Crystal Lindell

Crystal Lindell has more than 10 years of journalism experience, and worked primarily at daily newspapers before joining BNP Media 2010. Before joining Food Engineering as the Managing Editor, she was the managing editor of a sister publication, Candy Industry Magazine, where she learned first-hand the joys of eating chocolate for breakfast. Lindell holds a master’s degree in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois – Springfield and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Western Illinois University.

USDA Recall

Koch recalls beef contaminated with plastic

Almost 120,000 pounds of beef rib-shaped patties recalled after being possibly contaminated with thin, blue plastic pieces.

Crystal Lindell

April 13, 2018

Koch Foods, Inc., a Fairfield, Ohio establishment, is recalling approximately 119,480 pounds of beef rib-shaped patty products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically thin blue plastic pieces, FSIS says.

Conagra issues nationwide recall of Salisbury Steak possibly contaminated with bone

About 135,000 pounds of Salisbury steak products recalled after consumer complaints led to the discovery of the problem.

Crystal Lindell

April 13, 2018

The problem was discovered after the firm received several consumer complaints and three reports of minor oral injury associated with consumption of this product.

PET

Unilever working on converting PET back to virgin grade material

Company working to to pioneer breakthrough food packaging technology in partnership with Ioniqa & Indorama Ventures.

Crystal Lindell

April 5, 2018

Unilever has announced a partnership with start-up company Ioniqa and the largest global producer of PET resin Indorama Ventures to pioneer a new technology that converts PET waste back into virgin grade material for use in food packaging.

N.Y. raw milk cheese company ordered to stop sales for food safety violations

Vulto Creamery source of outbreak that sickened 8 people, killing 2

Crystal Lindell

April 2, 2018

A New York raw milk cheese company, whose products were linked to a multi-state outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes (L. mono), has been ordered by a federal court not to manufacture its ready-to-eat aged soft, semi-soft and hard cheeses until it complies with food safety regulations.

Starbucks launches $10M effort to find better cups

Coffee makers partners with Closed Loop Partners to develop recyclable, compostable cup solution, with plans to make it open source.

Crystal Lindell

April 1, 2018

Starbucks wants to bring a fully recyclable and compostable cup to the market within the next three years.

Training

When human behavior clashes with food safety goals

Yaohua Feng, of Purdue Food Science, talks about why companies need to account for irrational human behavior when implementing food safety procedures.

Crystal Lindell

March 29, 2018

When Yaohua Feng, an assistant professor at Purdue Food Science, observes home cooks, 64 percent of them don’t wash their hands before making a meal — and that’s when they know they’re being watched. And unfortunately, employees at processing facilities aren’t always much better.

Recall

California Jerky Factory, Inc. recalls beef jerky

USDA says company may have under processed product.

Crystal Lindell

March 25, 2018

California Jerky Factory, Inc., a South El Monte, Calif. establishment, is recalling approximately 1,238 pounds of beef jerky products due to a processing deviation that may have led to under processing of products, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced.

PepsiCo, Nature Conservancy announce new water conservation projects

Collaboration tackles water scarcity and boosts local communities in Southwestern States.

Crystal Lindell

March 25, 2018

To mark World Water Day last week, PepsiCo and The Nature Conservancy announced new projects to conserve and replenish water in the Southwestern United States, marking the next stage of their multi-year national collaboration.

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.