products based on roasted or extruded cereal such as puffed rice, wheat germ, granola, whole or cut walnuts in chips, seeds or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the inclusion of food is formed into agglomerates or croquettes. An inclusion of food that has other types of textures, for example, crunchy, chewy, gummy or pasty, is also useful. In one embodiment, the inclusion includes food pieces of confectionery such as pieces of hard candy, pieces of gummy candy, pieces of chocolate, not packaged, chocolate scarlet, dusting and edible brightness, pieces of marshmallow, pieces of yogurt, pieces of dried fruit, pieces of intermediate moisture fruit, pieces of fruit infused with sugar, gels or fruit pastes, fat-based pastes such as chocolate or peanut butter preparations, sauces, cheese dipping or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the food inclusion is coated with a coating layer, such as chocolate, peanut butter or a composite coating. The coating layer, for example, melts or dissolves when the inclusion of food is added to the prepared cereal, exposing the inclusion of underlying food and leaving a swirl or color stripe in the cereal, increasing its visual appeal. Additional ingredients, such as sweeteners, flavors, colorants, vitamins, minerals and preservatives can be added to the inclusion of food as desired, or even as the inclusion of food themselves. Such ingredients can also be added to the grain based component formulation, depending on the design of the product. Where vitamins are included in the inclusion of food which is added to the grain-based component only after its preparation, it will be subjected to less total heat than if it were included in the grain-based component. One advantage of such an embodiment is that the heat-mediated destruction of heat-labile vitamins can be avoided. The inclusion of food can be provided in a variety of sizes. For example, the inclusion of food can vary from powders to several centimeters of particles in average diameter. Other dimensions are also useful, depending on the form of the food inclusion, and the desired effect on texture, taste, appearance, nutritional value or other desired attribute of the prepared cereal. The base component and the inclusion of food, in one embodiment, are provided in a product package (for example, an outer carton). The product package then includes separate packages or containment devices to contain the base component, such as a cereal-based component or a grain-based component, and the inclusion of food. While a sachet, bag or package is preferred, other physical containment devices may be used. For example, the inclusion component may be contained within a plastic spoon, cardboard or other device used to separate the inclusion. Such containment devices can be chosen to be used together with the food product (for example, a spoon can be used to consume the prepared cereal and to mix in the inclusion), but it can also be chosen to make the product attractive to consumers. consumers in several ways. Also, containment devices, such as a spoon, may require additional packaging to keep the device and inclusions together. In another embodiment, the containment device can be a single carton or package with separate containment devices, multiple of the inclusion of feed and the base component (eg, a family pack product). Several arrangements can be used for packaging. In one embodiment, the cereal-based or grain-based (or base) component, and the inclusion of food may be packaged separately in single packages or sachets of portion size. For example, each could contain a portion of the cereal-based component and a portion of the food inclusion. To make the product ready to eat, a cereal-based component package is opened and prepared, and then a food inclusion package can be opened and its contents added to the prepared cereal. The cereal base package and the inclusion package can be held together by a seal, so that they are attached to each one. Alternatively, the cereal package and the inclusion package may be contained within an outer package, such as a carton. In a further embodiment, a large containment device maintains both the cereal base component, and a smaller containment device (e.g., package) which maintain inclusion. An individual serving size for both the component based on grain not prepared as the inclusion of food is typically equal to approximately 40-60 grams. In one embodiment, an individual portion size is approximately 50 grams. Other portion sizes are also useful. In one embodiment, a portion size comprises about 60-80 weight percent (wt%) of the component based on unprepared grain and about 20-40% by weight of feed inclusion. Other percentages of the cereal-based component and the inclusion of food may also be useful. 'Alternatively, the packages may contain multiple portions. For example, the product package contains a package each of the base component and the inclusion of food, with each package containing multiple portions. This would provide the consumer with the flexibility to adapt, as desired, the amount of inclusion of added food. Other packaging arrangements may also be useful. As an example, the product package may include a package of the base component containing multiple portions and multiple packages of the individual portion size of food inclusion. In such a case, the multiple types of food inclusions can be included in the product package, as desired. Alternatively, the product package may include multiple packages of the individual portion size of both the grain-based component as the inclusion of food. In yet another embodiment, the product package may be a family variety package comprising multiple types of grain-based components in individual portion size packages and multiple types of food inclusions to allow flexibility in the adaptation of the food product. for consume. In family package modalities, many different grain-based options can be provided in separate packages (for example, instant oatmeal in one package, cold cereal in another package, instant semolina in another package). A variety of inclusions can also be provided. The material used for the packages must be adequate to keep their contents fresh for the shelf life of the product. Freshness, here, is related to the retention of favorable sensory attributes, such as texture, taste and appearance. The freshness also reflects the maintenance of a non-deteriorated state of the cereal-based or grain-based component and the inclusion of food while it is stored in the package. Typically, packaging must maintain the freshness of the cereal-based component and inclusion by approximately closed for one year to approximately 1 1/2 years. While the preferred modalities include, instant cereal products, hot other grain-based products are also encompassed by this invention. For example, a granola or sport type bar can be provided together with a separate inclusion package. In such an embodiment, the inclusion may be, for example, a gel, dispersion, paste or dipping that adds value to the granola bar or sports bar. In addition, in such embodiment, the package containing the granola bar or sports bar and the package containing the inclusion may be contained within an exterior package, or alternatively, it may be sealed or maintained together without having an exterior package. The techniques available to seal and maintain the granola or sports bar package along with the inclusion package are within the skill of an expert in packaging techniques. Any embodiment of this invention can be made with this alternative method of sealing or holding the grain-based package or cereal together with the inclusion package without using an outer package. In one embodiment, the package material comprises polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) or Sarán resins. A material that has multiple layers, which includes PVDC or Sarán resins and other materials can also be used. Such materials, for example, are manufactured by Graphic Packaging International, Inc. (GPI), Exxon Mobil Corporation (Exxon), Pliant Corporation (Pliant), Bemis Company, Inc. (Bemis), or American Printpak (Printpak). Table 1 includes a list of various types of materials that can be used to form the packages. The material used for the packaging of the cereal-based component comprises, for example, Kraft Natural 25 # / PVDC 6 # (Saran) / polyethylene 9tt (PE) of GPI. Table 1 provides examples of the materials used for packaging the inclusion of feed. TABLE 1 MANUFACTURER PRODUCT COMPOSITION Exxon 210 ASB-X biaxially oriented polypropylene (OPP) mono-reticulated with acrylate-coated outer layer and PVDC-coated sealant layer Plian Unipeel 3 mil, high density polyethylene 354 (HDPE) / HDPE / ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) Unilon 3 mil, 9420 HDPE / tape / HDPE / Nylon / tape / HDPE / combination of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) Unipeel 2.2 mil, HDPE / HDPE + 2, 6-di-t-butyl-methyl-phenol 364 (BHT) / EVA X5: 045A 2.2 mil, polypropylene (PP) / PP / PP maleated (mPP) casting film Bemis - Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) 48ga / adh / 2.5 thousand HDPE coex - PET 48 ga / 3.0 thousand HDPE coex - PET 48 ga / 1.5 thousand HDPE coex GPI IQ Paper Kraft Natural 25 # / PVDC 6 // (Saran) / PE 9H -RAR Kraft Natural 27.5 # / PVDC 12 // ( Saran) / PE 12 # raft Printpak - PET 75 ga / dye / adh / 3.5 thousand HDPE coex with metallocene can use a combination of these materials, and these materials in different thicknesses. Other types of materials, such as thin sheets of metal for example, which can maintain the integrity of the cereal or the inclusion of food are also useful. While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to various embodiments, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that modifications and changes can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The scope of the invention should therefore be determined not with reference to the foregoing description but with reference to the appended claims together with their full scope of equivalents.

Claims

RE I VIND I CAC I ONE S 1. A food product in a package, characterized in that it comprises: a component based on grain; and an inclusion of food contained in a containment device to separate the inclusion of feed from the grain-based component. 2. The food product according to claim 1, characterized in that the grain-based component comprises cereal, oats, rice, semolina, barley, granola, corn, potato, tapioca, extruded materials of starch, wheat, buckwheat, millet , rye or a combination thereof. 3. The food product according to claim 1, characterized in that the grain-based component comprises a hot cereal product or a cold cereal product. . The food product according to claim 3, characterized in that the grain-based component comprises a cereal-based component of the instant type that can be prepared for eating by the addition of liquid. 5. The food product according to claim 1, characterized in that the grain-based component comprises a granola bar or bar of type sporty . 6. The food product according to claim 1, characterized in that the inclusion of food when it is added to the grain-based component after it is prepared changes the taste, texture, appearance, nutritional value or a combination thereof, of the component based on prepared grain. 7. The food product according to claim 6, characterized in that the grain-based component is contained in a base package. 8. The food product according to claim 6, characterized in that the containment device comprises a material that maintains the inclusion of fresh food during a pre-determined shelf life. 9. The food product according to claim 6, characterized in that the containment device comprises a sachet, bag or package. The food product according to claim 6, characterized in that the containment device comprises a spoon, a cardboard or a package with multiple partitions. The food product according to claim 6, characterized in that the package comprises a plurality of containment devices and a plurality of base packages containing the grain-based component. 12. The food product according to claim 6, characterized in that the inclusion of food changes after it is added to the component based on prepared grain. 13. The food product according to claim 1, characterized in that the grain-based component is contained in a base package. The food product according to claim 1, characterized in that the containment device comprises a material that maintains the inclusion of fresh food during a pre-determined shelf life. 15. The food product according to claim 1, characterized in that the package comprises a plurality of containment devices. 16. The food product according to claim 15, characterized in that the package comprises multiple types of food inclusions. 17. The food product according to claim 1, characterized in that the package comprises a plurality of containment devices and a plurality of base packages containing the grain-based component. 18. The food product according to claim 17, characterized in that the package comprises multiple types of food inclusions. 19. The food product in accordance with the claim 1, characterized in that the package comprises a plurality of base packages containing multiple types of grain-based components. 20. The food product according to claim 1, characterized in that the containment device comprises a sachet, bag or package. 21. The food product according to claim 1, characterized in that the containment device comprises a spoon, a cardboard or a package with multiple partitions. 22. The food product according to claim 1, characterized in that the inclusion of food is sensitive to moisture or rich in moisture. 23. The food product according to claim 1, characterized in that the inclusion of food has a different texture, appearance, flavor, than the grain-based component. 24. The food product according to claim 1, characterized in that the inclusion of food adds a nutritional value to the grain-based component. 25. The food product according to claim 1, characterized in that the inclusion of food is sensitive to heat. 26. A method for packaging products of food, characterized in that it comprises: providing a grain-based component; providing an inclusion of food in a containment device, wherein the inclusion of feed is added to the grain-based component before, during or after the preparation of the grain-based component; and combine the grain-based component and the containment device into a single product package. 27. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that the grain-based component comprises cereal, oats, rice, semolina, barley, granola, corn, potato, tapioca, extruded materials of starch, wheat, buckwheat, millet, rye - or a combination thereof. 28. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that the grain-based component comprises a cereal-based component of the instant type that can be prepared for eating by the addition of liquid. 29. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that it comprises storing the grain-based component in a base package. 30. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that it comprises providing a plurality of containment devices in the package of product The method according to claim 26, characterized in that it comprises: providing a plurality of base packages containing the grain-based component; and providing a plurality of containment devices in the product package.