Patent ID: 7799361

Claim:
An absorbent food pad comprising: an absorbent or superabsorbent medium comprising two or more tissue layers that can absorb a liquid purge from a food product up to an amount of a nominal absorbency of the absorbent food pad, wherein said nominal absorbency is at least 50 grams of liquid; one or more bacterial inhibitor present in said absorbent or superabsorbent medium; and a CO 2 generating system present in said absorbent or superabsorbent medium; wherein said one or more bacterial inhibitor contacts said liquid purge and inhibits growth of bacteria in said liquid purge, wherein said CO 2 generating system has a bacteriostatic effect on bacteria present on a surface of said food product by inhibiting bacterial respiration, and wherein the combination of said inhibition of growth of bacteria in said liquid purge by said bacterial inhibitor and said bacteriostatic effect on bacteria residing on said surface of said food product by said CO 2 generating system enhance the shelf life, food safety, and appearance of said food product.