Process of preparing a particulate food acidulant

Claim 1

A process for making a particulate food acidulant comprising calcium lactate carrier, lactic acid, and lipid coating comprising the steps of: plating lactic acid onto particulate calcium lactate carrier by spray applying said lactic acid onto said calcium lactate carrier, while said carrier is in the form of a fluid bed, from a lactic acid solution of more than 80% concentration; the calcium lactate plated with lactic acid containing less than about 13% by weight water following spray application; and said calcium lactate plated with lactic acid having a particle size distribution such that at least 80% is retained on U.S. Standard Sieve screens in the range of 20-70 mesh, inclusive; and then encapsulating said carrier and acid by spray coating said carrier and acid with a molten edible lipid in an amount effective to prevent substantial release of acid from said acidulant before said lipid coating melts, while said carrier and acid are in the form of a fluid bed, said lipid containing less than about 0.5% by weight water; said coating taking place before material absorption of water by the lactic acid.