Articles by Wayne Labs

Food Safety

The importance of preventive controls

Preventive controls are a must for processors to meet safety goals

Wayne Labs

April 22, 2018

The idea of preventive controls is not process-centric, but risk based. And its principles are not new concepts.

Engineering R&D

Optoelectronic nose can offer new options for checking quality

Based on a handheld reader for colorimetric sensor arrays, the optoelectronic nose can monitor meat freshness or detect fraudulent whiskeys

Wayne Labs

April 16, 2018

Two University of Illinois professors have devised and published methods to monitor the freshness of meat and to identify liquors

Information Security

Beefing up on industrial computer security and password protection

Industrial automation systems are becoming secure-by-design, but weak passwords can wreak havoc with the best-designed systems

Wayne Labs

April 6, 2018

A newly published standard specifies process requirements for the secure development of products used in industrial automation and control systems (IACS).

High-Pressure Processing

Cold Pressure Council offers updated guidelines for HPP

Cold Pressure Council’s “HPP Certified” seal indicates freshness and a food-safe, clean-label product

Wayne Labs

March 27, 2018

Since June of last year, the Cold Pressure Council (CPC) has been busy with finalizing its organizational structure, and is moving on to provide guidelines for the application of HPP to additional food types.

Engineering R&D

Rubber Fab develops technology to spot rubber with x-rays

Sanitary gaskets and seals have typically been invisible to X-ray detection systems, but a new range of functional materials makes them opaque

Wayne Labs

March 25, 2018

Rubber Fab has solved another perennial problem—how to detect rubber seal and gasket foreign matter in food using X-ray systems, as X-rays just don’t generally see rubber or fluoropolymer sealing materials.

Food Safety

How to upgrade your plant to meet food safety standards

If your plant is more than 30 years old, chances are it needs some work if it’s to meet current regulations and pass muster with food safety and customer audits

Wayne Labs

March 18, 2018

Just like an older home, an aging food plant can have its share of problems. If your roof leaks, or there’s a hole in the wall in which cold air and critters could come through—or your front door loses all its weather stripping—you’d be on it in no time. These situations are even more problematic for an older food and beverage facility, especially where food safety is concerned.

Innovation

Is the last mile the last challenge for retailers?

Many retailers know that a quick and speedy delivery is key to finding new business and holding onto it

Wayne Labs

March 15, 2018

Companies like Target and Amazon realize the importance of quick, same-day delivery when it comes to food and beverage products.

Food Safety

GAO releases report on FDA/FSMA progress

Report calls for performance measures, timeline for long-term food safety activities

Wayne Labs

March 9, 2018

With FSMA now the law of the land and the FDA budgeting $1 billion annually for food safety and nutrition, the agency needs to take several steps to meet food safety and nutrition objectives, says a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

Engineering R&D

AI, IIOT help take the guesswork out of maintenance planning

Artificial intelligence and the Industrial Internet of Things are expanding the power and reach of predictive maintenance.

Wayne Labs

February 23, 2018

Whether a line stoppage at a plant is catastrophic or simply a waste of time, money and resources, everyone agrees that it would be better to know when the drive, motor, gearbox or substation will fail.

Automation

China turns to robotics to solve labor shortage problems

With China's working-age population falling, labor costs are sky-rocketing, and robotics may be the solution

Wayne Labs

February 15, 2018

China has been a leader in mass production—with lots of manual labor— but coming shortages in China’s working-age population have experts concerned. In the past, labor was plentiful, and automation was not seen as a necessity.

On Demand Kelley Rodriguez, Editor in Chief of Refrigerated & Frozen Foods, will be joined in this 60-minute webinar by industry experts to help unpack the latest research.

On Demand Driven by climate goals, business risk, client interest, and resilience considerations, food and beverage companies are increasingly turning their attention to decarbonizing their production processes.