Debra Schug

Debra Schug was Editor-in-Chief of Food Engineering. She began her media career over a decade ago writing and producing broadcast news for both television and radio at the local and national level. She spent many years as the managing editor for two trade magazines in the oil industry and the research editor for an annual petroleum report. She has a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from Iowa State University.

Food Packaging

Food Packaging: UV light and recycled PET bottles

Debra Schug

November 26, 2015

The storage conditions of post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles could affect further recycled PET bottles, according to a recent Plastic Technologies, Inc. research study.

Food Safety

Eliminating hygienic hazards

Smart planning and utilization of sanitary plant design principles can save processors time, money, embarrassment and even their businesses.

Debra Schug

November 25, 2015

By now, say the name Blue Bell, and the first thought in most people’s minds isn’t ice cream. The company just went through one of the biggest recalls in recent times due to potential contamination from Listeria monocytogenes.

Food Packaging

Food Packaging: Milk in a stick

Debra Schug

November 18, 2015

MA Dairy & Food USA has introduced a new packaging option for hot beverage condiments—the “Milk in a Stick” package.

Green Series

Sustainable stars in food manufacturing

Five facilities are recognized for projects or programs that improve environmentally friendly efforts in food and beverage product manufacturing operations.

Debra Schug

November 12, 2015

On April 15 of this year, PMMI’s OpX Leadership Network presented the 2014 Sustainability Excellence in Manufacturing Awards (SEMA) during Food Engineering’s Food Automation & Manufacturing Conference in Clearwater Beach, FL.

Food Packaging

Food packaging: The package as narrator

In the future, some food and beverage containers will hold not only their contents, but also a route into the digital world.

Debra Schug

November 9, 2015

Traditionally, brands have viewed packaging as one of the most important opportunities for communicating to their customers. Now, new technology is giving brands the opportunity not to just communicate, but to interact with their customers through “smart” packages enabled by mobile technology.

Tech Update: Refrigeration & Freezing

The shift to natural cooling systems

Big changes are in store as many synthetic refrigerants still widely in use could be phased out next year by the EPA.

Debra Schug

October 20, 2015

Global warming is heavily debated in some circles, but governing bodies worldwide have declared it a reality, regardless of personal belief. For the past 30 years, regulatory agencies around the world have been working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, beginning with the 1987 Montreal Protocol, which was the first globally supported legislation to reduce ozone-depleting substances.

TECH FLASH

Online groceries and food packaging

Brands might have to rethink formats if buying food online gains steam.

Debra Schug

October 14, 2015

In a recent study, half of global consumers polled said they were willing to buy groceries online.

TECH FLASH

Packaging for food startups

New entrepreneurs are entering the food industry in droves, but packaging for those on a tight budget can be challenging.

Debra Schug

October 14, 2015

A Brooklyn company would have been grounded without the help of table-top foil sealing technology.

Food Packaging

Packaging superheroes

Debra Schug

October 14, 2015

At this year’s Institute of Food Technologists’ Food Expo, market intelligence agency Mintel offered a number of expert presentations. Among them was global packaging strategist Viktorija Gnatoka’s session, “Packaging Superheroes.”

Dry Processing

Smart software helps whey and milk powder production

Using an advanced process control solution, Finland’s biggest dairy company boosted the production in two of its plants.

Debra Schug

October 8, 2015

Valio is the biggest milk production company in Finland, receiving 85 percent of the milk produced in the country. It produces whey powder in Lapinlahti, while its Seinäjoki plant produces milk powder.