| abstract |
] An acidic composition of one or more organic acids blended with an acidulant. The acidulant may be a low pH solution of sparingly-soluble Group IIAcomplexes ('AGIIS'), a highly acidic metalated organic acid ('HAMO'), a highly acidic metalated mixture of inorganic acids ('HAMMIA'), one or more strong inorganic acids, or an acidic salt. The acidic composition is an effective bacteriostatic preservative against pathogenic microorganisms which may be present in food products. Contacting ready-toeat food products such as frankfurters, as well as raw animal carcasses, with the acidic composition causes a reduction in the number of detectable microbes for an extended period of time. |