March 2018 | Food Engineering

In the March issue of Food Engineering, find out how food and beverage manufacturers are using minimal processing equipment and techniques to keep up with consumer demand for more natural products.

Gossner Foods cheese processing facility

Cover Story

Technology helps processors produce natural foods and beverages

How processors are using minimal processing equipment and techniques to keep up with changing consumer demands

Debra Schug

March 7, 2018

Many food and beverage producers are using new technology to make products that will satisfy modern consumer tastes, as well as to differentiate their items on the shelf.

How food processors can fight cross-contamination

Processors must have a detailed plan and execute it properly to prevent big problems.

Casey Laughman

February 21, 2018

To prevent cross-contamination in your plant, you have to consider every single step in the chain and do everything you can to ensure that none of the links are weak.

Food Safety

How to upgrade your plant to meet food safety standards

If your plant is more than 30 years old, chances are it needs some work if it’s to meet current regulations and pass muster with food safety and customer audits

Wayne Labs

March 18, 2018

Just like an older home, an aging food plant can have its share of problems. If your roof leaks, or there’s a hole in the wall in which cold air and critters could come through—or your front door loses all its weather stripping—you’d be on it in no time. These situations are even more problematic for an older food and beverage facility, especially where food safety is concerned.

Food Safety

How food processors can build corrective action programs

Processors must have a program to identify deviations and initiate corrective actions or corrections

Richard F. Stier

March 16, 2018

According to FSMA, each processor must have a Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI). This person is responsible for developing the food safety program, ensuring the controls are validated, reviewing records and reassessing the plan.

Innovation

Wearable technology offers food processors information, efficiency

The future food factory could soon be filled with everything from smartwatches to smart gloves and augmented reality

Crystal Lindell

March 25, 2018

The word “wearables” might be most equated with a consumer device like a Fitbit, but many companies are working to expand the sector and put their innovations on the manufacturing plant floor, including smartwatches, smart gloves and smart glasses.

Editor's Note

Processors must overcome fear to drive innovation

Don't let fear of failure stand in the way of innovation

Debra Schug

March 9, 2018

We all want to know what the next big thing will be, but there is the fear we’ll bet on the wrong horse. And that fear is very real when you are betting millions of dollars on product development.

estimated percentage of foodborne illnesses by food category

Manufacturing News

Common causes of foodborne illnesses identified

Report details most common causes of foodborne illnesses

March 11, 2018

The Interagency Safety Analytics Collaboration (IFSAC), a joint effort between the USDA, FDA and CDC, has come out with its findings of the causes of foodborne illnesses in 2013.

Regulatory Watch

FDA updates spice risk

Study shows domestic spice less risky than imported spice

March 14, 2018

FDA updated its 2013 risk profile on pathogens and filth in spices with data demonstrating the prevalence of Salmonella in nine out of 11 types of retail spices in the US was significantly lower than that for shipments of spice at import.

Regulatory Watch

FDA confirms final rule regulating calcium carbonate use

Rule amends color additive regulations

Casey Laughman

March 14, 2018

FDA has confirmed an effective date of Dec. 8, 2017 for the final rule amending color additive regulations to provide for the safe use of calcium carbonate.

Regulatory Watch

FSIS proposes modernization of swine slaughter inspection

New regulations will update standards for establishments that slaughter swine

Casey Laughman

March 11, 2018

The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is proposing amendments to the federal meat inspection regulations to establish a new inspection system for swine.

Food Packaging

Consumer trends impacting e-commerce packaging

Processors must be careful when adapting packaging for e-commerce

Crystal Lindell

March 25, 2018

Repurposing traditional packaging for e-commerce is a risky move, at least according to a new report from rigid packaging provider TricorBraun.

Seafood Packaging

Maxwell Chase’s new packaging extends seafood shelf life

Trays feature next-generation, patent-pending technology

Crystal Lindell

February 3, 2018

The trays feature integrated absorbent technology incorporated into wells at the bottom of trays to absorb excess fluids.

Packaging

Tree Top works with Sonoco to launch clear pouches

See-through applesauce pouches allow parents and children to see it before they squeeze it.

Crystal Lindell

January 21, 2018

The new pouches were created as a response to a greater need for transparency in food packaging, and to address the concern about not being able to see food before consuming it.

Engineering R&D

Rubber Fab develops technology to spot rubber with x-rays

Sanitary gaskets and seals have typically been invisible to X-ray detection systems, but a new range of functional materials makes them opaque

Wayne Labs

March 25, 2018

Rubber Fab has solved another perennial problem—how to detect rubber seal and gasket foreign matter in food using X-ray systems, as X-rays just don’t generally see rubber or fluoropolymer sealing materials.

People & Industry News

People and Industry News: March 2018

March 12, 2018

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

Plant Openings

Plant Openings: March 2018

March 12, 2018

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

New Plant Products

Fogg hot-fill recovery trough

March 22, 2018

Designed for hot-fill applications, the Fogg recovery trough has a built-in sensor that allows managing the temperatures of product in the bowl and filling valve tips when line stops occur.

New Plant Products

Handtmann VF 800 D vacuum filler

March 20, 2018

Developed for dairy processing, the Handtmann VF 800 D vacuum filler holds 3-A Certificate Authorization #3615 for conforming to 3-A Sanitary Standards #2306.

New Plant Products

Sidel Super Combi smart liquid filling system

March 16, 2018

The Sidel Super Combi smart system integrates a preform feeder, blower, labeler, filler/capper and cap feeder with integrated data-driven intelligence.

New Plant Products

Ross VersaMix Model VMC-500 multi-shaft mixer

March 14, 2018

The Ross 500-gal. VersaMix Model VMC-500 multi-shaft mixer features an anchor agitator with helical flights and a screw auger agitator that work in tandem for efficient product turnover and to bring air pockets to the surface; 2 saw-tooth high-speed disperser blades impart shear.

New Plant Products

Unifiller Pro Series depositors

March 12, 2018

Unifiller Pro Series depositors have a large conical hopper and height adjustment for use with a range of pumps and conveyor systems.

New Plant Products

Sealmaster Triathlon washdown conveyor bearing

March 8, 2018

The Regal Beloit Sealmaster Triathlon washdown conveyor mounted ball bearing has a corrosion-resistant design that features high-phosphorus, nickel-plated bearing and outer rings.

New Plant Products

Columbia Machine HL9200 inline palletizer

March 6, 2018

The Columbia Machine HL9200 high-speed inline palletizer incorporates variable lane position technology with soft-turn case handling and 2 configurable layer tables.

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.

On Demand Driven by climate goals, business risk, client interest, and resilience considerations, food and beverage companies are increasingly turning their attention to decarbonizing their production processes.