Articles by Sharon Spielman

New Plant Products

Multi-tank Ultrasonic Cleaning System from CTG

June 10, 2020

Aquarius Series Multi-tank Ultrasonic Cleaning System combines ultrasonic cleaning with rinsing, drying and other processing steps in a unitized cleaning console to help ensure process integrity.

Food processors take advantage of AI for proactive maintenance

From reactive to preventive to predictive to prescriptive, maintenance in food and beverage processing plants has come a long way

Sharon Spielman

June 8, 2020

Big data and deep learning make artificial intelligence useful to understanding data, making predictions and suggesting recommended actions without explicit human instructions.

FDA publishes findings associated with 2019 leafy greens outbreak

Sharon Spielman

May 21, 2020

In an update released by the FDA, the agency has published the findings of an investigation into the contamination of romaine lettuce implicated in three outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7 during Fall 2019.

Don't overlook safety issues such as slips and falls, PPE and cleaning/sanitizing during the pandemic

Sharon Spielman

May 12, 2020

Food and beverage employees on the front line need to remain safe and healthy to continue to bring the food and beverage supply to the masses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 Coverage

Intertek Alchemy launches program to certify training on Covid-19 health, safety protocols

Sharon Spielman

May 5, 2020

Intertek Alchemy has launched a certification program that confirms a company’s employees have been trained, assessed and verified to meet stringent protocols for sanitation, hygiene, health and more.

Regulatory Watch

FDA issues final guidance during COVID-19 outbreak

Sharon Spielman

May 4, 2020

The FDA has issued final guidance for industry entitled "Temporary Policy Regarding Preventive Controls and FSVP Food Supplier Verification Onsite Audit Requirements During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency."

Regulatory Watch

Proposed rule to increase onion assessment rate

Sharon Spielman

May 4, 2020

The USDA has issued a proposed rule which would increase the assessment rate from $0.10 per 50-pound bag or equivalent of Walla Walla sweet onions handled to $0.15 per 50-pound bag or equivalent of Walla Walla sweet onions handled for the 2020 and subsequent fiscal periods.

USDOL responds to COVID-19 pandemic

Agency offers documents re enforcement, compliance

Sharon Spielman

April 20, 2020

In a press release issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, the agency has taken action to aid the American worker as the nation combats the coronavirus.

Dry Processing

X-ray inspection equipment maximized detection at J&J Snack Foods

Sharon Spielman

April 20, 2020

Because some packages have foil lids, J&J Snack Foods knew this could be a problem for metal detectors. So, the company selected an X-ray system in order to maximize its detection capabilities.

COVID-19

COVID-19 pandemic causes plant shutdowns

U.S. processing plants cease production; Canadian Olymel has re-opened (story updated April 20, 2020)

Sharon Spielman

April 17, 2020

As the coronavirus continues to spread, more food processing facilities have had to close their doors.

Clean Label Packaging Expands to Include Sustainability Considerations

General Mills Sells North American Yogurt Business

How Sensing Technologies Can Help Avoid Food and Water Waste

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Events

June 17, 2025

Refrigerated & Frozen Foods’ State of the Cold Chain

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.

July 10, 2025