Smokeable product with reduced content of pathogens

Abstract

Smokeable products, such as tobacco, substantially free of pathogens, and methods for the preparation of such products, are disclosed.

1 . A smokeable product in a finished form ready for smoking wherein said smokeable product has been treated in the finished form so as to be substantially free of potential pathogens. 
     
     
         2 . The finished smokeable product of  claim 1  selected from the group consisting of cigarettes, cigars, and pipe tobacco. 
     
     
         3 . The smokeable product of  claim 1  wherein said treatment comprises subjecting the smokeable to sterilizing means. 
     
     
         4 . The smokeable product of  claim 3  wherein said sterilizing means comprises radiation, heat, chemical treatment, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The smokeable product of  claim 1  wherein the smokeable product is sealed in packaging impervious to pathogens either before treatment or under aseptic conditions after treatment. 
     
     
         6 . The smokeable product of  claim 1  wherein the smokeable product is treated with an antimicrobial preservative. 
     
     
         7 . The smokeable product of  claim 1  wherein the treated smokeable product is inoculated with a controlled culture of microorganisms which contains viable microorganisms which are known to be beneficial or harmless. 
     
     
         8 . The smokeable product of  claim 1  which is a cigarette. 
     
     
         9 . A process for preparing a smokeable product that is substantially free of potential pathogens comprising:
 a. providing a finished smokeable product in a form ready for smoking; and   b. treating the smokeable product with a sterilizing means under conditions to remove, kill or inactivate pathogens wherein said treatment results in a smokeable product that is substantially free of potential pathogens.   
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 9  wherein the finished smokeable product is selected from the group consisting of cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 9  wherein the sterilizing means comprises radiation, heat, chemical treatment, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 9  further comprising the step of treating the smokeable product with an antimicrobial preservative. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 9  further comprising the step of inoculating the treated smokeable with a controlled culture of microorganisms which contains viable microorganisms which are known to be beneficial or harmless. 
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 9  further comprising the step of sealing the treated smokeable product in packaging impervious to pathogens under aseptic conditions. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 9  further comprising an initial step of sealing the finished smokeable product in packaging impervious to pathogens. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 9  wherein the smokeable product is a cigarette.