Subscribe to Food Engineering's RSS Feed

Rockwell Automation: F&B Manufacturers Adopting AI But They Still Need Connected Data

Mon, 09 Nov 2026 10:06:00 -0500

According to Rockwell Automation’s 2026 State of Smart Manufacturing Report, nearly 90% of food and beverage manufacturers are already using AI and machine learning or plan to do so in the future.

Your Freight Data Isn’t Ready for AI. Here’s How to Fix That.

Fri, 06 Nov 2026 11:31:00 -0500

Before you rely on AI to guide freight decisions, connect the underlying records, identify the gaps, and assign responsibility for fixing them.

Mars Celebrates 50 Years of Candy Manufacturing in Waco, Texas

Fri, 06 Nov 2026 09:07:00 -0500

Since 2024, Mars has invested $165 million in the facility, with recent capital projects focused on enhancing energy efficiency and operational excellence.

Good Culture Partners with AMPI to Open Cottage Cheese Facility

Thu, 05 Nov 2026 00:46:00 -0500

Built around Good Culture's standards, the facility is expected to begin operations in the first quarter of 2027 and will expand the brand's cottage cheese supply.

How Can Food Manufacturers Win in AI-Assisted Consumer Search?

Thompsona@bnpmedia.com (Alyse Thompson-Richards) — Thu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Manufacturers aren’t the only subset to benefit from AI. Consumers are increasingly turning to AI agents to compare and purchase products, meaning product descriptions must be optimized for AI.

Readco Kurimoto Debuts RK-110 Safety Hinge

Thu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The RK Safety Hinge Model RK-110 reduces the lid's lifting weight from as heavy as 293 lbs. to as light as 58 lbs., a reduction of up to 80%.

Johnson Controls Debuts FRICK HeatPAC Reciprocating Ammonia Heat Pump

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 08:55:00 -0500

HeatPAC recovers waste heat from ammonia refrigeration systems and transforms it into high-temperature hot water for processes like pasteurization, sanitation and space heating.

Inspection Systems: Don’t Settle for a Single Point of View

Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Inspection tools today include metal detectors, vision systems, X-ray and NIR hyperspectral systems, and for some applications, all of them may be required for a specific food or beverage product. AI/ML promises to extend their capabilities in the coming years.

Pythag Tech Raises $4.25M to Advance AI for Cultivated Meat

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 10:35:00 -0400

The capital will expand Pythag’s biological dataset and machine learning platform, which is designed to optimize cultivated meat production processes that can then be licensed to food companies.

Canadian Government to Invest $50M in Canadian Food Innovation Network

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 10:00:00 -0400

This funding will enable the CFIN to expand its services, helping more food and beverage processors adopt and implement automation, artificial intelligence, digital manufacturing and other advanced technologies.

Treehouse California Almonds Partners with Sitos Group to Turn Almond Byproduct into Biochar

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 09:45:00 -0400

This facility converts almond byproduct into a carbon-rich material that will be returned to the soil to promote soil health and durable carbon sequestration.

NORD DRIVESYSTEMS Launches NXD tupH Sealed Surface Conversion System

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 09:22:00 -0400

The food-safe surface treatment provides aluminum units with properties that make the material comparable to stainless steel when it comes to hygiene and corrosion resistance.

Alfa Laval Debuts MaxiLobe Rotary Lobe Pumps

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 09:08:00 -0400

MaxiLobe and MaxiLobe UltraPure pumps aim to optimize capital investment with a broad flow and pressure envelope.

Niagara Bottling Opens $141M Facility in Kentucky

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 09:48:00 -0400

The new facility includes over 436,000 sq. ft. of advanced manufacturing space, including beverage production and distribution operations.

Fresh Doesn’t Have to Mean Cold: How Aseptic Processing Can Redefine Fresh Dairy in the U.S.

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 09:38:00 -0400

While pasteurization holds an important role in dairy processing, aseptic processing opens the door for more product options.

IDFA Names Matt Herrick as President, CEO

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 10:06:00 -0400

Herrick, who returns to IDFA after serving as president and CEO of the International Bottled Water Association, succeeds Michael Dykes.

Harpak-ULMA Launches Hygienic Robotic Loading Platform

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 00:04:00 -0400

Designed for applications including cheese, fresh meat and snacks, the platform brings robotic loading and packaging equipment into the same Logix programming environment, allowing plant teams to support both with familiar tools.

Emerson Introduces Rosemount 9000 Series Magnetic Flow Meters

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The series’ new features help users improve flow measurement, simplify troubleshooting and keep critical processes running reliably in industries including food and beverage.

PurposeEnergy Opens $40M Food Waste and Wastewater Pre-Treatment Facility

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 09:50:00 -0400

This facility converts wastewater and high-strength organic food waste residuals piped directly from Danone USA's largest U.S. yogurt manufacturing facility, and from other regional food and beverage producers, into renewable biogas, water treated to municipal discharge standards and nutrient-rich soil amendments.

GEA Debuts ProCoater

Mon, 19 Oct 2026 10:04:00 -0400

The GEA ProCoater enables precise, repeatable control of batter application for poultry, pork, fish, cheese, plant-based and hybrid products.

Will Predictive Maintenance Lead to Data Standardization and AI Wins?

Mon, 19 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The pursuit of improved operational margins is difficult, as CPG companies face over 20% in cost losses due to inefficiencies. Many are implementing advanced sensors and contextual data analysis to enhance maintenance and develop AI-driven strategies in manufacturing.

Product Preview: PACK EXPO International Returns to Chicago

Thompsona@bnpmedia.com (Alyse Thompson-Richards) — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

PACK EXPO International 2026 will be held at McCormick Place in Chicago from October 18 to 21. The event will feature over 1.3 million square feet of exhibition space, accommodating 2,600 exhibitors and 48,000 attendees. Here’s a preview of some of the equipment solutions that exhibitors will introduce or showcase at the show.

Executing Food Safety Strategies in Complex Manufacturing Environments

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 11:14:00 -0400

While there are multiple hygienically designed machines and sanitation methods available to the industry, labor shortages and new or changing regulations pose hurdles for food and beverage manufacturers.

Provisur Relaunches Hoegger CookChill System

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 10:44:00 -0400

Provisur’s Hoegger CookChill System helps processors improve process control and traceability while supporting applications for ready-made meals.

Primo Brands Opens Arkansas Bottling Facility

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 15:47:00 -0400

The multi-million-dollar greenfield facility includes one retail high-speed and two large-format production lines, along with logistics and warehouse spaces, to modernize manufacturing for more efficient production.

Tips for Getting a Food Plant Ready for AI

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 08:18:00 -0400

For food and beverage manufacturers, AI readiness begins with gaining visibility into the plant that exists today, identifying the risks and constraints that matter most, and establishing a practical roadmap for modernization.

The State of Food Manufacturing in 2026

Thompsona@bnpmedia.com (Alyse Thompson-Richards) — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Food and beverage manufacturers encounter significant challenges beyond simply delivering products, including tightening regulations, rising costs, and labor shortages. Despite these obstacles, they continue to prioritize investments in food safety, traceability, automation, and sustainability to enhance operational efficiency.

Scott Technology Introduces NexPAL 200HL Compact Palletizer

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

The NexPAL 200HL delivers 35-plus cases per minute across a range of product formats and sizes, while occupying a footprint 25% smaller than most comparable palletizing solutions.

Addium Debuts AQUALAB 5TE

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 15:43:00 -0400

The AQUALAB 5TE is the first instrument to deliver both water activity (aw) and moisture content results in a single 60-second test, eliminating the need for separate instruments and workflows.

How Contract Packager GreenSeed Enhanced Cartoning Operations with R.A. Jones

Thompsona@bnpmedia.com (Alyse Thompson-Richards) — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 13:29:00 -0400

FOOD ENGINEERING recently spoke to Scott Robison, GreenSeed’s senior vice president of sales and business development, about the company’s mission, its partnership with R.A. Jones and its future plans.