abstract |
A food bar is disclosed comprising marshmallow, low in reducing sugars and being fortified, and with the marshmallow including fortification both with protein and vitamins, with the protein fortification including therein at least two separate and distinct protein materials having reduced water binding capability, the vitamins being fat coated, and the marshmallow having a water activity coefficient, A w , no greater than 0.85. A hermetically sealed container completely encircles the food bar, a water converting catalyst is within the confines of the container, and an atmosphere surrounds the fortified marshmallow in the container, with the atmosphere comprising no more than about 4 percent by weight oxygen and the remainder of the atmosphere comprising an inert gas and sufficient hydrogen to combine with all the oxygen and convert it to water. |