B. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This invention is the subject of United States patent application number 10/689193 filed on 10/20/2003.

C. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates generally to the field of food science and relates more specifically to dips comprising insoluble fiber compositions.

D. BACKGROUND ART The present invention relates to dips comprising emulsified liquid shortening compositions comprising dietary fiber gel, water and lipid. Recent media attention to the global problem of obesity demonstrates a need for greater availability of foods with low caloric and fat content. This is especially true for foods that typically have high fat and caloric content, such as dips.

Dips typically comprise some fat. Other ingredients can vary according to the type of dip and the recipe followed, but typically, dips are high in both fat and caloric content.

In recent years, some companies have begun to offer reduced fat dips. This variety of dip, however, often fails to retain the desirable taste and texture of dips comprising higher fat contents.

The absence of a means to reduce the fat and caloric content of dips while still producing a desirably flavored and textured dip presents an unmet need in today's food industry.

E. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a unique composition of matter embodied by low-calorie and low-fat dips. This reduction in caloric and fat content answers an unmet need in the food industry to provide the consuming public with a healthier, higher fiber alternative to traditional types of dips that typically are inherently fattening. It is another object

of the present invention to provide dips that have seen craned with insoluble fiber and other functional foods.

Dietary fiber gels for calorie reduced foods hold the key to meeting this need. Dietary Sber gels for calorie reduced foods are fully described in U. S. Patent number 5, 766, 662 (the'662 patent). These dietary fiber gels comprise insoluble dietary fibers consisting of morphologically disintegrated cellular structures, and are characterized by their ability to retain large amounts of water. Additionally, these dietary fiber gels are characterized by their high viscosity at low solid levels. Other insoluble fibers derived from cereals, grains and legumes consist of morphologically in tact cellular structures, and thus impart a gritty texture to the foods in which they are contained. The dietary fiber gels disclosed in the'662 patent however, consist of morphologically disintegrated cellular structures and thus impart a smoother texture than other insoluble fiber formulations.

More specifically, the present invention utilizes emulsified mixtures of the dietary fiber gels disclosed in the'662 patent, the emulsified mixtures further comprising, at a minimum, water and lipid. These emulsified mixtures are fully described in and are the subject of United States patent application number 10/669731 filed 09/24/2003. These emulsified mixtures, or "emulsified liquid shortening compositions comprising dietary fiber gel, water and lipid", can further comprise functional foods such as high omega three and omega six oils and pure omega three and omega six fatty acids, medium chain triglyceride, beta carotene, calcium estearate, vitamin E, bioflavonoids, fagopyzitrol polyphenolic antioxidants of vegetable origin, lycopene, luteine and soluble fiber, for example Beta-Glucan derived from yeast, and other soluble fibers derived from grain, flax seed, and other vegetable and fruit fiber sources, and any combination thereof Hence, in addition to reducing fat and caloric content of dips, further health benefits can be achieved by replacing a portion of fat with emulsified liquid shortening compositions comprising dietary fiber gel, water and lipid.

According to the present invention, fat and caloric content can be reduced by the replacement of the fat normally found in dips with emulsified liquid shortening compositions

comprising dietary fiber gel, water and lipid. This reptacement of fat does not adversely affect either the taste or texture of the dips. The result is that fat and caloric content of dips can be manipulated with minimal effect on taste and texture, and as stated above, additional health benefits can be achieved through consumption of dips comprising emulsified liquid shortening compositions comprising dietary fiber gel, water and lipid when functional foods are included in the formulations.

Further objects, advantages and features of the present invention will present themselves in the following detailed description F. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION This invention is directed to dips comprising emulsified liquid shortening compositions comprising dietary fiber gel, water and lipid. According to the present invention, fat and caloric content can be reduced by the replacement of the fat normally found in dips with emulsified liquid shortening compositions comprising dietary fiber gel, water and lipid (hereinafter "emulsified liquid shortening"). This replacement of fat does not adversely affect either the taste or texture of the dips. The result is that fat and caloric content of dips can be manipulated with minimal effect on taste and texture.

Alternatively, the dips can be provided in the form of dip mixes with the intention that a consumer can mix them at a convenient, post-purchase time, and dip mixes are considered to be within the scope of this invention. As such, for purposes of this document, the term"dips"is defined to include dip mixes.

According to the present invention, dips can be formulated such that the dips comprise 0. 5 percent to 7.0 percent dietary fiber gel solids by replacing an appropriate amount, that is, prorated to deliver this range of dietary fiber gel solids, of fat including oil and liquid shortening, with an essentially identical amount of emulsified liquid shortening. The result is that fat and caloric content of dips can be manipulated with minimal effect on taste and texture, and as stated above, additional health benefits can be achieved through consumption of dips comprising

emulsified liquid shortening compositions compnsmg dietary fiber gel, water and lipid when functional foods are included in the formulations.