August 2020 | Food Engineering

Pandemic is changing layout and design of food plants

July 20, 2020

Processors and builders trying to slow the spread of COVID-19 and prepare for future potential contagions are rethinking many aspects of plant design.

Dust explosions: Manage risk, save lives and protect your brand

Proper education, training and building/equipment design can head off a horrific deflagration

Wayne Labs

July 27, 2020

Prevent dust explosions with proper education, training and building/equipment design.

Food Safety

How to manage food labels to ensure allergens are clearly noted on any product

Use of the wrong package or label is one of the most common causes of allergen recalls

Richard F. Stier

July 29, 2020

One of the most common causes of allergen recalls is the use of the wrong package or wrong label on a container. It is imperative that food processors make sure that the correct label is placed on each and every product, especially for foods with allergens.

Engineering R&D

Supply chain solution includes sensors, digital visibility platform, cloud access

Cloudleaf puts the supply chain pieces together to connect data silos

Wayne Labs

July 30, 2020

Cloudleaf takes a new approach to unlocking the massive, untapped value hidden within supply chains—transforming them into more powerful, data-driven strategic assets.

Editor's Note

COVID-19 makes it hard to define normal for food and beverage

Upheaval from the COVID-19 pandemic forces new ways of thinking

Casey Laughman

July 28, 2020

We've all had our lives turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic, and that's going to continue for at least a little while longer.

states with meat slaughtering facilities

Manufacturing News

COVID-19 hits meat and beverage hard

Report tracks how plants closures, shortages impact retail shelves and industry's future stability

Wayne Labs

July 29, 2020

A new report details how coronavirus plants closures and supply shortages are impacting retail shelves and the industry's future stability.

Regulatory Watch

FDA outlines steps to help prevent recurring Salmonella outbreaks linked to papayas

Federal regulators issue second letter to papaya growers and others in the industry

Sharon Spielman

July 29, 2020

The FDA has issued a second letter to papaya growers, harvesters, packers, distributors, exporters, importers and retailers outlining a series of steps to help prevent recurring outbreaks of Salmonella linked to papayas.

Diageo Johnnie Walker whiskey paper bottle

Packaging

Paper bottles for drinks: Diageo, PepsiCo pursue plastic-free package

Johnnie Walker whiskey to debut recyclable paper bottles in 2021

Rose Shilling

July 15, 2020

Diageo is introducing a bottle for Johnnie Walker scotch made of 100% paper from sustainably sourced wood, part of the company’s sustainability commitments. The spirits giant, with brands including Smirnoff and Guinness, is part of a consortium with global consumer goods companies, including PepsiCo and Unilever, which will introduce paper bottles for their own brands later this year

Flexible Pouches

2 peanut butter brands try to lessen the mess with new packages

Jif, Skippy add squeeze pouches

Rose Shilling

June 11, 2020

Two peanut butter brands are adding squeeze pouches to their product lineups, using flexible packaging to appeal to people who don't like getting the spread on their hand when they scrape the last bits out of the jar.

Dry Processing

New GEA Pavan cereal line makes pillow-shaped product

Polish cereal maker rests easy with decision to install its seventh GEA Pavan line

Sharon Spielman

July 31, 2020

GEA Pavan installed a seventh production line at Obst S.A. that will allow the company to go to the market with cereal shaped like pillows.

Field Reports

High-speed case packers help pickle maker meet demand for single-serve pouches

SOMIC machines are handling about 2 million pickle packages a week—expected to increase

Rose Shilling

July 9, 2020

OH SNAP! Pickling Co. installs new high-speed, end-of-line packaging machines from SOMIC to handle increasing demand.

People & Industry News

People and Industry News: August 2020

July 30, 2020

People and industry news in food and beverage manufacturing for August 2020.

Plant Openings

Plant Openings and Expansions: August 2020

Wayne Labs

August 4, 2020

Motor and drive combinations are power-matched for 480V high-overload operation through a 20 hp range, with I2T protection from thermal damage provided as a standard in both the motor and the drive components.

Dry Processing Technology

Mac SpaceSaver dust collector

August 3, 2020

Mac SpaceSaver dust collector has a footprint as small as 27" x 38" and uses patented directed airflow fire to thoroughly pulse the cartridges.

Dry Processing Technology

Plastic bearings

August 3, 2020

Self-lubricating plastic bushings or thermoplastic plain bearings have the same dimensions as bronze bushings; are resistant to dust, dirt, water and chemicals; have a high load capacity; and are maintenance free.

Dry Processing Technology

Dust alert sensor

August 3, 2020

The DD-3000 with integrated electronics and a sensing probe uses inductive electrification technology to detect and alert when dust emissions exceed a preset point.

Dry Processing Technology

Edge roller technology conveyor

August 3, 2020

The ERT 250 conveyor has received certification for use in ISO Standard 14644-1 Class 4 rated cleanrooms, making it suitable for cleanroom environments requiring a pallet handling conveyor capable of zoning for accumulation and automation assembly applications.

Dry Processing Technology

Conical dryer

August 3, 2020

BOLZ Cylindro Conical Dryer CCD is used as a vacuum contact dryer and evaporator, as well as a sterilizer or alkalizer.

Dry Processing Technology

Inline checkweigher/X-ray

August 3, 2020

CX35 Combichecker is designed to detect and reject contaminants at a throughput of up to 600 packages per minute, with a weighing range of 3 g to 10 kg.

Dry Processing Technology

Pneumatic receivers for dust collection

July 31, 2020

Systems are custom designed for the application and can include dilute phase pressure, dilute phase vacuum, dense phase vacuum, dense phase pressure and vacuum sequencing modes of operation.

Dry Processing Technology

Open-mouth bagging machine

July 31, 2020

The PTF series automatic open-mouth bagger for dosing of powders can avoid product free falling as the vertical auger automatically fills the bag from bottom to top, keeping dust emissions to a minimum.

Dry Processing Technology

Rotary screw vacuum packages

July 31, 2020

Redesigned ASV, BSV and CSV packages offer capacities from 141 to 554 acfm at 99% vacuum.

Dry Processing Technology

Big bag discharge station

July 31, 2020

The BBU bulk material transfer system has a twin-ring, dust-tight docking station that creates a sealed, dust-free connection linking the bag bottom to the process.

Dry Processing Technology

Level switch for dust collectors

July 31, 2020

DJ level switch provides either high or low point level detection of bulk solids.

Dry Processing Technology

Dust collector with explosion protection

July 31, 2020

Used in food, dairy and other sanitary applications to collect dust and reclaim product, this explosion protection is designed to comply with NFPA 61 explosion suppression and isolation with a rotary airlock dust outlet.

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.