Food & Food Equipment News

Idaho Technology Inc. Launches High Volume Food Test Kits

 

Idaho Technology, Inc. (ITI) has launched their new high volume kits for foodborne pathogen detection. The new high volume kits feature 160 reactions per kit, a simplified protocol, and a competitive price, making them ideal for food labs with large testing capacities. The assays all use real-time PCR technology to identify the presence of Salmonella, Listeria or Escherichia coli O157:H7 in various food and environmental samples.

“We feel that our high volume kits not only accomplish this objective, but also result in more efficient operations.”

“Our goal with the high volume kits is to give high throughput labs a scientifically advanced food-testing product at the same price as less advanced technologies. This allows them to continue to be competitive in the marketplace during a time of slimming margins and increasing production costs,” states Rachel Jones, ITI vice president of Sales and Marketing. “We feel that our high volume kits not only accomplish this objective, but also result in more efficient operations.” These kits are now available for purchase and have been granted Performance Tested Methods Status by the AOAC Research Institute for use with the R.A.P.I.D.® LT Food Security System (FSS).

The validation of these high volume kits is an important development for all food manufacturers since foodborne pathogens are a major health problem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates there are 76 million cases of foodborne illnesses each year, resulting in 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths. The use of screening tools that are both rapid and accurate will permit earlier release of products without fear of potential outbreaks or possible food recalls. These assays are intended for use by trained laboratory personnel.

About the R.A.P.I.D. LT FSS

Built upon LightCycler® technology, the R.A.P.I.D. LT FSS combines rapid air thermocycling and a real-time fluorimeter to reliably test food and environmental samples. In addition to the instrument, robust freeze-dried reagents have been designed and optimized to run on this instrument and provide precise results. Because of its sensitivity, accuracy and high speed, it is the ideal instrument for rapid foodborne pathogen identification and represents a significant improvement over traditional microbiology tests that currently require five to seven days.

About Idaho Technology, Inc.

Idaho Technology, Inc., based in Salt Lake City, Utah, is the originator of rapid DNA analysis with applications including DNA amplification, real-time PCR and mutation discovery. ITI’s systems include biothreat detection systems (R.A.P.I.D.® and RAZORTM systems), a biomedical research system for gene quantification and mutation scanning (LightScanner® system), and a food protection system (R.A.P.I.D. ® LT). Founded in 1990, ITI is a privately held company focused on worldwide applications in the defense, research, industrial and food testing markets.

About AOAC International

AOAC International is a not-for-profit scientific association committed to worldwide confidence in analytical results.

For more information, visit Idaho Technology, Inc or AOAC International.

PMA Reception At 2010 Fruit Logistica Celebrates Global Produce Community

Produce Marketing Association (PMA) will reach out to international members and industry at the Fruit Logistica fresh produce trade fair, Feb. 3-5 in Berlin, Germany. The association will have an expanded presence at the international event as an exhibitor and host of a networking reception.

“PMA is continually upgrading our contacts, information, and business solutions to respond to the need of the global produce and floral industry,” said Nancy Tucker, vice president of global business development. “We have partners and members worldwide, and look forward to welcoming many of them to our reception celebrating the association’s global scope.”

PMA is sending Tucker, Director of Global Business Development Richard Owen, Director of Member Relations Paula Gonzalez and Vice President of Marketing Kelly Koczak to the show in Berlin.

PMA will exhibit in Hall 23, booth C.01. The association will host a reception, “Celebrating PMA’s Global Community,” from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 4, at the PMA booth. The event will bring together leaders throughout our global produce and floral community. Beer, wine and light hors d’oeuvres will be served.

“Join us for an opportunity to meet PMA members and potential members, see old friends, forge new contacts, and learn about advancements in PMA initiatives to build and strengthen our industry,” Tucker said.

The reception is presented in conjunction with industry partners KPG Solutions, Inc., Macro Plastics, Purfresh, The Packer and Washington Apple Commission. RSVP for the reception by Feb. 1 to pma@pma.com.

About Produce Marketing Association (PMA)

Founded in 1949, the Produce Marketing Association is the leading trade association representing nearly 3,000 companies from every segment of the global produce and floral supply chain. Members rely on PMA year round for the business solutions they need to increase sales and consumption, build strong professional relationships, and expand their business opportunities. 

For more information, visit PMA.

New Book Is Best 'How-To' Guide For Bison Production & Marketing

Bison Producers' Handbook compiled by More Than 30 Industry Experts

With the demand for bison meat at an all-time high, the National Bison Association this week has just issued a new comprehensive handbook designed to guide  newcomers through the ins-and-outs of the bison business.

The all-new Bison Producers' Handbook, released this month, represents a multi-year project of compiling the collective expertise of more than 30 long-time bison producers and marketers in the United States and Canada. The 280-page book contains chapters covering all facets of production and marketing.

"The Bison Producers' Handbook will serve as the industry standard for easy-to-understand information for newcomers and bison veterans alike," said Dave Carter, executive director of the National Bison Association. "The handbook contains information useful to people engaged in small-scale direct marketing, and larger scale commercial enterprises."

The $40 handbook is available through the National Bison Association website's online store at www.bisoncentral.com. The handbook is free to new Active NBA members and is available at a 50 percent discount for current members of the National Bison Association.

Among the chapters included in the Bison Producers' Handbook are:

• Creating a Successful Bison Business;
• Getting Started with the Right Animal;
• Daily Bison Management;
• Low-Stress Handling;
• Bison Health;
• Grass and Grain Finishing Options;
• Marketing and Promotion; and
• Added Value Products from Bison.

Carter noted, "The experts who contributed material for this handbook have been on the front line of building the modern bison business. Their material is based upon actual experience in raising, processing and marketing buffalo during the past three decades."

For more information, visit The National Bison Association.

Dundee Citrus Growers Association Extends Relationship With CHEP

Citrus Fruit marketer and shipper relies on CHEP to meet sanitary requirements and bolster environmental sustainability efforts

Dundee Citrus Growers Association, one of the largest fresh fruit cooperatives in Florida, today announced the expansion of its relationship with CHEP for pallet pooling services. Dundee uses CHEP pallets to transport Florida Classic brand oranges, grapefruit, tangerines and other citrus fruit from the company’s facilities to supermarkets, mass market retailers and club stores across the eastern half of the USA.

“Solid Waste Analysis And Life Cycle Inventory Of Pallet Systems”

CHEP is a cornerstone of Dundee’s environmental sustainability program along with its move to biodegradable packaging.

“Dundee tries to make the greenest decisions possible in all areas of our operations, and we view the CHEP program as a sustainable option. It helps that it is also cost effective for us and delivers a series of benefits to our customers,” said John Marshall, Vice President of Purchasing, Safety & Compliance at Dundee Citrus Growers Association.

Based on third-party Life-Cycle Inventory Analysis findings, through its use of the CHEP pooling system as opposed to limited-use whitewood pallets, Dundee is reducing solid waste generation by 75 tons each year, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions by 58 percent and saving enough energy to power more than one dozen homes with electricity.*

“We are delighted that Dundee is seeing significant supply chain improvements as a result of moving volume to CHEP. Equally important, they are bolstering their sustainability credentials by reducing CO2 emissions and waste generation,” said Tim Smith, Vice President of Business Development, CHEP USA.

*Savings based on Life-Cycle Inventory Analysis of CHEP USA pallet pooling program conducted by Franklin Associates. The calculation is based on Franklin Associates, "Solid Waste Analysis And Life Cycle Inventory Of Pallet Systems", 2006 Update.

About Dundee Citrus Grocers Association

Dundee Citrus Growers Association (Dundee CGA) is one of the largest fresh fruit cooperatives in the Florida Citrus Industry. A consistent leader in volume, Dundee CGA harvests over 18 different commercial varieties of citrus from 10,000-plus member acres located throughout Florida. We offer one-stop availability with two of the most technologically advanced fresh fruit packinghouses in the state. The combined cooler capacity alone is over 1.5 million cubic feet. Our fresh grapefruit, oranges and tangerines are marketed by Diversified Citrus Marketing and are destined for major retailers, wholesalers and foodservice distributors all over the world. In addition, we also harvest fresh citrus that is squeezed into juice. That juice is either destined for processing into frozen concentrated orange juice or not-from-concentrate as Dundee CGA is also a member of Florida’s Natural Growers.

About CHEP

CHEP is the global leader in pallet and container pooling services serving many of the world's largest companies. The company has more than 7,500 employees and operates in 45 countries. Combining superior technology and an asset base of more than 300 million pallets and containers, CHEP offers its customers exceptional value, a platform that enables reduction in customer product damage, and an environmentally sustainable logistical solution. Supply chains served include consumer goods, produce, beverage and the automotive industry. With global partners that include Procter & Gamble, SYSCO, Kellogg's, Kraft, Nestlé, Ford and GM, CHEP is known for Handling the World's Most Important Products. Everyday.

For more information, visit Dundee Citrus Grocers Association or CHEP.

Industry Survey To Provide Feedback On Produce Traceability Initiative

 

One year after the Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI) Steering Committee unveiled its action plan to enhance the produce industry’s traceability capability, companies across the produce supply chain have the opportunity to share feedback via a new online survey. All industry members involved in the produce supply chain – from grower to retail and foodservice – are encouraged to participate in the online survey, which can be accessed via a link on www.producetraceability.org. The survey, which is being conducted by Produce Marketing Association (PMA) and United Fresh Produce Association, will help the PTI Steering Committee and administering associations assess PTI adoption to date and identify additional support needs.

“The associations developed this survey to collect feedback from the industry on PTI implementation,” said Dan Vache, vice president of supply chain management at United Fresh. “We can use the data to help the industry meet future PTI milestones and thereby improve traceability across the entire supply chain.”

The PTI, administered by Canadian Produce Marketing Association, PMA and United Fresh, is designed to help the industry maximize the effectiveness of current traceback procedures, while developing a standardized industry approach to enhance the speed and efficiency of future tracebacks. The PTI Action Plan, released in 2008, includes a series of seven traceability implementation milestones, with the final milestone to be implemented in 2012.

“Achieving standardized, whole-chain traceability is an important goal for the produce industry and the PTI provides a roadmap for reaching that goal in the most efficient way possible,” said PMA Chief Science Officer Dr. Bob Whitaker.  “The survey will provide valuable feedback on the industry’s educational and informational needs, and issues that may be impacting implementation.”

Participation in the survey is anonymous and only aggregated data will be reported. The deadline for completing the survey is Jan. 4, 2010. Results from the PTI survey will be reported to the PTI Steering Committee and made publicly available via the PTI Web site within the first quarter of 2010.

 

About United Fresh Produce Association

United Fresh is the pre-eminent trade association for the produce industry in managing critical public policy issues; shaping legislative and regulatory action; providing scientific and technical leadership in food safety, quality assurance, nutrition and health; and developing educational programs and business opportunities for members to better meet consumer needs for increased consumption of fresh produce.  Founded in 1904, United Fresh represents the interests of member companies from small family businesses to the largest international corporations throughout the global fresh produce supply chain, including growers, shippers, fresh-cut processors, wholesalers, distributors, retailers, foodservice operators, industry suppliers and allied associations.

For more information, visit United Fresh Produce Association.

DELTA TECHNOLOGIES DEFEATS TIME THIEVES!

 

Quality expenditures can be summarized as the cost of implementing a quality program and the cost of rectifying defects. Organizations must balance the two. Going light on prevention will result in higher rectification costs later, but overspending on a quality program impacts margin. What’s an organization to do? And are there ways costs can be trimmed without sacrificing quality?

At the heart of most quality programs is testing. Famed quality guru W. Edwards Deming says, “You cannot inspect quality into the product.” Very true, but testing does have an important role verifying the effectiveness of an implemented quality program. It’s the feedback that any good closed-loop system needs. And the amount of testing performed by fresh produce organizations is increasing.

A recent study conducted by Delta Technology of 10 representative, U.S. fresh produce companies shows the amount of microbiology tests conducted has grown in excess of 500 percent over the last five years. Additionally, the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 may compel organizations to increase testing as a means for monitoring required preventive controls. But what is the state of testing programs today, and can they be sustained or even expanded without impacting costs?

The challenge facing many fresh produce organizations is a fragmented sampling program. Programs are typically procedure-based and managed on paper. There is a lack of consistency in the entire supply chain, and even more commonly a gap between the data collected and tools used to decode it. Specifications can be difficult to manage and new regulations will only aggravate the situation. The result is often only partial coverage, leading to a higher risk of rectifying defects after the product has reached the customer.

Wasteful quality costs can be managed in five simple steps:

• Reduce Variability—standardize a sampling program. Variability is the mother of inefficiency. 
• Make the Data Work for the Company—results naturally feed continuous improvement efforts—analyze a way to lower costs.
• Eliminate Paper—the average organization spends $20 in labor to file each paper document. This results in U.S. organizations spending $360 billion annually, turning data from paper documents into something they can use to run their businesses.
• Monitor Expenditures—Delta has learned from the energy sector that actively monitoring usage lowers energy costs 10 to 30 percent. The same is true for quality—monitor spending in real-time.
• Focus on the Company’s Core—On-premises quality applications can burden IT resources, and involve substantial implementation and maintenance costs.

Fortunately, one company has found a solution that addresses each of these areas. Delta Technology’s alert™ is the industry’s preeminent testing management solution. alert, an on-demand software solution, allows companies to enforce standardized processes. alert is equipped with a powerful Analysis Engine and Spend Management module. The alert Software as a Service (SaaS) model allows organizations to focus on core operations, while Delta takes care of managing the servers and software.

Delta Technology invites you to learn more about Cost Savings and to see the alert solution live. Visit Delta Technology or call 919-379-3420.

Candy Hall Of Fame Ushers In Ross Born

 

Just Born, Inc. and its family of associates are proud to announce that Ross J. Born, Co-CEO, was recently inducted into The Candy Hall of Fame in Tampa, FL.  

The National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) hosts the annual Candy Hall of Fame induction ceremony, at which it recognizes the achievements of industry leaders drawn from across the world.  

Ross Born has been active in the confectionery industry since 1978, when he entered the family business. He serves as the company’s co-CEO alongside his cousin David N. Shaffer, with whom he has worked for the past 31 years.  Born is active in the confectionery business, working with the National Confectioners Association (NCA) for more than 20 years in a variety of positions. He is currently the ex-officio chairman.

About Just Born, Inc. 

Just Born, Inc. is a privately owned company founded in 1923 and headquartered in Bethlehem, PA, where it manufactures PEEPS®, HOT TAMALES®, MIKE AND IKE®, MIKE AND IKE® ZOURS® and TEENEE BEANEE® Brand Candies. PEANUT CHEWS® Brand Candies are produced in Philadelphia, PA.  Just Born employs 475 associates.

For more information, visit Just Born.

FDA & FSIS Collaborate To Improve Tracing Of Unsafe Food Products

The Goal is to Prevent or Mitigate Foodborne Illness

 

A joint public meeting focused on improving the system for tracing of food products and ingredients that are causing illness outbreaks or presenting other risks to the health of consumers was announced today by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Recognizing the need to increase the speed and accuracy of traceback investigations and traceforward operations, both agencies are building on existing efforts by seeking public input that would help identify elements of effective food product tracing systems, identify current gaps in food product tracing, and suggest specific mechanisms for improvements.

The meeting is also intended to improve the ability of FDA and FSIS to use the information in such systems to respond to outbreaks more quickly by rapidly identifying the source of contamination during outbreaks of foodborne illness, and improving the ability of all persons in the supply chain to more quickly identify food that is (or potentially is) contaminated and remove it from the market during traceforward operations. 

“This public meeting provides an opportunity for FDA to collaborate more closely with FSIS as well as with members of the food industry, many of whom have been making important innovations in food safety practices and technology, and all of whom bear primary responsibility for producing and marketing safe food,” said Michael R. Taylor, senior advisor to FDA’s Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, M.D.

“The Food Safety and Inspection Service is eager to work with FDA, public health officials, consumer advocates, and the food industry to improve our ability to trace products that may cause illness outbreaks,” said Jerold R. Mande, USDA’s Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety. “The public can provide valuable input to strengthen our prevention, surveillance and response and recovery efforts, as outlined by the Administration’s Food Safety Working Group (http://www.foodsafetyworkinggroup.gov/).” In March 2009, President Obama announced the formation of the Food Safety Working Group, and in July, President Obama released Key Findings, which highlight steps that FSIS, FDA, and other Federal Agencies are taking to improve food safety. 

Food can become contaminated at many different steps in the supply chain. Experience in conducting foodborne disease outbreak investigations suggests that improved product tracing abilities could help identify products associated with disease more quickly, get risky products off the market faster, and reduce the number of sicknesses associated with foodborne illness outbreaks.

The FDA and FSIS share authority for helping to ensure the safety of the nation’s food supply. Each agency investigates foodborne illness outbreaks and other foodborne risks associated with the products they regulate. These investigations, conducted in close cooperation with the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention and state and local health and agriculture departments, often involve tracing backward or forward in the supply chain the distribution of food products and ingredients associated with risk to consumer health.  

A traceback investigation is an investigation to determine and document the distribution and production chain, and the source(s), of contaminated (and potentially contaminated) food, often in the context of an outbreak of foodborne illness. A traceforward operation is an operation to determine the distribution of contaminated (and potentially contaminated) food.

The meeting will be held Dec. 9 and 10 in Washington at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s South Building in the Jefferson Auditorium, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C., 20250.   

Online pre-registration is preferred, but pre-registration can also be done by faxing registration information (including name, title, firm name, address, telephone number, e-mail address and fax number) to 1-877-366-3322 by Dec. 2. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged for all persons who wish to attend the meeting, regardless of whether they also wish to request an opportunity to make oral comments at the meeting on issues and questions described in the Federal Register notice.

For more information, visit the FDA.

Interview with PEAKfresh President Greg Ganzerla

Interview with PEAKfresh President Greg Ganzerla

 

Interview with Blue Book Services Marketing Leader Whitney Spagnola

Interview with Blue Book Services Marketing Leader Whitney Spagnola