Sharon Spielman

Pest Control

A good pest control program can help protect the bottom line

April 17, 2019

At food and beverage processing facilities, the presence of pests can threaten the health and safety of products, customers and employees. A pest problem also can affect a plant's reputation and its bottom line.

New Salmon Council member

StarKist joins the National Fisheries Institute’s Salmon Council

Sharon Spielman

April 3, 2019

The council’s newest member will help with the mission to educate the public about the health benefits of salmon.

Regulatory Watch

Final rule amends national list of allowed, prohibited substances

Sharon Spielman

March 18, 2019

The USDA's National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances (National List) for organic regulations has been amended to implement recommendations submitted to the secretary of agriculture by the NOSB.

Diamond of California Appoints Craig Hope as CEO

Hope aims to lead the charge in accelerating growth, innovation

Sharon Spielman

March 12, 2019

Diamond of California, a producer of specialty nuts in Stockton, Calif., announces Craig Hope as CEO.

Pet Food

Consumer demand drives rapid growth in pet food market

Pet food processing and packaging industry continues to grow

Sharon Spielman

February 27, 2019

As pet ownership increases, companies involved with pet food processing and packaging can reap the benefits if they keep an eye on the pets' owners and the trends that are driving the pet food industry.

FDA reinstates registration for Working Cow Homemade Inc.

Sharon Spielman

February 20, 2019

The FDA has lifted the suspension and reinstated the facility registration for Working Cow Homemade, Inc. The decision follows proposed changes and commitments by the firm, along with FDA site inspection and verification.

steam generator installed at Setton Pistachio

Dry Processing Technology

Steam quality, blowdown problems solved with new generator boiler system

Sharon Spielman

February 15, 2019

Pistachio grower and producer Setton Farms wanted to expand one of its processing plants while maintaining its efficiency/quality balance.

Tech Update

Using data to make the most of automation, IIoT and AI on the manufacturing line

Sharon Spielman

February 13, 2019

Motors and drives run the food and packaging production lines that processors rely on, and they are a major consideration of any automation strategy.

Regulatory Watch

Amending the definition of the term "biological product"

Sharon Spielman

February 12, 2019

The FDA has proposed to amend its regulation that defines "biological product" to incorporate changes made by the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act of 2009 (BPCI Act), and to provide its interpretation of the statutory terms "protein" and "chemically synthesized polypeptide."

Regulatory Watch

FDA withdraws proposed rule on labeling for approved drugs, biological products

Sharon Spielman

February 12, 2019

The FDA has announced the withdrawal of the proposed rule on "Supplemental Applications Proposing Labeling Changes for Approved Drugs and Biological Products," published in the Federal Register of Nov. 13, 2013.