September 2019 | Food Engineering

The 2019 Top 100 Food & Beverage Companies

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

September 9, 2019

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Food Engineering’s annual ranking of the 100 largest food and beverage companies in the world

Complying with FSMA for pet food manufacturing

Wayne Labs

September 17, 2019

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Bad news first: If you make pet food, have an older facility and have been putting off examining your operation in light of FSMA, rushing to comply with the new food safety rules for animal foods is probably proving to be a challenge.

Yaskawa Motoman's Smart Series robots and controllers

Packaging

How to avoid dreaded packaging downtime

Better design leads to improved uptime

Rose Shilling

September 9, 2019

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Keeping your packaging machines running can be a tricky task, but better design leads to improved uptime.

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

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

Pack Expo

Pack Expo Preview: Tackling common robotics concerns

Sean Riley

September 15, 2019

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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.

Field Reports

Fabricating a specialized processing vessel begins with design and engineering

September 20, 2019

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When constructing its plant in McIntosh, Ala., Tate & Lyle required custom-designed distillation columns, pressure vessels and heat exchangers.

Engineering R&D

Vacuum/microwave drying technology supports food, cannabis

Wayne Labs

September 17, 2019

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EnWave's drying process, which combines vacuum and microwave technologies to dry foods such as blueberries or cheese, has found application in cannabis flowers and hemp.

Editor's Note

Leading food & beverage companies are resilient in the face of change

Although there’s movement in the Top 100 list, most leading companies stay the same

Casey Laughman

September 13, 2019

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The one thing that all of the largest food and beverage companies have in common is that they’ve built an infrastructure that allows them to face challenges to existing businesses while still finding ways to grow.

Manufacturing News

Another look at food loss and waste in the supply chain

Wayne Labs

September 13, 2019

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According to a recent Government Accountability Office report, 40% of America’s food supply goes uneaten.

Regulatory Watch

Final rule for agricultural commodities impacted by trade

Sharon Spielman

September 15, 2019

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Effective July 29, the Commodity Credit Corporation has revised the regulations to implement a Trade Mitigation Program for producers of 2019 agricultural commodities that have been significantly impacted by trade actions of foreign governments resulting in the loss of exports.

Regulatory Watch

Draft guidance for sprout seed industry

Sharon Spielman

September 15, 2019

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When finalized, this draft guidance will make the sprout seed industry aware of the FDA’s serious concern with the continuing outbreaks of foodborne illness associated with the consumption of raw and lightly cooked sprouts and provide their recommendations to firms throughout the production chain of seed for sprouting.

Food Packaging

Packaging protects probiotic yogurt and milk from light exposure damage

Rose Shilling

September 15, 2019

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Certification company Noluma International says its research shows that lights, including fluorescents and LEDs, in stores and other places can degrade milk’s vitamins, nutrients, freshness, quality and taste in less than an hour.

Food Packaging

Compostable jars can be used for cannabis edibles

Rose Shilling

September 15, 2019

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Hansen Packaging is offering a line of compostable jars certified for food uses and made of resins from renewable sources.

Food Packaging

Modified atmosphere packaging for long-haul transport of veggies sans ice

Rose Shilling

September 17, 2019

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Modified atmosphere bulk packaging is shaking up the long-haul transport of fresh broccoli and other vegetables traditionally shipped on ice, the packaging maker says.

People & Industry News

People and Industry News: September 2019

September 14, 2019

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Announcements about new hires, staff promotions, association news, awards, mergers and acquisitions.

Plant Openings

Plant Openings & Expansions: September 2019

September 14, 2019

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Announcements about new food and beverage plant construction projects, plant renovations and plant expansions.

New Plant Products

EPJ-ATEX-4 Explosion-Proof Enclosure

September 20, 2019

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The ATEX/IECEx-rated unit is made of copper-free aluminum and features a choice of 1/2-inch or 3/4-inch NPT hubs.

New Plant Products

Positive-Break Contact Position Switches

September 19, 2019

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Steute's family of positive-break contact position switches are available with a choice of 10 rotatable (4 x 90°) actuator styles.

New Plant Products

Ross Discharge Systems

September 18, 2019

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The discharge systems with mechanisms are made to fit almost any high-viscosity application and increase efficiency following the mixing process.

New Plant Products

Transmitter for Fixed Systems

September 17, 2019

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The CI 21 fixed transmitter has a charge carrier injection sensor that is a progressive development to improve upon current ammonia refrigeration detection methods.