Change is constant, and North American food manufacturers are determined to make sure that the performance in their plants is better tomorrow than it is today. That is one of the key findings in this year's State of Food Manufacturing Study, a survey measuring the pulse of the industry, first undertaken by Food Engineering in 1980. The concern with continuous improvement is virtually universal, based on responses to a new question on how survey respondents' organizations are addressing this need. Given a list of eight options, none of the 186 food professionals who answered the question selected, "No program in place."
Manufacturing is as much about people as machinery, and when both groups represent different cultures and languages, harmonious production can be a challenge. In the short history of Nong Shim Foods Inc., multi-cultural machines and humans are beginning to mesh.
Flowmeter choices abound in the food and beverage industry. Magmeters, which some consider the de facto standard, face competition from Coriolis meters. Vortex, differential pressure and positive displacement flowmeters all have their place, depending on the application.
RPC Bebo UK launched a new range of convenient food packs manufactured from biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA), a corn-based polymer made by US-based NatureWorks LLC.
Innovation abounds in the beverage packaging sector where competition among brands in all beverage categories is so fierce that packaging must play a major marketing and selling role. This was evident in the 2006 DuPont Awards Competition where an aseptic transparent stand-up pouch and a beer can with a thermal barrier shared the top Diamond Award.
Besides focusing on process engineering, food engineers need to become product engineers who interact with other scientific disciplines to better understand food at the nano- and micro-scale level in order to fabricate more nutritious, flavorful and transportable products, argues José Miguel Aguilera.
In a switch to PET from glass offering "choosy Moms" a portable healthy snack, the J.M. Smucker Co. introduced its creamy Jif To Go peanut butter spread in 2.25-oz., single-serve cups for snacking on the go. Serving suggestions include using the portion-controlled peanut butter as a healthy dip for such items as apples and pretzels.
Amcor PET Packaging introduced a family of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers called the QuadPlus and QuadMax3 that are said to offer improved strength for hot-fill beverage applications.
Choosing to build a new plant rather than renovate or expand an existing one is based on any number of necessary functions. The existing facility may be outdated and operating costs excessive. Or, a new location may offer advantages such as reduced labor costs, lower taxes, improved access to markets or simply the room to grow. Whatever the reason, it behooves operations and plant managers to plan carefully and understand where they are going and why. Today, a commitment to build a new plant is a commitment to sanitary design.
Innovation may be the most overused descriptor in the food industry today, but unlike the buzzwords that have come, gone and unfortunately remain, it still has real meaning. While phrases like paradigm shift or bandwidth make many people roll their eyes, the act of innovation truly affects profit and loss.
In collaboration with label producer Smyth Companies, Outlast Technologies, Inc. has developed a new temperature-buffering label called the Cold Wrap. This new label deflects heat from consumers' hands to keep beverages colder, longer.
As food processors offer more healthy fare, Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc., Coral Gables, FL, introduced its line of microwavable vegetables as a convenient way to serve steamed vegetables. The vegetables are packed in 5-oz. and 6-oz. single-serving trays as well as a 12-oz. family-size microwavable tray from Cryovac Food Packaging, Duncan, SC, that allows the vegetables to be steam cooked.
Whether it's food or beverage manufacturing, production systems are under greater pressure from the supply chain to perform predictably. The lead time to get finished goods ready for shipment is being shortened as companies reduce storage of finished goods, push inventory further into the supply chain and try to reduce inventory risk and maximize working capital. The challenge, however, is that production lines are not always capable of producing to the new management objectives.
After determining that safety, ease of use, and convenient storage were the top priorities for its customers, privately owned food service company Basic American Foods asked York, PA-based Graham Packaging Company to design an innovative plastic can for its WHIPP brand of potato granules, an instant mashed potato product for high-volume food service operations.
When fresh sausage and bratwurst manufacturer Johnsonville Sausage was looking for an X-ray inspection system for its wrapped trays of bratwurst, it developed a plan for an in-house, side-by-side comparison between several different pieces of equipment. The goal was to find an inspection system that would allow operators to know which, if any, bratwurst of the five in a package had a contaminant, providing an opportunity to pull the rejected product out, repack the tray and re-inspect without affecting production.
With more than 55 production facilities on six continents, McCain Foods in Florenceville, NB, is the world's largest manufacturer of frozen French fries, selling its products in more than 110 countries. Production quantities are measured in tons per hour, yet quality is paramount.
National Uniformity debate goes on Consumer advocates and a recently retired FDA official lined up against the proposed National Uniformity for Food Act at a late July Congressional hearing. The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions heard from former FDA employee William Hubbard, who praised the current federal-state partnership that he said effectively monitors the safety of the nation's food supply.
Wireless technology, the networking backbone in homes and offices around the world, is about to see widespread adoption where it will have a profound impact: on the plant floor and out in the field. The wireless market was $325.7 million in 2005 and is forecasted to be more than $1 billion in 2010, according to ARC Advisory Group.
This mobile decontamination unit equipped with high-output UVC technology from Steril-Aire decontaminates surfaces infested with mold, viruses and bacteria.
Koch Membrane Systems' Winefilter WF-3 Crossflow Microfiltration System for small- to medium-sized wineries is designed to provide a single filtration step from fermentation to bottle.
Metal detector performance verification samples and kits from Mettler-Toledo Safeline allow plant personnel to test the performance of any manufacturer's metal detectors to ensure that product quality standards are being met.
General Mills announced a new organizational structure for its senior management team. Ken Powell was elected president and chief operating officer and became a member of the company's board of directors. Jim Lawrence was named vice chairman of General Mills and continues to serve as the company's chief financial officer.
For applications that require increased visibility of push button stations for e-stop applications, Allen-Bradley offers 800H push button plastic enclosures.
Mettler Toldeo's S20FB pH Kit for the food and beverage industry combines the S20 SevenEasy pH meter, InLab 425 pH electrode and all necessary cables and buffer standards for running samples.
Risco USA's RS 303 and RS 503 advanced vacuum fillers with in-line grinding options are controlled by a multi-function microprocessor that can be loaded with up to 100 different programs that provide precise control of portion weights and product flow regardless of production requirements.
The activated peroxygen formula in SaniDate 5.0 liquid sanitizer for the post-harvest market is labeled for a range of diseases including human health pathogens such as E. coli, Listeria and Salmonella, says BioSafe, the manufacturer.
The ARDE Production Model D-6000 Dispershear is designed to meter a controlled feed of solid powders into a measured flow rate of liquid to produce a completely mixed dispersion with a residence time of 0.2 seconds.
Unlike fixed-frame unloaders that require headroom above the top of the frame to clear the load-backrest of a forklift, the Split Frame Unloader from Flexicon allows the upper frame to be forklifted onto the plant floor, loaded with a bulk bag and then forklifted back onto the subframe within several inches/centimeters of the ceiling.
The Triple-Shaft Mixer from Charles Ross & Son is now available with an explosion-proof control panel. The model is completely enclosed and all components are shrouded for safety.
ABC Model 136 tape sealer is 6 ft. long and provides reliable 25-case-per-minute operation. The heavy-gauge frame is made of stainless steel with solid, box-style construction, welded and bolted for maximum strength.
Bimetalix's Thin Wall Stainless SSHE Cylinder is for food manufacturers requiring smaller wall thickness for improved heat transfer without a drop in internal pressure rating.
A versatile plastic spiral belt for conveying a range of small products, the PR620SPS from KVP offers radius strength over 1.5 times greater than conventional spiral belts, even at narrower widths.
Aquionics says recent research comparing photoreactivation of E. coli DNA shows that the DNA underwent extensive repair following exposure to UV from low-pressure UV lamps.
Danfoss's higher power platform for VLT 5000 Series, VLT 4000 Series, VLT 6000 HVAC Series and VLT 8000 AQUA Series variable frequency drives replaces the three largest high-power units in the 380 to 500 VAC range in each series and adds an additional higher horsepower unit to the program.
Groen Vortex connectionless electric steamers provide energy savings for small- and medium-sized operations with demands for bulk steaming applications.
From fresh foods to frozen, HBD/Thermoid offers PVC and rubber conveyor belting products including SaniWhite, Sani-Brite, Korowhite, Ridgetop, Griptop, Butyl-Hot & Cold, Teflon, PVC Nylock, Gripper and more.
AirOcare says its air purification technology eliminates populations of Listeria on fruits and vegetables in storage facilities, processing and shipping containers.
Emerson Process Management's model 2400S transmitter with next generation MVD technology is an integral transmitter for the MicroMotion Elite coriolis meter.
Gojo's Hygiene Management System, a complete hand hygiene program for the food processing industry, includes easy-to-understand labeling that tells employees when and how to use Gojo's E-rated products.
Designed for high-speed operation of up to 128 1-lb. portions per minute, the Risco RS915 ground meat system includes the Risco RS71 in-line grinder, the RS503 vacuum stuffer and the RS915 portioner.
Chevron's FM and Texaco Cygnus, greases developed for the food processing and canning industries, are available in aluminum complex and calcium sulfonate formulations.
Models SP-64 and SP-160 are used over vertical form fill seal machines and feature a long-reach positive shut off spout with an adjustable blow-off feature to maintain a clean seal zone and accurate fills, says Hinds Bock, the manufacturer.
Designed for measuring conductive liquids with no pressure loss, Omega's FMG600 Series electromagnetic flowmeters have no moving parts and a PTFE lining.
Flavorseal cooking bags from Carroll Manufacturing have angle-sealed handles and are suitable for cook-chill applications such as soups and sauces, as well as bone-in meat products and for sauce with meat products.
Wire Belt's Compact Grid conveyor belt is designed to handle smaller, more delicate products, while providing a lighter-weight, lower-mass, open-mesh belt design that is suitable for high-speed cooling and drying operations.
Columbia/Okura robotic palletizers handle both cases and pails without changing tooling. Equipped with a versatile end effector, the robot uses a flexible vacuum-grip system to adapt to a variety of pail and case sizes.
Kaeser Compressors' booster compressors provide pressures to 650 psig and flows to 685 cfm fad. The company says the compressors boost existing plant pressure while eliminating the need for separate high-pressure systems.
The ball screw drive AGK unit from Rexroth uses a high-performance ball screw in a rigid aluminum housing to drive motion at speeds up to 96m/min., even in extreme environments.
NSF International approved and registered Micro-90 concentrated cleaning solution, Surface-Cleanse/930 concentrated neutral cleaner and Zymit low-foam enzyme cleaner from International Products Corp. for use as A1, general cleaners on all surfaces and equipment in and around food processing areas.
Sureshield with Ultra-Fresh is a metal coating that suppresses the growth of stain- and odor-causing bacteria, molds, mildews and fungi, according to Horizon Business Group, the marketer.
The EPA approved AgION Technologies' Silver Antimicrobial Type AK for food and water contact. The 5% reservoir of silver found in Type AK in combination with a permissible loading of 5% is the strongest concentration of silver available on the US market for use in food and water contact applications, says the company.
Balston SS Industrial Environment Coalescing Filters for compressed air and gas perform in harsh environments and aggressive conditions, says Parker Hannifin, the manufacturer.
Ternary, an all-in-one linear system from alpha, merges mechanics with intelligence, integrating electronics, precision mechanics, feedback, control and software.
Assurance GDS for Salmonella is the first commercially available DNA-based detection method to provide Salmonella results in as few as 20 hours, says BioControl Systems, the manufacturer.
The SDC Series of compact shaker-style dust collectors capture and filter airborne pollutants in intermittent-duty processes while occupying minimal floor space.
Campbell Wrapper's row distribution system automatically distributes up to several thousand products per minute to various individual wrapping machines.
A rapid, sensitive fluorimetric method for assessing alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in milk and milk products, Advanced Instruments' Fluorophos Test System received approval as a full international standard method by the International Dairy Federation, the International Standards Organization, and CEN European Standards Organization.