Food Engineering

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.

Bragg Debuts Ready-to-Drink Apple Cider Vinegar Beverages

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 15:29:00 -0400

Available in Strawberry Watermelon, Mango Pineapple, Citrus Ginger and Dragon Fruit Berry flavors, each can contains one tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar.

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

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.

Pilgrim’s Pride to Review JBS Proposal to Acquire Remaining Shares

Mon, 12 Oct 2026 10:10:00 -0400

JBS, which acquired a majority stake of Pilgrim's Pride in 2009, currently holds 82% of its common stock.

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

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 13:29:00 -0400

FOOD ENGINEERING recently spoke to Scott Robinson, 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.

Reser’s Fine Foods Completes Energy Efficiency Projects at Oregon Facility

Thu, 08 Oct 2026 09:42:00 -0400

The upgraded refrigeration and compressed air systems are expected to reduce the facility's overall electricity use by more than 20%, or nearly 1.9 million kilowatt-hours annually.

HHS, FDA Submit Proposed Definition of ‘Ultra-Processed Foods’ for Final Review

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

The U.S. HHS and FDA have submitted a proposed definition of "ultra-processed foods" to the OMB for review. Developed with feedback from various stakeholders, the definition aims to create federal uniformity, but it has not yet been published in the Federal Register.

Cargill Expands Renewable Electricity Portfolio in Oklahoma, South Dakota

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 11:26:00 -0400

Cargill has entered into a virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) for 87 megawatts (MW) of wind power from the Sweetland Wind project in South Dakota. The company also previously executed a long-term VPPA for the full output of the 85 MW Choctaw Fields Solar project in Oklahoma.

AI, Big Data and Sustainability Top the List of Industry Concerns

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 23:59:00 -0400

In addition to artificial intelligence (AI), big data and sustainability concerns, food industry professionals taking part in PMMI's research emphasized health-driven product shifts, ongoing workforce constraints and heightened sanitation scrutiny.

Generic ERP Lessons Food Manufacturers Should Apply to AI Solutions

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Just like a generic ERP in food manufacturing will never function as efficiently as a purpose-built ERP, the same holds true for AI.

Dahmes Introduces VacuCoil High Pressure Preheater for Spray Drying

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 09:02:00 -0400

The VacuCoil preheater uses condensing steam held under vacuum to hold a set surface temperature, commonly around 160°F.

SLIPNOT Debuts Sweepable Non-Slip Flooring for Dry Processing Facilities

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 08:45:00 -0400

The new flooring solution transforms processing areas, staircases and walkways into safe, hygienic non-slip surfaces in facilities for dry food, baking, dairy powder and pharmaceutical manufacturing, as well as plastics and wood processing.

How Are Food Manufacturers Investing in Inspection and Detection Technologies?

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

New research from FlexXray explores how food manufacturers detect and prevent contamination from foreign materials, as well as their future investments in inspection technologies.

Don’t Scrap Your Equipment. Connect it Instead

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Plants often have aging equipment that works fine, and it may have sensors, but in many cases that data never connects with data from other siloed processes. Why not connect all the data together with intelligent networks and use AI to get a better understanding of the whole process?

Kerry Opens Coffee Extraction Facility in Pennsylvania

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 09:36:00 -0400

The site is dedicated to developing natural coffee taste and flavor profiles using advanced extraction and concentration technologies to create premium coffee solutions.

How Reusable Plastic Packaging Supports the Future of Automation in Food Manufacturing

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

As automation has become increasingly sophisticated, reusable plastic packaging has evolved alongside it. Rather than viewing packaging simply as something that transports products from point A to point B, manufacturers can view it as an integral part of the automated system.

Rich Products Redesigns Customer Innovation Center

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 10:13:00 -0400

With a $3.2 million investment, Rich’s transformed an underutilized space into a modern, digitally powered destination designed to create greater value for customers.

Hormel Foods to Acquire Brakebush Brothers

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 09:48:00 -0400

Hormel Foods says the acquisition advances its strategy of investing in growing protein categories and is expected to strengthen its foodservice platform.

Before the Recall: How Spectroscopy Can Help Food Producers Find Problems Faster

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

A spectrometer watching a conveyor or checking a stainless steel surface between shifts may sound futuristic, but research suggests we may not be as far from that factory as we think.

6 Questions: Before You Buy Food Processing Equipment

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Some equipment costs less to buy. Some equipment costs less to own. Learn how to tell the difference – before you buy.

Food Manufacturing’s Growth Calls for Integrated Project Delivery

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Manufacturers are expanding capacity and modernizing operations amid growing project complexity, tighter schedules and increasing technology demands. Integrated project delivery brings engineering, procurement and construction teams together from the outset, helping improve collaboration, reduce risk and create greater certainty around cost, schedule and facility performance.

How Pearl Crop Turned to Rented Robots to Combat Seasonal Labor Concerns

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 12:18:00 -0400

For Pearl Crop, a processor of nuts and seeds based in California, seasonal labor pressures prompted a search for a more flexible automation strategy, ultimately leading the company to explore a robot rental model rather than a traditional capital equipment purchase.

General Mills Names Dana McNabb as CEO

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:03:00 -0400

McNabb will succeed Jeff Harmening, who will become executive chair of the board of directors.

Is Your Manufacturing Facility Prepared for Future Food Safety Risks?

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Whatever the manufacturing model, the fundamental principle remains the same: food safety cannot be designed solely around yesterday's problems. The facilities best prepared for the next pathogen will be the ones designed to recognize change, reassess risk and adapt before that risk becomes a recall.

FPA Opens 2027 Flexible Packaging Achievement Awards Competition

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 19:00:00 -0400

The annual awards recognize outstanding innovation in flexible packaging.