FoodProcessing Feature Articles

Safe, efficient routes for dangerous goods in Europe

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 03:06:25 +0000

Choosing the best and most cost-efficient route for transporting goods is even more problematic when the goods are dangerous. A new system has been developed in Europe which could make these calculations easier.

Listeria monocytogenes contamination in ready-to-eat foods

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 23:54:10 +0000

The incidence of listeriosis is increasing even though there is no evidence of increasing prevalence in foods. Listeria monocytogenes contamination of ready-to-eat foods may be contributing to this problem, especially as ready-to-eat meal consumption is increasing in vulnerable groups such as the elderly.

Five growth food and beverage markets

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 23:33:09 +0000

Recession-proof food and drink markets often provide comfort/simple foods that can be purchased for a relatively low price. In the US, market research company Mintel has re-forecasted its research reports from the past two years, identifying which food and drink markets are actually being improved in the current market.

Squeezing healthier fruit products

Mon, 11 May 2009 23:45:46 +0000

High-pressure processing offers a non-thermal way to pasteurise a range of food products. Donny Boy Fresh Food has opened a world-first facility in Melbourne using this technology.

Cold-aseptic filling

Mon, 11 May 2009 22:56:07 +0000

Aseptic cold filling offers a solution to meeting consumer demand for minimally processed foods and drinks.

Driving energy efficiency further

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 05:14:16 +0000

The electrical drive industry has an important role to play in the course of the developments in energy markets and the increasing awareness for protection of the environment.

Big boost for small business

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 05:08:21 +0000

The $2.7 billion Business Tax Break, a key element of the Australian government’s $42 billion Nation Building and Jobs Plan, gives businesses a one-off tax deduction equal to 30% of the capital cost of eligible new equipment.

Tracking and tracing food and beverage goods

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 01:33:34 +0000

RFID can be used to track and trace foods and beverages on a global scale.

Attracting good staff

Mon, 09 Mar 2009 01:50:42 +0000

The right staff have to exist before you can hire them. There is a lack of superior students choosing to enter the food industry so maybe it is time for the industry to face this issue and try to find some solutions.

Don't touch US peanuts

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 01:15:39 +0000

To what extent did failings in regulatory oversight contribute to the salmonella outbreak that has led to the largest recall in the US and the deaths of nine people?

Higher energy efficiency through the optimal interaction of system components

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 01:30:58 +0000

As energy costs climb, companies are becoming more and more interested in improving energy productivity and efficiency. Luckily there are many ways this can be cost-effectively achieved.

Pay peanuts: get monkeys

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:58:51 +0000

Good money cannot guarantee top people in the food industry. First, top students need to choose food technology and engineering at the tertiary level — and this is not happening.

Measuring sustainability

Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:12:36 +0000

There is no standardised definition of how to measure how environmentally friendly a product is. This is making life difficult for companies making decisions about sustainable business practices.

Top 10 food safety challenges of 2009

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:40:31 +0000

Ten of the major food safety issues facing the food industry in 2009 are nominated by Bill Marler from foodborne illness law firm Marler Clark.

What is needed on a label

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 01:53:27 +0000

Too much information on the labels of ready meals will make it too difficult for consumers to extract the information they are interested in when making purchasing decisions.

Doubts make consumers more willing to re-evaluate brands

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:54:30 +0000

Challenges to brand understanding can lead consumers to doubt their understanding of an established brand, giving marketers the opportunity to reinvent brands.

International Food Chain Integrity and Traceability Project

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:30:52 +0000

The International Food Chain Integrity and Traceability Project is project designed to achieve end-to-end supply chain system assurance.

Hygienic design

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:41:53 +0000

Hygienic design of processing systems and equipment can not only reduce the risk of manufacturing contaminated food but also increase plant efficiency and cost control.

The food industry and the next pandemic

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 01:33:10 +0000

A pandemic will devastate the food manufacturing industry with up to 50% workforce reductions forecast. But the industry will still have to supply food to the populace.

Trends impacting secondary packaging

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 01:56:47 +0000

Improved operations, cost savings and lower transportation costs are the top three drivers for companies re-evaluating their secondary packaging according to the latest PMMI report. Sustainability is high on the agenda but not one of the major drivers.