Food Engineering

March 2026

ON THE COVER:
► Precision Fermentation: Everything You Need to Know

FEATURES:
► Simplifying the Alphabet Soup of Industrial Networks
► Modernization Investments Improve Operator Safety
► Automating Reverse Packaging: A True Food Processing Challenge

Scientist working with a bioreactor for cell culture.

Precision Fermentation: Everything You Need to Know

Through precision fermentation, engineered microbial “cell factories” can generate specific proteins that can serve as next-generation food ingredients.

Manish Shrivastava

March 17, 2026

Fermentation has evolved into precision fermentation, utilizing biotechnology to engineer microorganisms that produce high-value food ingredients. These "cell factories" create proteins and compounds, enhancing quality and reducing environmental impact.

Manufacturing line operator placing bread in crates. She is surrounded by empty crates.

Staff Safety

Modernization Investments Improve Operator Safety

Manufacturers are improving operator safety through third-party services, such as continuous training from OEMs, risk assessments and new production line approaches from consultants. In addition, digital training at the machine level is increasing operator safety.

Grant Gerke

March 31, 2026

Operator safety is becoming a critical lever for performance in food and beverage manufacturing. As workforce challenges intensify, processors are investing in automation, advanced HMI design and safer equipment to improve both retention and productivity.

Automation

Simplifying the Alphabet Soup of Industrial Networks

Today’s open-standard industrial networking has come a long way from all the proprietary systems of the past, reducing costs and setup time.

Wayne Labs

March 12, 2026

It used to be that if you used one particular vendor’s automation products or sensors, you were locked in forever. With today’s open standards-based networks, users are no longer locked in and can shop around for sensors, industrial PCs, PLCs and industrial network devices.

Blue conveyor belt carrying raw ground beef patties.

Waste Reduction

How Food Manufacturers Can Prevent Conveyor Carryback

Carryback presents not only a sanitation concern — it also leads to product loss and maintenance challenges. Here are some strategies for recovering product and keeping conveyors running smoothly.

Ryan Jackson

March 3, 2026

Conveyor carryback is a serious issue in food processing facilities that can disrupt operations if not managed. Many facilities lack effective strategies to handle carryback, risking unscheduled downtime. Operators should implement preventative maintenance measures to minimize its impact.

How Can Data Integration Support AI Adoption in CPG Manufacturing?

Data silos and poor data quality continue to impact AI adoption in CPG manufacturing, recent research from Veev shows, but continuing integration and unification is helping.

Alyse Thompson-Richards

March 2, 2026

AI is revolutionizing manufacturing with applications in predictive analytics and product development. Despite challenges like data silos and integration, progress is being made towards agentic AI. Discover how companies are adapting and what the future may hold.

Automation/Robotics

Automating Reverse Packaging: A True Food Processing Challenge

Shane Daly

Andrew Fowler

February 6, 2026

Rethinking the operation could unlock more productivity, and the key to successful automated reverse packaging hinges on robot 3D vision system technology.

Regulatory Watch

FDA Requests Information on Gluten Labeling

February 2, 2026

The agency is seeking information on adverse reactions to non-wheat gluten containing grains, as well as on oats for cross-contact with these ingredients.

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.