Do we have any word on the TTR? This will certainly help to steer us in the right direction.
Also, Ernie – thanks for requesting the spec, and Trin, thanks for providing. I understand now, the appearance of the shrimp is not flat by design.
Of all the photos within the surveyor’s report, the one that concerns me the most is # 42 (below). This clumping seems beyond normal to me, and possibly difficult to separate by the fryer operator in the restaurant kitchen, without damaging the coating.
However, if the product was thermally abused to cause clumping to this extent, I would expect to see more ice crystallization directly on the product surface.
Kim – I’ll call you in a few minutes to talk about potential sampling strategy.
Note that raw breaded product intended for frying will display a very dark breading color after cooking if it has been thermally abused.