Food Engineering articles from February 2007

Food Engineering archives from February 2007

Promoting the profession.(EDITOR'S NOTE)(Editorial)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... I have a confession to make. When I was a teenager, I knew absolutely nothing about the engineering profession. At age 14, I remember my math teacher telling the class that her father was an engineer. Believe it or not, I actually thought her...

Calendar.(food industry conferences and exhibition)(Calendar)
February 1, 2007... FEBRUARY 2007 26-28 27th Annual RFA Conference & Exhibition, The Woodlands, TX; Refrigerated Foods Association; 770-452-0660; www.refrigerated foods.org/conference/index.html. 27-March 1 Packaging Strategies, St. Petersburg, FL;...

Pilgrim's Pride.(PLANT OPENINGS & EXPANSIONS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Pilgrim's Pride is building a feed mill in Natchitoches, LA. The new mill features 35,000-bushel-per-hour corn receiving, 280-ton-per-hour ingredient receiving, one current and one future 70-ton-per-hour grinding system and an 8-ton batching...

Protient Inc.(PLANT OPENINGS & EXPANSIONS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Protient Inc., a division of ABF Ingredients, completed a $4.5 million expansion at its Norfolk, NE, plant. The new capacity was added so the company can manufacture milk protein isolates.

Marich Confectionery.(PLANT OPENINGS & EXPANSIONS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Marich Confectionery recently added 20,000 ft. of storage space to its' Hollister, CA-based headquarters. The facility, which includes manufacturing, packaging, warehousing and administrative offices, now totals 75,000 sq. ft.

McCain Foods.(PLANT OPENINGS & EXPANSIONS)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... McCain Foods plans to rebuild its potato processing facility in Florenceville, NB. The current two-line operation will be transitioned to a single line early this year, while a new, state-of-the-art processing line is built.

Where's my supply chain?(MANUFACTURING NEWS)
February 1, 2007... In an Aberdeen study, "Supply Chain Visibility Roadmap Report" executives interviewed from 524 companies identified improving user visibility to order, inventory and shipment status as a top priority. Yet 79% of large enterprises (over $1...

Cloned food in question.(REGULATORY WATCH)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Congress may soon need to clarify FDA's year-end finding that could clear the way for food manufacturers to use meat and milk from cloned animals. FDA's Draft Risk Assessment finds that meat and milk from clones of adult cattle, pigs and goats...

NSF.(INDUSTRY & PEOPLE)(NSF. International)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Kristen Holt was promoted to senior vice president of NSF's Food Safety and Dietary Supplement Programs and president of NSF's management system registrations worldwide. In addition, Michael P. Walsh was named vice president and chief financial...

Gonnella Baking Co.(INDUSTRY & PEOPLE)
February 1, 2007... Nicholas Marcucci was named president of Gonnella Baking Co. He has held several positions with the company and most recently served as corporate secretary.

PepsiCo Inc. is buying Naked Juice Co., which has annual sales of more than $150 million.(INDUSTRY & PEOPLE)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... PepsiCo Inc, is buying Naked Juice Co., which has annual sales of more than $150 million with nationwide distribution in grocery, club and health food stores.

American Egg Board.(INDUSTRY & PEOPLE)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Joanne Ivy was elected president and CEO of the American Egg Board. She served on the staff of AEB for 20 years and most recently was the senior vice president. She will be the second CEO of the AEB, as Louis Raffel, who is retiring, held the...

Look who's gone organic: sometimes, what a container doesn't say about the product is more intriguing than what it does say.(FOOD PACKAGING)
February 1, 2007... Exhibitors at the Green Valley Brewery booth at last spring's All Things Organic trade show created a buzz for their Wild Hop organic beer by whispering, "We have a distribution deal with Anheuser-Busch." As it turns out, the deal wasn't...

Frozen novelties with a retro look.(FOOD PACKAGING)(Nutritel Food Technologies)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Europeans of a certain age can date themselves by waxing nostalgic about the quadrahedron pyramid that ushered in Tetra Pak as a major player in aseptically packaged milk. Half a century later, the shape lives on, with sharper graphics and...

Inline mixing.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Inspection and Mixing & Blending Equipment)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Admix offers a complete line of sanitary equipment ranging from low-shear blending to high-shear mixing and milling and particle size reduction. The company says all inline mixers are designed to comply with 3-A requirements.The Boston...

Powder dissolving unit.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Inspection and Mixing & Blending Equipment)(Tetra Almix Spark 20V)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The Tetra Almix Spark 20V is for dissolving powders and salts used in the carbonated soft drink industry. The unit can also be used for mixing liquid concentrates and water. The main components include a vacuum mixing vessel with a capacity of...

Lab mixer.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Inspection and Mixing & Blending Equipment)(IKA Works Inc. introduces MagicLAB laboratory mixer)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... IKA Works' MagicLAB laboratory mixer offers seven different mixing technologies, variable speed control and a variety of mixing heads. It can be configured to operate as a continuous or batch mixer, allowing users to evaluate the most efficient...

Plow blender.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Inspection and Mixing & Blending Equipment)(Munson Machinery Company Inc. introduces Cylindrical Plow Blender )(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The Cylindrical Plow Blender from Munson handles materials that are extremely fibrous, interlocking, dense, abrasive or moist/oily. The company says the unit blends at high speed, high intensity and with uniform results. According to the...

X-ray inspection.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Inspection and Mixing & Blending Equipment)(Thermo Electron Technologies Corp. introduces Kerr PROx X-ray inspection system )(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Thermo Electron's Goring Kerr PROx X-ray inspection system finds metal, glass, stone, bone, plastic, wire and other dense contaminates in packaged or bulk food products, as well as in pumped products. The system operates over a wide temperature...

Scale parts washer.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Inspection and Mixing & Blending Equipment)(Douglas Machines Corp. introduces Model HD-12-SPW scale parts washer )(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The Douglas Model HD-12-SPW scale parts washer is designed to wash, rinse and sanitize detachable scale parts from multi-head weighers while eliminating or minimizing the need for mezzanine modifications. Parts are loaded at the weigh station...

High-performance sorters.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Inspection and Mixing & Blending Equipment)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Key Technology's Tegra sorters for fresh-cut processors automatically detect and remove defects and foreign material from the product stream at high production rates. Using Vis/IR cameras and a metal-mesh catenary C-Belt for positive product...

Rotor/stator mixer.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Inspection and Mixing & Blending Equipment)(ARDE Barinco introduces CJ-2A reversible homogenizer )(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Model CJ-2A reversible homogenizer from ARDE Barinco prepares fine grain emulsions and solid particle dispersions in batches from 200 to 1,000 ml. Results obtained with the unit can be scaled up to batches as large as 10,000 liters using a...

Multi-layer films.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Inspection and Mixing & Blending Equipment)
February 1, 2007... Two new lines of Pentafood multi-layer films are available from Klockner Pentaplast. The Pentafood multi-layer sealing films are available in PVC/PE, PET/PE and BAREX/PE and provide enhanced sealing characteristics, says the company. For more...

Metal detection.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Inspection and Mixing & Blending Equipment)(Fortress Technology Inc. introduces Phantom systems feature digital signal processing)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Fortress Technology's Phantom systems feature digital signal processing to provide accurate, on-line detection and rejection of products and packages containing ferrous and non-ferrous tramp metals. There are systems for inspecting 50- to...

High-speed disperser.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Inspection and Mixing & Blending Equipment)
February 1, 2007... Ross' new line of high-speed dispersers includes a dust-tight cover with enclosed charging openings to contain solids to the mixing vessel. The equipment also includes fixed connections for charging of raw materials direct from the...

Inspection system.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Inspection and Mixing & Blending Equipment)(Ishida (Europe) Ltd. introduces IX-GA Series X-ray inspection system )(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Ishida's IX-GA Series X-ray inspection system detects metal and non-metallic materials such as glass, bone, shell and plastics even through aluminum foil and cans. Set up is automatic and no routine calibration is required. Stainless steel...

Leak detection.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Inspection and Mixing & Blending Equipment)
February 1, 2007... Part of the Leak Master leak detection series from Witt, the MAPMAX for packaging can be integrated into the production line to test outer packaging or individual packaging. For example, an entire batch from a thermoform or tray-sealing machine...

Magnetic line trap.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Inspection and Mixing & Blending Equipment)(Cesco Magnetics Inc. introduces Model 220 Sanitary MagTrap sanitary-grade magnetic line traps )(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... CESCO's Model 220 Sanitary MagTrap sanitary-grade magnetic line traps comply with USDA, AMS standards as per NSF/ANSI/3-A 14159-1 2002 for 6-in. and larger processing lines for viscous or fibrous liquids and slurries containing large solids at...

Latex gloves.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Inspection and Mixing & Blending Equipment)
February 1, 2007... Sempermed says it's SemperGuard HD latex powder-free industrial gloves are thicker and stronger than standard industrial latex gloves, providing additional barrier protection for the wrist and lower forearm. The textured surface is intended to...

Chemical-resistant paint.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Inspection and Mixing & Blending Equipment)
February 1, 2007... Hoffman says it's PowderPlus Finish, a stainless steel-impregnated paint, helps address the aesthetic, sanitary and functional demands of food and beverage packaging operations. The finish doesn't absorb chemicals and provides a solution for...

Spiral mixer.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Inspection and Mixing & Blending Equipment)
February 1, 2007... Prater-Sterling's SuperTwin spiral mixer mixes pellets, gelatin, pet foods and granular materials for food applications. It is suitable for mixing base material with additives.The mixer uses two augers, operating at different speeds, to mix...

Underdrain filter block.(TECHNOLOGY SOURCEBOOK: Focus on Inspection and Mixing & Blending Equipment)(Severn Trent Services Inc. introduces Tetra Snap T underdrain filter block )(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The Tetra Snap T underdrain filter block promotes stability of the block position during backwash procedures. Water, wastewater and industrial filtration facilities have an underdrain system to support filter media and to separate the filter...

Ask the expert.(retaining quality of packed food)(Brief article)(Column)
February 1, 2007... Q How can I retain the quality of my packaged food? A Food products spoil differently, whether through microbial growth, discoloration, oxidation or even moisture loss. Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is a way to help preserve the...

Outsourcing engineering: redefining priorities for new age engineers: twenty years after the trend began, outsourced engineering is not just about slashing head counts anymore. Food engineers with new skill sets are being created.(Cover story)
February 1, 2007... Sometime between 1990 and today, outsourcing migrated from a trend to a way of life for food engineers. Professional skills haven't been devalued but rather redefined to better fit corporate business models. Reduced headcounts are essential for...

Clean-in-place systems benefit from automation: when possible, make CIP part of your batch to save time and money.(TECH UPDATE)
February 1, 2007... Not all food and beverage applications lend themselves to automated clean-in-place (CIP) systems, but those that do can benefit in the savings of time, water, energy, chemicals and money. While many pharmaceutical manufacturers have already...

Relieving the relief effort: vibratory screener improves feed consistency in dry pasta production.(Dry Processing Technology: Focus on Powder & Bulk Operations)
February 1, 2007... When The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints established the Deseret pasta plant in the 1960s, the goal was to produce dried pasta for relief and humanitarian efforts. Although the plant is relatively small compared to large commercial...

Container dumper.(Eye on Equipment: IN POWDER & BULK MATERIAL HANDLING)(Material Transfer and Storage Inc. introduces Lift & Dump container dumper )(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Material Transfer's Lift & Dump container dumper with the Lift & Seal system provides efficient discharge of non-free flowing powders into an existing mixer at 156 in, above floor level. The unit features a Lift & Seal system for sealed product...

Weigh belt feeder.
February 1, 2007... Thayer Scale's line of low-capacity weigh belt feeders meters a Variety of hard-to-handle materi als, such as potato chips. Weighing is done through a low-deflection, non,wearing force measurement suspension system flexure scale that measures...

Railcar connector.(Eye on Equipment: IN POWDER & BULK MATERIAL HANDLING)
February 1, 2007... Cyclonaire's railcar connector with pneumatically actuated lifters streamlines unloading dual-outlet, hopper-bottom railcars. The company says the equipment reduces the time and eliminates the spillage associated with mating railcar connectors...

Powder weigher.
February 1, 2007... Replacing an auger or volumetric filler with a new Ishida CG Series Cut-Gate weigher may help achieve greater fill accuracy and elimimate messy and time-consuming screw and cup changes, says Heat and Control, the manufacturer. Suitable for...

Bag-break station.(Eye on Equipment: IN POWDER & BULK MATERIAL HANDLING)
February 1, 2007... This bag-break station from NBE integrates manually dumped materials into all types of dry bulk material processing equipment. The hopper is 44-in. square and has a usable capacity of 4 cu. ft. The dust hood features a 42-in. shelf height. A...

In-line sifters.
February 1, 2007... Model QA24 and Model 611 in-line sifters from Great Western have received third-party verification of their conformance to BISCC standards. Features include easy access for inspection and maintenance, a pneumatic sieve-compression system and...

Size reduction.(Eye on Equipment: IN POWDER & BULK MATERIAL HANDLING)
February 1, 2007... Modern Process Equipment's Fractionizer allows for precision size reduction of thin, leafy materials such as tea leaves and spices. The design combines teeth and interlocking grooves to cut materials to a uniform size with minimal unwanted...

Dry-bulk operation.(Eye on Equipment: IN POWDER & BULK MATERIAL HANDLING)
February 1, 2007... The Texas Shaker straight-line screening system features a multiple-deck, bulk-handling equipment design that delivers significant installed cost savings per ton-hour of capacity, says the manufacturer, Screening Strategies. a division of...

Vacuum conveying system.(Eye on Equipment: IN POWDER & BULK MATERIAL HANDLING)
February 1, 2007... In order to eliminate dust, help improve the throughput of the process and improve endproduct quality, K-Tron can supply in-line dilutephase vacuum conveying systems for conveying through conical screen mills. This automated, inline method of...

Freshline[TM] solutions for food processing.
February 1, 2007... Learn more about Air Products' global food offering, from equipment to services to supply, by requesting the new food capabilities brochure, Freshline[TM] Solutions for Food Processing. You'll discover how you can increase productivity, improve...

New Scale Parts Washer minimizes the need for mezzanine modifications Douglas introduces new scale parts washers.(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Douglas Machines newest product offering, the HD-12-SPW Scale Parts Washer minimizes the need for mezzanine modifications and helps overcome clearance issues. Parts are loaded at the weigh station and transported to the washer on specialized...

New generation of X-Ray inspection Systems.
February 1, 2007... Eriez' E-Z Tec XR Series is a new generation of automatic X-Ray inspection Systems delivering the highest level of product and packaging integrity. E-Z Tec Inspection Systems: * Identify contaminants * Control product and package...

Now there is a seamless flooring system.
February 1, 2007... That is safe and cost-effective for virtually every type of commercial and industrial floor. POLY-CHEM seamless polymer flooring is FDA/USDA recommended, and performs superbly in high-traffic, wet, and oily conditions. POLY-CHEM applies quickly...

Cole-Parmer's Masterflex[R] Encyclopedia Vol 3.
February 1, 2007... This is a FREE, 192-page technical resource and buyer's guide for selecting MASTERFLEX peristaltic tubing pump systems. This volume has been updated with all of the latest MASTERFLEX pumps, tubing, parts, and accessories. Features include...

New 2007 Dwyer controls & gauges catalog.
February 1, 2007... The new fully illustrated 2007 catalog features a broad range of measuring and control instruments for pressure, temperature, level, flow, and other related applications. This catalog continues Dwyer's commitment to its customers with a...

Hydraulic Bulk Bag Conditioner.
February 1, 2007... New Hydraulic Bulk Bag Conditioner loosens bulk material that has solidified during storage and shipment, enabling bulk bag unloaders to discharge it through bag spouts. Hydraulic rams with contoured end plates press opposing sides of bulk...

Measure color ... measure quality.
February 1, 2007... The D25L reflectance colorimeter accurately measures coarse food products. It automatically compensates for directional and textured food and "sees" color the way the eye sees color. * Measure color of chips, spices, cookies, crackers,...

Stainless steel conveyors.
February 1, 2007... Since 1974, Kamflex Corp. has specialized in the design and manufacture of stainless steel conveyors and related systems. Whether standard "Quick Ship Program" conveyors or custom-engineered units, Kamflex will work with you to develop...

Krylon Products Group offers new Tri-Flow[R] Industrial Lubricants product guide.(Buyers guide)
February 1, 2007... Krylon Products Group offers full-color product guide featuring its complete line of Tri-Flow[R] Industrial-Strength Lubricants. The guide outlines key benefits of Tri-Flow Industrial and Superior lubricants, Food Grade Anti-Seize, Citrus...

Food & chemical grade, fully sealed, industrial computer.(LITERATURE REVIEW)
February 1, 2007... The FT2255's fully sealed stainless steel casing makes it the ideal industrial computing solution for food, beverage, chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing. It is impervious to, liquids, chemicals and airborne particles. This robust 15"...

Cylindrical Plow Blender handles problematic solids.(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... A new Cylindrical Plow Blender said to handle materials that are extremely fibrous, interlocking, dense, abrasive or moist/oily, has been introduced by Munson Machinery. The cylindrical unit reportedly blends at higher speeds, with higher...

Specialty lubricants to keep your world running.(LITERATURE REVIEW)
February 1, 2007... Kluber Lubrication solves the toughest lubrication problems by providing the specialty lubricant perfectly matched to your application requirements. Kluber can extend lubrication intervals, extend equipment life, and outperform standard...

For food & cosmetic liquids ...
February 1, 2007... Process Systems & Equipment makes custom vessels for unique batch applications where off-the-shelf designs are not an option. The company custom designs the process portion of the application and ensures the vessel can fit through doorways or...

Screening is our business!(LITERATURE REVIEW)
February 1, 2007... Inside our new corporate brochure you will find a full line of screening products designed to handle your screening process. With over 50 years of screening excellence, our goal is to continue providing outstanding products and great customer...

Container dischargers.
February 1, 2007... Brochure describes methods for choosing the right container discharger for your application, including detailed information regarding components and configurations. Container dischargers allow for the controlled flow of materials from...

Parker Series SH/SHG.(LITERATURE REVIEW)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Parker Series SH/SHG stainless steel hydraulic cylinders are designed for the food processing industry. Stainless steel extruded cylinder tubing and non-tie rod construction provide superior corrosion resistance for durability in harsh...

ThermaKrete Urethane Concrete Coating.(LITERATURE REVIEW)(Rust-Oleum Concrete Protection Systems Inc.)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Rust-Oleum's new ThermaKrete Urethane Concrete Coating provides extreme protection for concrete in the harshest industrial environments. Ideal for the Food and Beverage Industry, where concrete floors are subjected to dramatic temperature...

SlipNOT[R] Metal Safety Flooring.(LITERATURE REVIEW)
February 1, 2007... SlipNOT, represents state of the art technology in slip resistant stainless steel surfaces. We manufacture NSF approved products to your specifications. From bar gratings, floor plates, ladder rungs and rung covers, or perforated and expanded...

New catalog available from Urschel Laboratories, Inc.(LITERATURE REVIEW)
February 1, 2007... Available free-of-charge, the new How to Cut Food and Related Products book offers processors 116 pages of helpful information. The book presents an updated alphabetical listing of the many different food products along with a reference to...

Powder/liquid induction/dispense systems.(LITERATURE REVIEW)(Ystral's clean-in-place Conti-TDS System provides dust-free powder induction)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Ystral's patented, clean-in-place Conti-TDS System provides dust-free powder induction directly from bags, big bags, and containers with immediate wetting and effective dispersion with no agglomeration. Induction rates up to 800 lb/min, and...

Seal Master[R] inflatable seals.(LITERATURE REVIEW)
February 1, 2007... Improve production efficiency with versatile, custom-built, fabric-reinforced elastomeric seals. In addition to sealing, they are widely used for mixing, drying, cooling, Granulation, coating, conveying and other applications. Require little...

A guide to safe and effective sanitation catalog 40B.(LITERATURE REVIEW)
February 1, 2007... This guide reviews spray sanitation solutions for automated tank washing, manual cleaning, equipment cleaning, and conveyor cleaning and blow off in food plants. The catalog features innovative spray products such as CIP spray nozzles, CIP...

Listen. Innovate. Deliver.(LITERATURE REVIEW)
February 1, 2007... At Waukesha Cherry-Burrell, An SPX Process Equipment Operation, we combine an aggressive product development program with state-of-the-art manufacturing practices to offer you the latest process technologies and equipment. Our extensive product...

In-line waste incineration: a purification loop using UV-generated ozone is enabling US dairies to drastically reduce wastewater discharges and chemical costs from their CIP systems.(Analytical Environmental Laboratories)(Interview)
February 1, 2007... It sounds like the alchemist's dream of turning lead into gold: a clean-in-place sanitation system that never requires changing water. It's not alchemy, however, but chemical engineering and the principle of photon initiated oxidation, PIOx for...