The invention relates to a method for the prevention of the secretion of the yellowish liquid with peeled cooked eggs.

To clarify the problems that arise upon putting peeled cooked eggs on the market in comparison with fresh eggs the difference between the physical properties of both products and the consequences thereof on their conservation has to be pointed out in the first place. A fresh egg dries out so that for the conservation of fresh eggs use is sometimes made of coatings that protect the shell in such a manner that the "respiration" of the eggs is countered. Such a coating can be composed of a dry film that covers the shell on the surface and prevents the "breathing" of fresh eggs, thus the drying out thereof.

Peeled cooked eggs do not on the contrary secrete any humidity in the atmosphere but secrete a yellowish liquid. This phenomenon appears very clearly because upon packaging in thereto suitable transparent film material for peeled cooked eggs under a modified atmos¬ phere, the disturbing effects of this phenomenon are strongly remarked. Because peeled cooked eggs are an elastic material with very specific physical properties, it appears that until now no effective treatment has been proposed to counter the above discussed phenomenon.

The secretion of the above discussed yello¬ wish liquid makes the commercialising of peeled cooked eggs impossible.

In order to solve this problem according to the invention, the peeled cooked eggs are provided with an eatable elastic coating.

In an especially attractive embodiment use is made of a material based on proteins as eatable elastic coating. Excellent results were obtained with coat¬ ings made of a composition based on water with about 15% gel and 3% glycerin.

No method is known neither in the litera¬ ture, nor in the practical experience for the prevention of humidity loss with peeled cooked eggs. This phenomenon is very disturbing since such eggs are dispatched and sold, each separately, in a transparent plastic package.

The method according to the invention provides a technically remarkably feasible and astonishing solution to the hereabove discussed problems.

According to the invention the eggs are provided with an eatable elastic coating. As eatable elastic coating are suitable: protein. To these proteins belong substances issued from corn, wheat, soya beans or collagen (gelatin) as well as milk (casein) or peas.

Advantages of the above mentioned composi¬ tion of proteins are amongst others a good mechanical strength with which essentially the elasticity is aimed, good sensorial properties, easy and rapid film formation, high water diffusion capacity, possibility to form an intact coating on a humid surface. Eatable elastic coatings that are proposed in the scope of this invention are resistant to temperatu¬ res in the range of 50 to 60°C. They can be brought onto

the eggs by atomising or submerging what renders the desired industrial application possible. The coatings discussed here are resistant during 3 to 4 weeks against the activity of certain enzymes present in the egg. In order to obtain a good elastic and eatable coating, use can be made of a composite coating, wherein numerous additives can be used.

To these additives belong amongst others sodium alginate, potash alginate, ammonium alginate, calcium alginate, agar-agar, Irish moss, Saint John's bead seed flower, guar seed flower, tragacanth, Arabic rubber, xanthene rubber, tara rubber, gellan rubber, glycerol, pectines, acetyl monoglyceride, polyethylene glycol and their derivatives. The eatable elastic coatings that come into consideration here, form good supports for a series of additives that contribute to the external aspect and/or the taste of the eggs.

Additives that influence the taste of the eggs and that can be added in the coating are aroma's, salt, pepper and other spices.

Further shall still be underlined that the applied coatings carriers can be issued from anti-oxi- dants, anti-microbe material and/or functional biological composites such as vitamins, enzymes and the like.

In resume it can be said that in the scope of the invention the following compositions are available.

1. A single coating based on proteins;

2. A composite coating based on proteins and one or more of the above mentioned additives;

3. A composite coating according to points 1 and 2 with addition of flavourings;

4. A composite coating according to point 3 with addition of anti-oxidants, anti-microbial material and/or func- tional biological compositions.

The application of an eatable elastic coating on peeled cooked eggs thus allows to package these eggs in a transparent plastic film and to commercialise them in this conditioning. The external look of the eggs stays unchanged and the secretion of a yellowish humidity is definitely prevented.