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Fabulous Food Plants

Pod Pack’s ERP system keeps the coffee moving

Company turns to DELMIAworks to help meet demand

December 1, 2020

Pod Pack, a Baton Rouge, La.-based coffee processor, turned to the DELMIAworks ERP system to help keep up with demand. The new system has allowed to company to adapt quickly to changing conditions and be prepared for future growth.

Link environmental, process controls to keep surroundings just right for quality

Out-of-control temperature, humidity or airflow can wreck a variety of products

Rose Shilling

December 1, 2020

When moisture levels in the air, room temperature or airflow aren’t consistent in a food manufacturing plant, products can suffer.

Top 10 vulnerable zones for pests in food distribution centers, warehouses

Patricia Hottel BCE

November 30, 2020

Here is a list of some of the 10 most common areas of pest activity by product type, structural design and practices, which you can use to prioritize areas for regular inspection as part of a pest prevention program.

Food Automation & Manufacturing Conference (FA&M)

FA&M Recap

The 2020 Food Automation & Manufacturing Conference

Virtual conference provides food and beverage processors with insights from industry experts

November 30, 2020

With in-person gatherings still not possible, the 2020 Food Automation & Manufacturing conference shifted to a virtual platform for the first time. Although it was a different format, one thing stayed the same: A number of industry experts provided attendees with valuable insights on topics ranging from successful project management to the engineering challenges of alternative meat, and almost everything in between.

Inspection

Evaluating dynamic checkweighers for use in dairy washdown environments

The dairy industry sets strict hygiene requirements to protect consumers from harmful bacteria, diseases or allergens

November 23, 2020

Microbiological contamination in milk and dairy products such as cheese, yogurt or ice cream can have devastating consequences for consumers. Aggressive washdown routines using caustic detergents and high-pressure rinsing are the methods of choice for risk control in production environments in dairies and milk-processing plants worldwide.

COVID-19 Safety

The importance of a COVID-19 safety officer

NSF International develops training series for implementing a COVID-19 point person

James Morris

November 16, 2020

Winter is on our doorstep and we need to prepare for a long battle against COVID-19 while keeping businesses afloat and people safe. The imposition of lockdown measures may be required in areas experiencing high positivity rates and where health professionals predict hospitalizations will exceed capacity. However, there is a middle path where concerns over health and safety gain priority in concert with keeping businesses open.

Track and trace

Creating a track-and-trace system for the rest of us

Researchers at the University of Tokyo and French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) propose a system design that even small producer stakeholders can use—FE interviews the lead researcher

Wayne Labs

November 13, 2020

Even in the U.S. an exhaustive track and trace system, which is available to all participants—including small producers and farms—and additional members in the supply chain, right up to the consumer, has been elusive. The FDA, in its recent proposed rule, "Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods," is a good starting point in defining what kind of data needs to be kept and where new data should originate, but it doesn't get to specifics in implementation.

Packaging

How packaging can inform and support plant-based meat consumers

Todd Meussling

November 12, 2020

As the plant-based meat category continues to grow, brands must understand that packaging is an important factor in keeping people coming back for more. Choosing flexible packaging can help align products with consumer preferences and brand initiatives.

Coronavirus coverage

Use, care and maintenance of cleaning tools during the pandemic and beyond

Amit Kheradia

November 10, 2020

Advice for proper use, care and maintenance of food processing cleaning tools amid the pandemic.

Chemical contaminants

Solving the cadmium in chocolate conundrum

Unfortunately for chocolate lovers, the richer the chocolate, often the heavier dose of cadmium—and a difficult challenge for farmers to decrease naturally occurring Cd levels

Wayne Labs

November 9, 2020

We all know that too much cadmium (Cd) in our bodies is just as dangerous as lead. Both are heavy metals, and while specific limits have been put on lead exposure (both in the air and orally), cadmium isn’t quite as well documented—at least in the U.S. The EPA places maximum allowable levels of cadmium in our drinking water as 5 parts per billion (ppb) with a goal of 0 ppb, but FDA has not set limits on safe levels of cadmium in food except to say that toddlers and infants should have no exposure at all.