Food Engineering articles from November 2004

Food Engineering archives from November 2004

This could be the staff of something big.(Editor's Note)
November 1, 2004... About two months ago, a group of 80 people from the food and beverage processing industry got together in a quiet Utah mountainside community. While it may have been off-season for the swooshing sound of rich and famous skiers in beautiful Park...

Calendar.(Calendar)
November 1, 2004... DECEMBER 2004 6-7 Introductory HACCP, Fort Lauderdale, FL; Professional Food Safety LTD; 773-821-1943. 14-16 Introductory NACCP, College Station, TX; Texas A&M University; 979-846-9011. JANUARY 2005 10-12 WestPack, Anaheim,...

Morningstar Foods, a division of Dean Foods, is investing $7 million in a 42,500-sq.-ft. storage center addition to its production and distribution center in Jacksonville, FL.(Plant Openings & Expansions)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Morningstar Foods, a division of Dean Foods, is investing $7 million in a 42,500-sq.-ft. storage center addition to its production and distribution center in Jacksonville, FL. The dry storage portion of the project is expected to be finished in...

Compact Industries.(Plant Openings & Expansions)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... A manufacturer of dry food products, Compact Industries, plans to expand its St. Charles, IL, facility by almost 50 percent with the addition of materials storage and operating capacity. The company plans to move into the expanded space this...

Quaker Maid Meats.(Plant Openings & Expansions)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Quaker Maid Meats is constructing a 40,000-sq.-ft. facility that will be used for processing and freezing. The Reading, PA, plant is expected to open in June 2005.

Triumph Foods.(Plant Openings & Expansions)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Triumph Foods began construction on a new 630,000-sq.-ft., $140 million hog processing facility in St. Joseph, MO. The plant is scheduled to begin operating in the fall of 2005 with 400 to 500 new employees.

EVAL Co. of America.(Plant Openings & Expansions)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The EVAL Co. of America plans a production capacity expansion for its ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer resin, used as a food packaging material, by 53 million pounds per year. The project will cost $150 million and be completed in March 2006.

Processors must address security, asset management issues.(Manufacturing News)(Brief Article)(Column)
November 1, 2004... "I might not know how to operate your equipment. I might not be an expert in your field. But, I am an expert in breaking into your system's critical infrastructures." With these words, David Saunders, director of Critical Infrastructure...

Is trans fat limit 'good science'?(Regulatory Watch)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The Department of Health and Human Services and USDA are reviewing public comments on new Dietary Guidelines for Americans, with several food industry groups weighing in on the issue. Richard Jarman of the National Food Processors Association...

Shell egg provision may reduce Salmonella.(Regulatory Watch)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The Food and Drug Administration is proposing new regulations to improve the safety of shell eggs on the farm. The agency says that, when implemented, the production changes will significantly reduce the number of illnesses caused by eggs...

Frito-Lay.(Industry & People)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Irene Rosenfeld, former president of Kraft Foods' North American business, has been named chairman and CEO of Frito-Lay, John Compton has been named vice chairman of Frito-Lay and will retain his current responsibilities as president of...

American Society of Agricultural Engineers.(Industry & People)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... President and owner of Curry-Wille & Associates Consulting Engineers in Ames, IA, Jerry Wille recently took office as the president of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers. As a 30-year member of ASAE, Wille has served on the Board of...

Sara Lee Corp.(Industry & People)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Following her recent appointment as president and chief operating officer of Sara Lee Corp., Brenda Barnes has now been named as a director of the corporation. She is the former president and chief executive officer of PepsiCola North America.

Poore Brothers, Inc.(Industry & People)(Appointments)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Poore Brothers, Inc., the manufacturers of intensely Different branded salted snack foods, promoted Eric Kufel to chairman and Thomas Freeze to president and chief executive officer. David Greenberg was also hired as senior vice president of...

A subsidiary of Hershey Foods Corp., Hershey Mexico, entered into an agreement acquire Grupo Lorena.(Industry & People)
November 1, 2004... A subsidiary of Hershey Foods Corp., Hershey Mexico, entered into an agreement acquire Grupo Lorena, a leader in the spicy candy market in Mexico.

K-Tron Systems introduced a Global Systems Engineering Group to provide customers with integrated material handling systems from a single source.(Industry & People)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... K-Tron Systems introduced a Global Systems Engineering Group to provide customers with integrated material handling systems from a single source. The group uses feeding, vacuum conveying, weighing and control technologies to engineer a solution...

Westfarm Foods.(Industry & People)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... John Underwood is president and CEO of WestFarm Foods, I the manufacturing and marketing arm of the Northwest Dairy Association. Prior to this position, Underwood served as senior vice president of WestFarm's ingredient division.

Pepsi Bottling Group.(Industry & People)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Pepsi Bottling Group's board of directors elected L. Kevin Cox to executive vice president. He most recently served as senior vice president and chief personnel officer for the company.

Del Monte Foods.(Industry & People)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Tim Cole joined Del Monte Foods as executive vice president of sales. Previously, he was vice president of national accounts for the US with the Quaker Oats Co., directing US sales of all Quaker Brands including Gatorade.

Paperboard multipacks help water stand out.(Food Packaging Materials & Containers)
November 1, 2004... In the growing $35 billion global bottled water market, where each product is essentially the same, packaging holds a particularly important place in brand differentiation. Because store shelves are full of shrink-wrapped or corrugated trays...

Innovative multilayer container ensures consumer convenience.(Food Packaging Materials & Containers)
November 1, 2004... Consumers looking for a healthy meal replacement on the run can turn to dairy-based Ensure nutritional supplement from the Ross Products Division of Abbott Laboratories. The drink is now available in a lightweight, portable, and reclosable...

Kick back with a cocktail in plastic.(Food Packaging Materials & Containers)
November 1, 2004... Louisville, KY-based spirits producer Brown-Forman is responding to consumer convenience trends, as well as extending its reach into new market venues, by introducing Jack Daniel's Country Cocktails in new 16 oz. polyethylene terephthalate...

Classic Perrier glass bottle now in plastic version.(Food Packaging Materials & Containers)
November 1, 2004... Perrier mineral water is now available in a one-liter green plastic bottle. The new plastic bottle mirrors its glass counterpart with the same curved shape, contours and green hue. Available in regular, lemon and lime calorie-free natural...

Clear, contoured stand-up pouches for flavored water.(Food Packaging Materials & Containers)
November 1, 2004... American Beverage Company recently launched its Fruit Rapids naturally flavored spring water in a contoured stand-up pouch, which is contract packaged by Saddle-Springs Beverage Corp. The pouch is produced at Winpak under license on...

Copolyester provides clarity, toughness, design flexibility.(Cutting Edge Ideas In Materials, Containers And Fitments)
November 1, 2004... Freshco Ltd., marketers of Indian River Select refrigerated juices, recently launched one-liter orange, grapefruit and orange-tangerine juices in new clear plastic carafe-style containers. CKS Packaging, Inc. extrusion blow molds the carafes...

Panel-free hot-fill PET bottle.(Cutting Edge Ideas In Materials, Containers And Fitments)
November 1, 2004... Graham Packaging Company, L.P., introduced a proprietary Active Transverse Panel (ATP) bottle--the first vacuum panel-free, hot-fill polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle, claims the company. Graham says the ATP technology enables 100 percent...

Unique PET container design.(Cutting Edge Ideas In Materials, Containers And Fitments)
November 1, 2004... Gatorade de Mexico recently launched a newly designed 20 oz. PET container for its Gatorade and Fierce brands. The container development was a joint project between Gatorade and Amcor PET Packaging, which manufactures the container. The...

The simplicity of sanitation: by turning to basic principles, plants can avoid the most common design flaws.(Food Safety)
November 1, 2004... THE AUTHOR JOHN GAULE ONCE SAID, "A complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that works." That statement rings particularly true in sanitary design. In other words, keep it simple. Equipment needs...

Rotary screw compressors.(Focus on Compressors and Valves)
November 1, 2004... The 20, 25 and 30 hp AS Series rotary screw compressors from Kaeser Compressors feature the company's Sigma Profile airend and deliver flows from 59 to 124 cfm and pressures from 80 to 217 psig. Other features include a split-cooling airflow...

Solenoid valves.(Focus on Compressors and Valves)
November 1, 2004... Parker Fluid Control Division's Valve Actuation Series of solenoid valves is suitable for applications where valves must actuate the movement of larger process valves to control the flow of liquids. The series includes the 7300 and 2300 lines,...

Poultry trimmers.(Focus on Compressors and Valves)
November 1, 2004... The 620 Model Trimmer from Bettcher Industries is suitable for poultry thigh deboning operations. The tool's revolving circular blade separates the meat from the bone and minimizes the amount of meat being left on the bone. The company says no...

Industrial refrigeration compressors.(Focus on Compressors and Valves)
November 1, 2004... Mycom's I-Series compressor is designed to operate with anhydrous ammonia or R-22. Available in 150-mm rotor diameter and 180 mm rotor length or 1160SUD, compressor features include D-flange motor mounting, CP-iP control panel, oil pump free...

Compressor system.(Focus on Compressors and Valves)
November 1, 2004... Hussmann's IR Impact Compressor is available on the company's refrigeration system solutions parallel rack systems. The unit offers dual voltage on all models from 6 hp and above and multiple refrigerant capabilities. One compressor version can...

Diaphragm check valves.(Focus on Compressors and Valves)
November 1, 2004... This line of diaphragm check valves in Corzan CPVC from Plast-O-Matic Valves is for applications that require the elevated temperature and corrosion resistance of Corzan. Used to prevent unwanted and potentially dangerous reverse flow in piping...

Fluid control valve.(Focus on Compressors and Valves)
November 1, 2004... Norgren's Q2 quick-connect plastic body valve can be assembled into a motion or fluid control circuit. The valve has been designed to deliver minimal pressure drops. Individual models are available with pressure ratings from 5 psi through 120...

CIP detergent.(Focus on Compressors and Valves)
November 1, 2004... Oakite FiSan Pristine Plus features a blend of emulsifying detergents, water conditioners and balanced alkalinity to remove oily, creamy soils from stainless steel piping and equipment via circulation-in-place (CIP) cleaning. At 130[degrees]F...

Multiport ball valves.(Focus on Compressors and Valves)
November 1, 2004... Flow-Tek's Multiport Series fully integrated line of multiport ball valves offer three-way and four-way flow control and are available in two different body styles--a compact, standard port and a block-style full port. Applications include...

Nitrogen injection system.(Focus on Compressors and Valves)
November 1, 2004... The NITRODOSE HS liquid nitrogen injection system from Vacuum Barrier Corp. permits discreet dosing on high-speed PET and thin-wall can lines. The system can ramp up or down with line speed changes and features dose compensation logic as well...

Single seat valves.(Focus on Compressors and Valves)
November 1, 2004... Tuchenhagen's ECOVENT 'E' single seat valves are available for shut off and divert applications from 1/2-4 in. Features include compact, low-weight design, metal-to-metal sealing technology, open-lantern arrangement for visual inspection of the...

Continuous Conduction Sealing System (CCS).(product of the month)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The Continuous Conduction Sealing System (CCS) is ultra high speed and designed to handle 300+ containers smoothly, with no changes in direction or velocity. Changeovers take five minutes when diameters remain the same and thirty minutes with...

Solenoid valves.(Focus on Compressors and Valves)
November 1, 2004... Dosatron International provides a line of solenoid valves for use in hygiene and sanitizing applications. These full-port, din-plug-connection valves are available in both 24V and 120V. Standard sizes from 1/4 to 1 in. are available. Coils and...

Divert ball valves.(Focus on Compressors and Valves)
November 1, 2004... Product temperatures can be maintained with Fluid Transfer's sanitary jacketed divert ball valves. The company manufacturers jacketed flush-bottom, two-way and multi-port divert valves in sizes from 1 1/2 to 4 in. These flow-port valves are...

Mix-proof valves.(Focus on Compressors and Valves)
November 1, 2004... PMO mix-proof valves from SPX are designed to meet criteria for PMO for Grade A dairy processes and offer secure separation of products. The valves feature standard pressure ratings of 150 psi and an independent seat-lifting actuator. A...

Viscometer.(Focus on Compressors and Valves)
November 1, 2004... The Brookfield CAP 1000+ viscometer offers a choice of standard speeds at 750 and 900 rpm or a single custom speed suitable for quick QC tests. This range allows users to perform shear rate tests on products with lower viscosities. The unit...

Open-design checkweigher.(Focus on Compressors and Valves)
November 1, 2004... The Ishida DACS-Z checkweigher from Heat and Control achieves weight verification at speeds up to 600 packages per minute. Presets of operating parameters for up to 100 products may be stored in memory. An open and accessible design reduces...

Confectionery depositors.(Focus on Compressors and Valves)
November 1, 2004... APV Baker's Servo-Form depositors produce multi-color and multi-component hard and soft candy products including lollipops in one to four colors, stripes, layers or random patterns. The machine also produces hard and soft candies, toffees, gums...

Pump stuffer.(Focus on Compressors and Valves)
November 1, 2004... The Moyno AugMentor pump stuffer handles high-viscosity materials in excess of 1 million cps. The slow speed, bottom-driven auger consists of an electronically driven design that eliminates all obstruction above the stuff and ensures continuous...

Batch mixers.(Focus on Compressors and Valves)
November 1, 2004... Rotomaxx sanitary stainless batch mixers from Admix meet requirements for higher torque and larger volume mix and holding tanks. The mixers are capable of processing up to 10,000 gallons at viscosities up to 10,000 cps. Units feature a 304 SS...

Juice clarification membrane.(Focus on Compressors and Valves)
November 1, 2004... Koch Membrane Systems' HFM-513 PVDF all-purpose membrane for juice clarification exhibits 15% to 30% higher flux than the company's current line of membranes for light and dark juices. As an ultrafiltration membrane, it is easy to clean and...

USDA-approved belting.(Focus on Compressors and Valves)
November 1, 2004... Wire Belt received equipment acceptance and certification from the USDA for its C-Cure Edge, Flat-Flex and EZ Splice conveyor belting product lines. The issuance of the certificates is in compliance specifically with the NSF/ANSl 2003 hygiene...

Form/fill/seal machine.(Focus on Compressors and Valves)
November 1, 2004... Hassia's SAS 20/30 Aseptic Stick-Pack form/fill/seal machine packages low-acid food products aseptically, increasing their shelf life to a year without refrigeration, says the company. The machine meets FDA's CFR-21 standards. It produces up to...

Mini PCs.(Focus on Compressors and Valves)
November 1, 2004... Beckhoff C63xx mini format-control cabinet PCs measure 3.7-in. wide by 7.7-in. high by 8.9-in. deep. With an Intel Celeron or Pentium III processor and Beckhoff's TwinCAT software, the mini PCs handle PLC tasks and offer all the operating and...

Critical service valves.(Focus on Compressors and Valves)
November 1, 2004... Flowserve Worcester offers specialty valve solutions for critical service applications where microbes, media deposits, mineral impurities and cross contamination can threaten the quality of food products. The tube-bore WK74 Series clean valves...

Mix-proof valve.(Focus on Compressors and Valves)
November 1, 2004... SUDMO's mix-proof valve can pass heavy viscous product as well as large particulates. The large particulate mix-proof valve is suitable for processors of food slurries, meat chunks, shredded foods, fruit and vegetable pieces, sugars,...

Sanitary valve.(Focus on Compressors and Valves)
November 1, 2004... The Roto-Clean sanitary valve from the Roto-Disc Co. is available in 2-in. and 2.5-in. port sizes.The 2-in. valve can be disassembled so that no two parts are connected for cleaning and sanitization. The product is made from FDA-compliant...

A new model for aseptic: when aseptic processing adds cost, the technology is a hard sell. But three entrepreneurs prove it can be a cost-saving process.(Fabulous Food Plants)(Cover Story)
November 1, 2004... Four rogues named Charlie, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne might have done more to advance aseptic food processing than legions of the technology s proponents did over several decades. The hurricanes that racked southern Florida in August and...

The age of electronic accountability: compliance to 21 CFR Part 11 requires an understanding of its implications.(food industry)
November 1, 2004... Accountability is the name of the game in this post-911 environment. Due to both malicious and non-malicious threats, as well as the global nature of the food supply, security and traceability have become prominent issues. But defining security...

Shear madness: mixing technology is emerging as one of the most dynamic equipment categories, and high-shear units are redefining the science.(Tech Update)
November 1, 2004... FOR WALTER FARR, A 20-YEAR QUEST TO BRING PHYSICAL refining to the vegetable-oil extraction process reached a turning point when he found a mixer that took high-shear to a new level. A chemist by training and chemical engineer in practice,...

Automation has its perks: Web-based plant architecture improves rework and variance rates for coffee producer.(Field Reports)(Realcafe soluvel do brasil)(PlantWeb digital plant architecture )
November 1, 2004... "JUSTIFYING INVESTMENT IN AUTOMATION HAS BEEN DIFFICULT due to perceived cost/benefit ratios, the historically low profitability of the Brazilian coffee producers and the complexity of the automation equipment," says Raimundo de Paula Soares...

Avoiding a sticky situation: marshmallow producer boosts production with pneumatic conveying system.(Field Reports)
November 1, 2004... MARSHMALLOW MANUFACTURERS USUALLY CAN'T AVOID sticky situations because ingredients such as starch, flour and sugar make their production processes dustier, stickier and messier than most. And for plant managers charged with streamlining...

Sanitation is job one at bun bakery.(Field Reports)(Wendy's International Inc.)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... WHEN FAST-FOOD GIANT WENDY'S opened a new bakery to produce buns for its burgers and chicken sandwiches, it needed to eliminate the sanitation problems associated with the flour dust and steam that results from baking 1,200 buns per minute. And...

It's not just what's inside that counts: electronic machine control enables the reconfiguration of packaging machinery lines.(Control Management)
November 1, 2004... TODAY, REFORMULATION IS NO LONGER LIMITED TO CHANGING recipes--the package or container is also an important element of the delivery mechanism and product positioning. "Lifestyle" packaging is as critical to the product's success as the...

Bakers' brew revisited: after gaining a better appreciation of the desired end product, engineers tweaked the dough-brew process to rectify past problems.(Engineering R&D)
November 1, 2004... NO-TIME DOUGH IS A CONCEPT WITH GREAT APPEAL BUT A checkered past in wholesale bread baking. Instead of filling production floors with troughs of developing dough, a flour brew system can combine flour, yeast and water in a remote location. The...