Development of a Pulse Based, Gluten-Free Shelf-Stable Ready-to-Eat Meal Using Retort Technology

Pulses are gluten-free, low in fat and rich in dietary fibre containing both soluble and insoluble fibre, complex carbohydrates and protein, and are packed with essential vitamins and minerals. Retorting or canning has been the technology of choice for commercial sterilization of shelf-stable low-acid foods which can be stored for months or years without any addition of preservatives. The retort pouch is a flexible laminated food package that can withstand thermal processing up to 130°C, offering shelf stability of metal cans, coupled with preservation of texture and nutrient value associated with frozen foods. In this study, ten pulse-based gluten-free, shelf-stable, ready-to-eat meal prototype products were developed. They all have acceptable sensory profiles, containing a mixture of edible beans, soybeans, and wild rice along with other natural food ingredients.