STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH None FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention generally relates to a multi-piece food product and a method for making the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to a starch- based confectionary formulation used to make the multi-piece food product, a method for making the multi-piece food product, and an appealing and aesthetically pleasing shape of the multi-piece food product including multiple strands.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] In recent years, food manufacturers have increased the play value and visual attractiveness of their food products in hopes of obtaining or maintaining market share, particularly with young consumers. For instance, manufacturers often create food products that assume appealing shapes such as fish or animals. Manufacturers also produce food products that comprise multiple pieces that can be separated before consumption. Typically, multi-piece food products having multiple pieces are intended to provide amusement to young consumers and aesthetic appeal to older consumers.

[0004] In addition to increasing the play value and aesthetic appeal of their products, food manufacturers have also been trying to develop fruit-based confection products, which provide additional nutritional value for young consumers. Such confectionary fruit snacks are well known. For instance, United States Patent No. 4,117, 176 to Taylor et al. discloses a taffy-like confection made with real fruit pieces. Similarly, United States Patent No. 5,554, 410 to Bell et al. discloses a hard confection product made with fruit juice and United States Patent No. 6,548, 090 to Dwivedi discloses an extrudable confection made with fruit concentrate.

[0005] However, the prior art listed does not disclose a starch-based confectionary food product with high levels of fruit, particularly, such a food product having multiple, intertwined strands. As a result, there is a need in the food industry for a multi-piece food product having multiple, intertwined strands comprised from a starch-based confectionary formulation with a high level of fruit.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] The present invention provides a multi-piece food product comprising an edible material made from a mixture of at least 20% sweetener, at least 15% starchy material, and at least 1% fruit based on a total dry weight of the mixture. The multi-piece food product is formed by combining at least 20% sweetener, at least 15% starchy material, and at least 1% fruit with water to form a slurry, cooking the slurry to a certain degree of starch gelatinization, extruding at least two strands of the edible material from the cooked food mass, and forming the strands into an aggregate food mass. This provides an aesthetically appealing starch- based confection with the advantage of added nutritional value.

[0007] In another aspect of the invention, at least 15% starchy material, in the form of wheat flour, is used in the mixture to form the food product. Wheat flour is advantageous in a confectionary product to reduce tackiness of the final product and to provide a significant source of protein and nutritional value to the food product. The wheat flour could be hard or soft wheat.

[0008] In yet another aspect of the invention, at least two strands of the edible material are intertwined to form the aggregate food mass. In particular, the multi-piece food product comprises a center strand of the edible material, a first outer strand of the edible material wrapped about the center strand, and a second outer strand of the edible material wrapped about the center strand. In further aspects of the invention, these strands have different colors and/or flavors. The advantage of this configuration is to provide significant play value to the food product by giving consumers the option of separating or pulling apart the strands before eating.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein : [0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a multi-piece food product having three intertwined strands including two outer strands and a center strand with each of the strands having the same color or flavor ; [0011] Figure 2 is a fragmented elevational view of the multi-piece food product of Figure 1; [0012] Figure 3 is an end view of the multi-piece food product of Figure 1; [0013] Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating the steps carried out by the present invention to prepare a slurry for the multi-piece food product; [0014] Figure 5 is a perspective view of processing equipment used to form the multi- piece food product from the slurry prepared in Figure 2.

[0015] Figure 6 is a perspective view of an alternative multi-piece food product having three intertwined strands including two outer strands and a center strand with each of the three intertwined strands having a different color or flavor; [0016] Figure 7 is a perspective view of an alternative multi-piece food product having three intertwined strands including two outer strands and a center strand with the two outer strands having a different color or flavor than the center strand ; [0017] Figure 8 is a perspective view of an alternative multi-piece food product having three intertwined strands including two outer strands and a center strand with one of the two outer strands and the center strand having a different color or flavor than the other of the two outer strands ; [0018] Figure 9 is a perspective view of an alternative multi-piece food product having four intertwined strands including three outer strands and a center strand with each of the strands having a different color or flavor; [0019] Figure 10 is a fragmented elevational view of the multi-piece food product of Figure 9; [0020] Figure 11 is an end view of the multi-piece food product of Figure 9; [0021] Figure 12 is a perspective view of an alternative multi-piece food product having four intertwined strands including three outer strands and a center strand with each of the strands having the same color or flavor; [0022] Figure 13 is a perspective view of an alternative multi-piece food product having four intertwined strands including three outer strands and a center strand with each of the three outer strands having a different color or flavor than the center strand; [0023] Figure 14 is a perspective view of an alternative multi-piece food product having four intertwined strands including three outer strands and a center strand with one of the three outer strands and the center strand having a different color or flavor than each of the other two outer strands; [0024] Figure 15 is a perspective view of an alternative multi-piece food product having four intertwined strands including three outer strands and a center strand with two of the three outer strands and the center strand having a different color or flavor than the other outer strand ; [0025] Figure 16 is a perspective view of an alternative multi-piece food product having four intertwined strands including three outer strands and a center strand with one of the three outer strands and the center strand having a different color or flavor than the other two outer strands; [0026] Figure 17 is a perspective view of an alternative multi-piece food product having three strands that are layered upon one another; [0027] Figure 18 is an end view of an alternative multi-piece food product having three co-extruded strands forming a star-shaped cross-section; and [0028] Figure 19 is an end view of an alternative multi-piece food product having three co-extruded strands forming a round-shaped cross-section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0029] Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a multi-piece food product of the present invention is generally shown at 10.

Product Configuration [0030] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the multi-piece food product 10 comprises a plurality of elongated strands 12A, 12B that have been extruded, intertwined, and then cut to form an aesthetically pleasing multi-piece food product 10. The multi-piece food product 10 of FIGS.

1-3 includes a center strand 12B of edible material having a length lying generally along an axis 11 with two outer strands 12A of edible material wrapped about the center strand 12B along its length to define first and second sets of convolutions. The convolutions are wrapped and interpositioned about the center strand 12B along its length such that the center strand 12B undulates along its length (see FIG. 2). Each of the strands 12A, 12B may comprise different colors, flavors, or combinations thereof. Utilizing separate colors for each of the strands 12A, 12B increases the play value of the multi-piece food product 10, especially with young consumers. Similarly, providing different flavors for each strand 12A, 12B increases a palatably pleasing effect of the multi-piece food product 10. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the center strand 12B and each of the outer strands 12A share the same color and flavor (as indicated by the respective shading for each strand). However, as will be discussed further below, other variations are also illustrated.

Formulation [0031] A formulation used to make the multi-piece food product 10 is a starch-based confectionary formulation. Wheat flour is a preferred source of starchy material in the multi- piece food product 10. Other food grade starches such as modified corn starch, or modified com starch in combination with wheat flour could be used. In a mixture used to form the multi-piece food product 10, the starchy material comprises about 15 to 40% by weight, more preferably 20 to 35% by weight, and most preferably 25 to 30% by weight (all values or ranges based on weight are based on a total dry weight of the mixture used to form the multi- piece food product 10, unless otherwise noted). The use of wheat flour as the starchy material provides a substantial source of protein and overall nutritional value to the multi-piece food product 10. The wheat flour preferably has a protein content of 10 to 20% and more preferably has a protein content of 10 to 15%.

[0032] Sweetener provides the confectionary aspect of the formulation. The sweetener comprises 20 to 70% by weight of the mixture, more preferably 50 to 70% by weight, and most preferably 60 to 65% by weight of the mixture. The sweetener can be in the form of sucrose, dextrose, fructose, crystalline fructose, lactose, malt syrup, malt syrup solids, rice syrup solids, rice syrup, sorghum syrup, invert sugar, refiners syrup, corn syrup, corn syrup solids, maltose, high fructose corn syrup, honey, molasses, sugar alcohols, maltodextrin, or combinations thereof. It should be appreciated that a"no sugar added" product could also be formulated using sorbitol and other sugar alcohols.

[0033] The formulation also includes high levels of fruit from fruit powder, drum- dried fruit solids, freeze-dried fruit solids, or evaporated fruit puree or fruit juice concentrate with at least 40% fruit solids. It should be noted that fruits such as cleaned, de-capped, fresh strawberries contain only 6 to 9.5 lbs. of solids per hundred-weight, i. e. , 6 to 9.5% solids.

Hence, the formulation provided herein uses a concentrated source of fruit. Preferably, the amount of fruit ranges from 1 to 25% by weight, more preferably from 1 to 10% by weight, and most preferably from 1 to 8% by weight. The following are example formulations that can be used to produce the mixture and a slurry thereof that ultimately yields the multi-piece food product 10.

Example 1: % Solids % Wet wt. % Dry wt.

INGREDIENT (of ingredient) (as added) (as added) Corn Syrup 42 81. 00 25. 85 26. 183 Wheat Flour 87.00 26.77 29.124 Crystalline Fructose 100.00 11.00 13.755 Sugar 100.00 17.00 21.258 Pear Apple Juice Cone. 70.00 5.30 4.639 Fat (Veg. Shortening) 100.00 1.80 2.251 Glycerin 100.00 0.30 0.375 Citric Acid 100.00 0.90 1.125 Sodium Citrate 90.00 0.49 0.551 Salt 100.00 0.28 0.350 Glyceryl Monostearate 100.00 0.31 0. 388 Water 0. 00 10. 00 0. 000 Total 100.00 100.00 Slurry solids 80. 0 Example 2: % Solids % Wet wt. % Dry wt.

INGREDIENT (of ingredient) (as added) (as added) Corn Syrup 63 81.00 27.06 28.100 Wheat Flour 87.00 23.81 26.560 Corn Starch 89.00 0. 88 1.000 Crystalline Fructose 100.00 10.729 13.755 Sugar 100.00 16.581 21.258 Pear Apple Juice Conc. 70.00 5.303 4.759 Fat (Veg. Shortening) 100.00 1.756 2.251 Glycerin 100.00 0. 390 0.500 Citric Acid 100.00 0.078 0.100 Sodium Citrate 90.00 0.000 0.000 Salt 100.00 0.501 0.642 Glyceryl Monostearate 100.00 0.780 1.000 Potassium Sorbate 100.00 0.061 0.078 Water 0. 00 12. 073 0. 000 Total 100.00 100.00 Slurry solids 78.0 Example 3 : % Solids % Wet wt. % Dry wt.

INGREDIENT (of ingredient) (as added) (as added) Corn Syrup 62 83.80 40.75 42. 680 Wheat Flour 86.00 26.56 28.542 Sugar 100.00 14.40 18.000 Apple/Pear Juice 70.00 7.03 6.150 Fat (Veg. Shortening) 100.00 1.123 1.403 Glyceryl Monostearate 100.00 0. 889 1.111 Salt 100. 00 0. 510 0.637 Corn Starch 89. 00 0.450 0.500 Glycerin 100.00 0.400 0.500 Citric Acid 100. 00 0. 320 0. 400 Potassium Sorbate 100.00 0.062 0.077 Water 0. 00 7. 501 0. 000 Total 100. 00 100. 00 Slurry solids 80. 0 [0034] These examples illustrate that each of the ingredients can be used in varying amounts. The ranges that can be used for each of the ingredients are listed in TABLE 1 below with a preferred range, a more preferred range, and a most preferred range. For instance, referring to TABLE 1, the amount of starchy material, e. g. , wheat flour, used to prepare the slurry preferably ranges from approximately 15 to 40%, more preferably from 20 to 35%, and most preferably from 25 to 30% based on a total dry weight of the mixture used to form the multi-piece food product 10.

TABLE 1 Preferred More Preferred Most Preferred INGREDIENT % Dry wt. % Dry wt. % Dry wt.

Starchy Material 15-40 20-35 25-30 (Wheat Flour) (15-40) (20-35) (25-30) (Com Starch) (0-10) (0-5) (0-2) Sweetener 20-70 50-70 60-65 (Corn Syrup) (20-60) (20-50) (20-45) (Crystalline Fructose) (0-20) (0-18) (5-15) (Sugar) (0-40) (0-30) (15-25) Fruit 1-25 1-10 1-8 Edible Oil 0-5 0-3 1-3 Humectant 0-2 0-1.5 0.3-1 Wheat Gluten 0-5 0-3 0-2 Food Grade Acid 0-3 0-1 0-0.5 Buffer 0-1 0-0.5 0-0.3 Salt 0-2 0-1 0-0.5 Emulsifier 0-3 0-2 0-0.5 Preservative 0-1 0-0.1 0-0.05 Food Colors* 0-1 0-0. 5 0-0. 2 Total 100.00 100.00 100.00 * artificial or natural food colors can be added to the slurry or injected later into food streams.

[0035] Still referring to TABLE 1, the mixture preferably has from 0 to 5% of an edible oil or shortening. Examples of edible oils or shortenings that could be used include partially hydrogenated vegetable oils such as natural or hydrogenated soybean, cottonseed, canola, peanut, safflour, sunflour, coconut, palm, palm kernel, olive, butterfat, cocoa butter, tallow, lard, corn oil, or combinations thereof.

[0036] The mixture may have a humectant such as glycerin for moisture retention.

The humectant is present in the mixture in a preferred amount of from 0 to 2%. Other examples of humectants that could be used include sorbitol solution, a mixture of glycerin and sorbitol, fructose, propylene glycol, or combinations thereof.

[0037] The mixture may include wheat gluten in a preferred amount of from 0 to 5%.

The wheat gluten may serve as an additional protein source and/or for controlling textural properties of the multi-piece food product 10.

[0038] The mixture may include a food grade acid such as citric acid for modifying the pH of the slurry formed from the mixture. The food grade acid is present in the mixture in a preferred amount of from 0 to 3%. Other food grade acids that could be used include malic acid, tartaric acid, ascorbic acid, phosphoric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, adipic acid, glucono delta lactone acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid, tarenic acid, or combinations thereof.

[0039] The mixture may include a buffer such as sodium citrate for controlling the pH. The buffer is present in the mixture in a preferred amount of from 0 to 1%.

[0040] Salt may be added to the mixture in a preferred amount of from 0 to 2% to provide flavor enhancement. The salt is chosen from, but is not limited to, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, or combinations thereof.

[0041] The mixture may include an emulsifier such as glyceryl monostearate for maintaining the product softness over time. The emulsifier is present in the mixture in a preferred amount of from 0 to 3%. Other emulsifiers could also be used such as glycerol esters, diacetyl tartaric acids, esters of monoglycerides, mono and di-glycerides, polyglycerol esters, polysorbate, propylene glycol esters, rice extract esters, sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate, sorbitan esters, sugar esters, acetylated monoglycerides, lecithin, or combinations thereof.

[0042] A preservative such as potassium sorbate may also be present in the mixture in a preferred amount of from 0 to 1%. Other preservatives such as sodium propionate or potassium benzoate could be used as well.

[0043] It should be appreciated that the edible oil, humectant, wheat gluten, food grade acid, buffer, salt, emulsifier, and preservative are optional ingredients.

Process [0044] The multi-piece food product 10 may be formed in the following steps. The ingredients added in these steps are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the invention. Other combinations of ingredients in accordance with the invention are also possible. For instance, in these steps, the optional ingredients of edible oil, humectant, salt, emulsifier, food grade acid, buffer, corn starch, wheat gluten, and preservative have been added, however, it should be appreciated that the multi-piece food product 10 may be formed without these optional ingredients.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 4, in a first step, the corn syrup (either 42 DE or 63 DE), edible oil, humectant, and fruit are mixed in a mix tank 14. The mix tank 14 includes a mixer and is thermally controlled. The use of the corn syrup provides sweetness without affecting the texture of the multi-piece food product 10.

[0046] In a second step, the sugar and crystalline fructose are added to the mix tank 14.

[0047] In a third step, the salt, emulsifier, food grade acid, and buffer are preblended in a separate kettle (not shown) and then added to the mix tank 14.

[0048] In a fourth step, the wheat flour, corn starch, and wheat gluten are added to the mix tank 14 and all of the ingredients in the mix tank 14 are mixed.

[0049] In a fifth step, the water is added to the mix tank 14 to bring the solids to a range of from 70 to 90% based on a total weight of the slurry.

[0050] In a sixth step, the preservative is preblended in a separate kettle (not shown) by dissolving in water. This preblended mixture is then added to the mix tank 14. The preservative is added to prevent molding of the multi-piece food product 10.

[0051] In a seventh step, the slurry is heated to a temperature of from 130 to 160 degrees Fahrenheit, preferably 145 degrees Fahrenheit and mixed.

[0052] From the mix tank 14, the slurry is pumped to a slurry use tank 18, which is thermally controlled. From there, the slurry is fed to a cooker 20, as shown in FIG. 5. At this point, a moisture content of the slurry is preferably from 18 to 35%, and more preferably from 20 to 25%.

[0053] The cooker 20 is preferably a cooker extruder such as a Krupp Werner & Pfleiderer W-P 120 extruder. The cooker 20 has a barrel 22 within which dual screws (not shown) are rotating to mix and convey the slurry. The barrel 22 has a temperature of from 250 to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to cook the slurry and bring the slurry to a preferred degree of starch and protein gelatinization. At the same time, a vacuum of from 5 to 20 inches of Mercury is drawn in the barrel 22 of the cooker 20 to remove moisture from the slurry. The barrel 22 is cooled using a cooling water circuit (not shown) held at a temperature of from 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit to cool the slurry. Optionally, the cooker 20 can be a continuous scraped surface cooker (not shown) such as a BCH Licorice cooker from Coates Engineering.

[0054] A batch process could also be employed to cook the slurry. For instance, the cooker 20 could be a conventional, steam-jacketed kettle cooker with swept-wall agitation (not shown) and the slurry could be pumped from the mix tank 14 to the cooker 20 to batch cook the slurry. Alternatively, the cooker 20 could be an open-air kettle cooker (not shown) to batch cook the slurry. In this instance, the slurry may be additionally pumped through a vacuum pot (not shown) to further remove moisture.

[0055] A single food stream exits the cooker 20. In the case of using the cooker extruder, the single food stream is extruded from the cooker 20. When the continuous scraped surface cooker is used, a positive displacement pump at the discharge, like a Waukasha model 60, forms the food into the single food stream. When one of the batch cookers is used, the single food stream is pumped from the cooker 20 after each batch is cooked.

[0056] The single food stream from the cooker 20 is then fed to a die head 25 such as an ExtruFoods DieMix 4 die head and split or divided into at least two food streams, preferably three food streams 24A, 24B including two outer food streams 24A and a center food stream 24B. Of course, the separate food streams 24A, 24B could also be formed by using two or three separate cookers 20, either continuous or batch cookers, as opposed to having only one cooker 20 and splitting the single food stream from the cooker 20 into multiple food streams.

[0057] After the slurry is separated into the food streams 24A, 24B, ascorbic acid solution A, colors C, and flavors F are injected into each of the food streams 24A and 24B.

This injection is illustrated generally by arrows in FIG. 5 denoted A, C, and F with one arrow directed at each food stream 24A, 24B, even though preferably the ascorbic acid solution A, colors C, and flavors F are injected into each of the food streams 24A, 24B. The ascorbic acid solution A comprises a 25% aqueous ascorbic acid solution based on volume that is prepared and warmed as required to dissolve completely. Injection of the ascorbic acid solution A into the food streams 24A, 24B is optional. The ascorbic acid solution A, colors C, and flavors F could be injected into the slurry before entering the cooker 20 or multiple cookers 20, or the ascorbic acid solution A, colors C, and flavors F could be injected in the cooker 20 or multiple cookers 20.

[0058] As previously discussed, different colors C and/or flavors F are preferably injected into the food streams 24A, 24B such that each food stream 24A, 24B has a different color and/or flavor than the other two. A pump (not shown) is used to inject the colors C and/or flavors F into the food streams 24A, 24B. Static and dynamic mixers (not shown) could also be used in each of the food streams 24A, 24B to further mix the ascorbic acid A, colors C, and/or flavors F. The flavors F and colors C are injected at a rate of from 0.2 to 0.8% of total mass flow. At this point in the process, the slurry has a temperature of from 160 to 220 degrees Fahrenheit.

[0059] After the ascorbic acid A (optional), colors C, and flavors F are added, the food streams 24A, 24B enter a former 26, e. g. , a Bepex-Hutt Formpress System manufactured by Hosokawa BEPE) JM, which channels the three food streams 24A, 24B into a header 28.

The food streams 24A, 24B are preferably diverted in the header 28 to separate nozzles 30A, 30B. The nozzles 30A, 30B are rotated while the strands 12A, 12B are extruded from the nozzles 30A, 30B and aggregated to form an aggregate food mass 31 having the three intertwined strands 12A, 12B. Those well skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of formers 26 or dies with spinning head arrangements could be used to form the aggregate food mass 31. The former 26 could also be used to co-extude the strands. Such a former 26 is found in U. S. Patent No's 6,709, 255 to Kappes et al. and 6,712, 595 to Horna et al. , herein incorporated by reference. In this instance, co-extrusion is a form of extruding the strands and forming the strands to form the aggregate food mass 31.

[0060] In the preferred embodiment of the former 26, the nozzles 30A, 30B can be further defined as two outer nozzles 30A and a center nozzle 30B. Each of the nozzles 30A, 30B rotates about a rotation axis that falls along a centerline (not shown) of the center nozzle 30B. Hence, during operation, the outer strands 12A, which are extruded from the outer nozzles 30A, are spiraled in a helical shape about the center strand 12B, which is extruded from the center nozzle 30B. This nozzle arrangement is illustrated in U. S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0086096 to Fux et al. , herein incorporated by reference. Preferably, the outer strands 12A are spiraled once every 2 inches about the center strand 12B to form a convolution every 1 inch. The outer nozzles 30A have a diameter of from 5 to 9 millimeters, while the center nozzle 30B has a diameter of from 6 to 10 millimeters. The result is the outer strands 12A being smaller in diameter than the center strand 12B.

[0061] A conveyor system 32 having a conveyor belt 34 transports the food mass 31 from the former 26. The conveyor belt 34 may be coated with a release agent or non-stick coating such as vegetable oil, wax, etc. to facilitate release of the food mass 31 from the conveyor belt 34. As the food mass 31 is transported, immediately after extrusion from the former 26, the food mass 31 has a temperature of from 160 to 220 degrees Fahrenheit. A cooling tunnel 36 cools the food mass 31 for a period of from 5 to 10 minutes as the food mass 31 is transported to yield a final product temperature of from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The food mass 31 is shown in hidden lines within the cooling tunnel 36 for illustration. The cooling tunnel 36 is maintained at a temperature of from 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. At this stage in the process, the food mass 31 has a moisture content of from 15 to 20%.

[0062] The cooled food mass 31 is conveyed first to a cutter 38 and then to a packager 40. Pieces of the food mass 31 are cut by the cutter 38 in lengths of from 3 to 7 inches and then wrapped in heat-sealed pouches 42 at the packager 40. A separate conveyor system 43 may be used to transport the cut pieces to the packager 40, as shown in FIG. 5.

The packager 40 is preferably a horizontal film wrapper 40. The sealed pouches 42 will then be manually cartoned in six count cartons 44 and cased in blank twelve count containers (not shown).

[0063] FIGS. 6-8 illustrate sample variations in color and/or flavor of the strands 12A, 12B of the multi-piece food product 10. The different colors and/or flavors are indicated by the different shading used for the elongated strands 12A, 12B. Any combination of colors and/or flavors is possible for the multi-piece food product 10. For instance, FIG. 6 illustrates the multi-piece food product 10 wherein the center strand 12B has a first color, one of the outer strands 12A has a second color, and the other of the outer strands 12A has a third color and each of the first, second, and third colors are different. Likewise, FIG. 6 also illustrates the multi-piece food product 10 wherein the center strand 12B has a first flavor, one of the outer strands 12A has a second flavor, and the other of the outer strands 12A has a third flavor and each of the first, second, and third flavors are different. In FIG. 7, the center strand 12B has a first color or flavor and the outer strands 12A share a second color or flavor different than the first color or flavor. In FIG. 8, the center strand 12B and one of the outer strands 12A share a first color or flavor and the other of the outer strands has a second color or flavor that is different than the first color or flavor.

[0064] FIGS. 9-16 illustrate another form of the multi-piece food product 10 produced substantially the same as illustrated above except that the aggregate food mass 31 is formed with three outer strands 12A wrapped about the center strand 12B.

[0065] FIGS. 17-19 illustrate three other forms of the multi-piece food product 10. In FIG. 17, the multi-piece food product 10 includes strands 12C, 12D, and 12E, in the form of thin strips. Here, the thin strips are layered on top of one another to form the aggregate food mass 31, either by co-extruding the strips, as discussed above, or by layering the strips together after extrusion. In FIG. 18, the multi-piece food product 10 includes strands 12F, 12G, and 12H. Here, the strands 12F, 12G, and 12H are shown as forming the aggregate food mass 31 with a star-shaped cross-section. In FIG. 19, the multi-piece food product 10 includes strands 12I, 12J, and 12K. Here, the strands 12I, 12J, and 12K are shown as forming the aggregate food mass 31 with a round-shaped cross-section. The multi-piece food products 10 of FIGS. 17-19 illustrate two examples in which the strands are extruded and formed or aggregated by co-extrusion. As before, each of the strands of these additional embodiments may include any combination of colors and/or flavors.

[0066] Further embodiments of the form of the multi-piece food product 10 (not shown), such as one with two or three outer strands 12A that are intertwined together, such as shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, without the center strand 12B are also possible. The strands 12A, 12B could also be braided together (three or more strands) to form the multi-piece food products 10. Thus, the strands 12A, 12B formed by the process illustrated above can be aggregated in a variety of manners to form the aggregate food mass 31.

[0067] Obviously, many other modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. For instance, multiple headers 28 could be used to simultaneously extrude multiple aggregate food masses 31 onto multiple lanes on the conveyor belt 34. Likewise, the cooling tunnel 36, cutter 38, and packager 40 could be configured to accommodate multiple lanes.