HART’s Component Sales Division Supplies New Alfa Laval Screw Pump
New Alfa Laval Twin Screw Pump increases process flexibility, service and reliability, and operational safety Introducing the Alfa Laval Twin Screw Pump, the latest addition to the company’s hygienic pump portfolio for use in the dairy, food, beverage and personal care industries. Designed for process flexibility, the twin screw pump is built on a robust, reliable platform that meets stringent hygienic standards. Capable of handling both product transfer and Cleaning-in-Place (CIP), it has many new features, such as low pulsation characteristics, excellent solids handling capabilities and superior suction performance, which offer users greater process flexibility, high reliability, quick and easy maintenance, and increased operational safety. This simplifies operation and reduces costs whilst minimizing contamination risks and maximizing yield. Greater process flexibility The new Alfa Laval Twin Screw Pump combines the capabilities of positive displacement and centrifugal pump technologies into a single pump. With its two-in-one operation, the pump easily handles process media of varying viscosities as well as CIP fluids. This simplifies piping and control, which reduces costs and minimizes contamination risks. Moreover, superior suction performance with excellent lift capability and low NPSHr also provides installation flexibility […]
Dairy Product Packaging Design Tips
Eye-catching product packaging can help small brands compete against larger brands. A dairy products’ packaging is the ‘silent salesman’ and should be one big call to action. In Good Form Delivering your product to the consumer or retailer in one piece is the first important detail. The form and function of your dairy product packaging design is primary. Consider the transport method, weight costs, merchandising display, branding, and opportunities for benefit communication. All of these aspects are crucial for product samples. Examples of creative, yet functional packaging, include: A window required so the product can be touched before purchase The box can be displayed standing or on a hanging merchandising system Box was designed with a lightweight, recycled card, which supports brand values Be Clear Never underestimate how easy it is to confuse a consumer. Helping the consumer better understand what your dairy product offers at a glance may be the single most important goal of your product packaging design. Sometimes this is best achieved with a window or transparent area so the consumer can […]
The Secret to Good Aged Cheese
Aged cheeses are a point of pride for cheese makers and loved by many consumers. However, in today’s market, as producers are pressured to cut costs, the quality of some aged cheeses has suffered. The tips below with help you make good, consistently aged cheese. Use quality milk and ingredients Milk quality is essential because even a relatively low count of contaminating bacteria, such as heterofermentative Lactobacilli, or spore formers, such as Clostridia, can produce off-flavors and gas during aging. For aged cheddar, the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) recommends that heterofermentative Lactobacilli counts in raw milk should be less than 100 colony-forming units per milliliter. Poor sanitation and biofilm formation on process equipment can also contribute to contamination of the cheese. We also need to use good ingredients such as fresh milk, top-quality milk solids (old milk powders can contribute to stale off-flavors) and milk fat (preferably fresh cream). The starter culture needs to be healthy, vigorous, and phage-hardy. Salt should be high in purity. Don’t skimp on the starter or rennet Don’t be stingy with your starter culture – […]
The Global Journey of U.S. Specialty Cheeses
Cheesemaking in the United States is an inspired story of artisanship and excellence that dates back hundreds of years, representing the vast multicultural experiences brought to the country by immigrants. Today, talented and creative cheese makers from large-scale establishments to small family-based ventures push traditional limits toward new and elegant cheese offerings. The growing global recognition of the outstanding quality and variety of U.S. cheeses is leading to increased utilization in Western-style cuisine, as well as in recipes that reflect the culture and taste preferences of consumers around the world. The creativity and innovative spirit of U.S. cheese makers are two reasons why U.S. cheese is increasingly featured as a high-quality craft food item that has nearly endless flavors and ingredients. Craftsmanship Telling the U.S. cheese story spans thousands of miles – from the rolling hills of New England, to the vast open prairies of the Plains states, to the unique and dramatic beauty of the West Coast. With such a broad geography, it is not surprising that there is tremendous cheese variety and versatility. […]
Packaged Foods Should Be Kept In The Dark
Scientific studies show that light of any kind can cause food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetic products to degrade faster. Whether the light is in the grocery store, home, refrigerator, or through a window, it can cause products to expire before the expiration date. With milk and other dairy products, exposure to light affects the taste, freshness, and nutritional value of the food. When more consumers understand the impact of light on milk and other products they consume, they will find packaging that protects these products from light degradation. The first company to develop technology to assess, measure, and certify light protection in packaging is Noluma. A Noluma™ certification means that a product or food’s freshness, nutrition, stability, and sensory qualities are protected from light exposure as best as scientifically possible during the full shelf life of the product. Learn more and keep reading at Dairyfoods.com. Source: dairyfoods.com
How to Prevent Computers from Becoming a Contaminant in Food Manufacturing
Contamination is a large threat to any manufacturing facility, which is why extreme measures are being taken to ‘germ-proof’ the production line. If contamination occurs on the food processing floor, major issues can result. A full-blown contamination could lead to a complete shutdown in operations, which would mean huge financial losses. The financial losses would be in terms of food wastage, a standstill in production, and idle staff. There would also be a visit from your local health inspector. Food Contamination by Computer Computers are being integrated more and more across facilities handling food, which means the transfer of germs between computer and food is a major problem. Exposed computer systems alone are prone to dust. Computers used in a food environment on a daily basis mean a high-risk of food residue accumulating. Due to contamination by computers, there is a need to stop the problem at the source. Computers could be taken apart to ensure that any dust or filth is cleaned out, but that is not likely to happen. A rigorous cleaning process […]
The Final Rule on Bioengineered Food Labeling
The USDA announced the final National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (GMO labeling) on Dec. 20, 2018. This final version only slightly differs from its draft versions. The implementation date is Jan. 1, 2020, except for small food manufacturers. Small food manufacturers have an implementation date of Jan. 1, 2021. The mandatory compliance date is Jan. 1, 2022. This regulation requires food manufacturers, importers, and certain retailers to ensure bioengineered foods are appropriately disclosed. Regulated entities have several disclosure options including text, symbol, electronic or digital ink, and/or text message. Additional options, such as a phone number and web address, are available to small food manufacturers or for very small and small packages. It also specifies that the symbol used be either of two: According to Rachel Lowe, counsel in Alston & Bird’s Litigation & Trial Practice Group, the key changes are: Highly refined foods with no detectable modified genetic material do not need to be disclosed. There is a little more detail on validated process […]
The Importance of Material Honesty
One of the top packaging design trends for 2019 is material honesty and what to consider when selecting materials for retail packaging or product packaging. With so many choices, it’s easy to understand the confusion and the difficulty brands have in selecting the right materials for their brand packaging. Today we’re seeing the negative impacts of unsorted recycling. China’s National Sword policy, for one, has reduced the amount of recycled materials the U.S. is able to export. Recyclers are having to incinerate or landfill much of what’s being collected around the country. However, there are positive discussions happening around the #PlasticStrawBan and the efforts to reduce plastic in packaging. Many brands are also taking responsibility for their packaging by removing it from curbside-collected waste streams. The future of packaging is just getting started, so let’s dive into materials and how substrates are informing this packaging design trend. Designing with Materials With so many materials on the market today it’s hard to know where to start. Because we know that packaging design delivers an experience, we […]
Stop Fires Before They Start
A dirty rag, casually tossed aside. A faulty wire you never got around to replacing. A long-ignored fire extinguisher collecting dust in a corner. Sometimes it’s hard to believe such mundane items can lead to catastrophic fires, but unfortunately, that’s often the case. So when it comes to preventing fires at your food processing facilities, that’s where you ought to focus: Cleanliness. Maintenance. Common sense. Start by assessing your current operations with a few simple questions: Are you actively working to prevent a fire in your building—or have you just been lucky so far? Do you routinely inspect, maintain and update your electrical, roof and HVAC systems? Do you follow safety procedures for recharging batteries, especially overnight? What practices do you follow when storing flammables, vapors and combustible dusts? From there, review your fire safety program in greater detail. The following areas are particularly relevant: Smoking Smoking can be a fraught subject for employers, employees and customers. But it’s essential that you take it seriously and define your plan clearly. Many businesses prohibit smoking inside […]
2018 Industry Report: Cheese is a Standout
Although its growth at retail has slowed down in recent years, the natural cheese category is still gaining yardage. Dollar sales in the total category rose 1% to $12.9 billion during the 52 weeks ending Aug. 12, 2018, data from Chicago-based market research firm IRI show. Unit sales increased 1.5%. Processed cheese, however, continued to fumble at retail. Dollar sales fell 3.1% to $2.9 billion, while unit sales tumbled 4.1%. 2018 State of the Industry Report – Milk | Cheese | Cultured | Ice Cream | Butter | Non-dairy Beverages | Ingredients | Exports | View Past Reports But cheese’s future — on both the retail side and the even larger foodservice side — remains bright. According to a June 2018 report from Allied Market Research, Portland, Ore., the overall U.S. cheese market was valued at $32.3 million in 2017, and is projected to reach $40.5 million by 2025. That forecast reflects a respectable compound annual growth rate of 2.8% between 2018 and 2025. Touchdown for convenience Wielding a huge influence on the cheese segment is consumers’ desire for convenience. In fact, Allison Schuman, senior director of sales for Schuman Cheese, Fairfield, N.J., said convenience […]