Innovation

Tech Update

PLCs and controllers are being used as intelligent gateways to IIoT

Wayne Labs

October 16, 2019

PLCs/PACs are the unseen workhorses in our processes and material handling/packaging equipment today.

Food Safety

Food processors must be proactive in sanitary and hygienic design

Sharon Spielman

October 14, 2019

The operator is responsible to the public for safe food manufacturing.

The State of Food Manufacturing

2019 State of Food Manufacturing Survey

Food Engineering’s annual survey of the industry shows efficiency is top of mind for food and beverage processors

Casey Laughman

October 7, 2019

Since 2014, respondents to Food Engineering’s annual State of Food Manufacturing survey have ranked automation as the No. 1 trend affecting the industry—until this year.

With powerful analytics software tools, facilities can now understand and analyze energy use and costs in greater depth.

Energy Management

New technologies shed light on energy use and waste

Energy management doesn’t have to be disconnected from processes in the plant—not when energy analytics and IIoT can help processors hone in on energy waste and cut food waste, too

Ram Kaushik

October 4, 2019

Food and beverage plants have a complicated energy infrastructure that can be more costly than it needs to be. In fact, many industrial plants are not taking advantage of the solutions available to reduce energy spending and streamline plant operations. To improve energy management in a food and beverage plant, plant managers and staff need to understand the process context of energy to determine what solutions to implement for greater efficiency.

Cybersecurity

How PepsiCo upgraded its access control software

FSMA requires food processors control access to those who come into contact with food, so PepsiCo took immediate action to locate a reliable access control provider

Wayne Labs

October 3, 2019

PepsiCo faced a dilemma about three years ago when its access control software provider announced “end of life” for its legacy security software, potentially leaving more than 300 PepsiCo locations in the lurch for an access control system. What to do?

Android is not just for smartphones—it’s for smart low-temp operations too

Despite the critical need for accountability, many processing facilities and distribution centers are using devices that run on legacy Windows systems.

September 27, 2019

More and more plants and distribution centers are turning to panel PCs that have Android operating systems for monitoring and controlling low-temp processing and material handling operations.

Pack Expo

Pack Expo Preview: Tackling common robotics concerns

Sean Riley

September 15, 2019

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which make up much of the food industry, have been hesitant to invest in robotics solutions. However, there are many reasons for companies to reconsider.

HPP: Equipment, Trends and the Science Behind the Technology

With roots in food safety and shelf-life goals, high pressure processing is relatively young but growing in the industry

Sharon Spielman

September 15, 2019

High pressure processing is growing rapidly as a way to make food safe without heat and keep it tasting and looking its best longer.

The 2019 Top 100 Food & Beverage Companies

More than half the top 100 change places, but Nestlé stays No. 1

Jules Scully

September 9, 2019

Food Engineering’s annual ranking of the 100 largest food and beverage companies in the world, exclusively sponsored by CRB.

Cargill to open Innovation Lab at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The innovation lab provides Cargill with a pipeline of software engineering and data science students and graduates ready to modernize agricultural supply chains and food systems across the globe.

August 26, 2019

Cargill, Minneapolis, announced plans to open a new Cargill Innovation Lab at University of Illinois’ Research Park, Urbana-Champaign, Ill.