Latest News

Home Market Foods acquires former pasta plant

Home Market Foods (HMF) has acquired the former Carla’s Pasta production plant in South Windsor, Conn. HMF said it plans to convert the plant into a meat processing facility. The company plans to invest $70 million in the project. The facility is anticipated to open in June 2025. By the end of 2027, HMF expects to create 210 jobs to operate the site. The company has begun recruiting for various positions, including engineers, maintenance workers, managers, technicians, warehouse and production line workers. “Home Market Foods is thrilled to expand our manufacturing operations to the state of Connecticut, which has a long-standing record of hosting some of the greatest manufacturing companies in the country, and to work so closely with the Town of South Windsor to expand its base of jobs

US Foods outlines aggressive product innovation platform

Distributor US Foods, Inc. made MOXē the star of its 2024 Investor Day on June 5. The all-in-one e-commerce portal enables foodservice operators to find products, manage orders and track deliveries while providing real-time inventory to ensure regularly ordered products are in stock. The one-stop-shop uses artificial
Articles

The Rise of Cloud Kitchens in India: Transforming the Food and Beverage Industry

For a long time, India's food and beverage industry has been dominated by traditional brick-and-mortar restaurants, which often demand significant initial capital investments and incur substantial operational costs. However, the industry is rapidly transforming with the advent of cloud kitchens, a concept that is reshaping the approach of aspiring chefs and culinary entrepreneurs. The Emergence of Cloud Kitchens Also referred to as virtual kitchens, cloud kitchens are centralized food production facilities that cater exclusively to delivery and takeout orders, with no dine-in option available. In India, this model has surged in popularity as it offers a cost-effective way for aspiring restaurant owners to realize their culinary dreams. Market Expansion and Prospects According to a report

Plant-Based Seafood Industry Innovates Amid Consumer Scrutiny

The plant-based industry has faced increasing criticism in recent years, particularly concerning its ingredients and production methods. In response, plant-based seafood manufacturers are leveraging innovation to regain consumer trust and meet growing market demand. Consumer awareness about food ingredients and
Ingredients & Additives

Study Reveals Potential of Biosurfactants in Meat Preservation

A groundbreaking study has revealed the potential of biosurfactants—natural compounds produced by microbes—to revolutionize meat preservation, potentially replacing synthetic chemicals and significantly enhancing food safety and quality. This innovative approach aligns with the growing consumer demand for natural and safe food products. Meat and meat products are essential components of human nutrition, offering high-quality proteins, essential amino acids, and vitamins. However, these products are highly perishable and susceptible to microbial contamination and oxidative damage, which can compromise their quality and shelf life. Traditional preservation methods include refrigeration, advanced packaging, and the use of chemical preservatives. Yet, due to increasing health and environmental

Green Plains Innovates Ethanol Production with Groundbreaking Dextrose Facility

Green Plains, a leading ethanol producer in the United States, is poised to revolutionize the industry with the imminent launch of a pioneering dextrose production facility. Situated within a dry corn milling plant in Shenandoah, Iowa, the facility represents a significant advancement in ethanol production technology,
Packaging

The Landscape of Innovation in Food and Beverage Packaging: Insights from Industrial Physics

Innovation stands as a cornerstone of progress, driving industries towards efficiency, sustainability, and enhanced consumer experiences. Within the realm of food and beverage packaging, where functionality intertwines with consumer appeal, the pursuit of innovation is both crucial and complex. Recent research conducted by Industrial Physics sheds light on the current state of innovation within this sector, revealing a stark contrast between aspiration and execution. According to Industrial Physics’ latest report, there exists a profound desire for innovation among packaging professionals in the food and beverage industry. An overwhelming 96% of respondents expressed the importance of new developments in packaging, with 71% categorizing it as very important. However, the reality paints a

Proco Machinery Unveils Versatile Cobot Palletizing System at NPE 2024

Proco Machinery, a leading innovator in manufacturing automation, is set to unveil its latest cobot palletizing system at NPE 2024, scheduled from May 6th to 10th at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. This cutting-edge system represents a significant advancement in the realm of industrial
Food Safety

FDA 101: Food Labeling for Online Grocery Shopping and Eaters

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a Request for Information (RFI) to learn more about the content, format, and accuracy of food labeling information provided through online grocery shopping platforms. This work builds upon the FDA’s prioritization of its nutrition initiatives. The FDA intends to use the RFI—a tool for collecting data and information from industry, individuals, and other stakeholders—to better understand consumers’ access to consistent and accurate nutrition, ingredient, and allergen information for packaged foods when they shop online. “It’s important for consumers to have access to accurate, informative food labels when grocery shopping online so they can identify foods to help build a healthy diet,” Claudine Kavanaugh, Director of the Office of

Food Industry Faces Stringent Regulatory Compliance Challenges in 2024

The food industry is navigating a complex landscape of regulatory compliance and legal issues in 2024, driven by new requirements for food traceability recordkeeping, major food allergen enforcement, Prop 65 labeling amendments, and a growing patchwork of state bans on synthetic chemicals in food packaging. These
Processing

Innovative Research Reveals Mushrooms’ Potential in Water Purification

Recent research has unveiled a surprising sustainable use for the waste left over from mushroom cultivation, suggesting it could play a significant role in water purification. Researchers from Utrecht University in the Netherlands have found that the residual waste from growing white button mushrooms can effectively remove contaminants from water. A Novel Use for Mushroom Waste "The nice thing about this waste stream is that it has a low value and so, we can make it more valuable," stated Brigit van Brenk, a researcher involved in the study. The study, published in April, highlights that the white button mushroom produces enzymes capable of degrading lignin, a polymer found in wood and plants. These enzymes can also break down other substances, presenting an opportunity to repurpose

Bulltec Revolutionizes Fennel Processing for Colt.Or Cooperative

In a bid to elevate the standards of fennel processing, Bulltec, a leading innovator in agricultural technology, has recently collaborated with Colt.Or Cooperative in Ortucchio, L'Aquila, to introduce a cutting-edge electronic processing and grading system. The initiative marks a significant milestone in the realm of
Catering & Hospitality

AI’s potential to enhance food safety practices

In this article, AI’s potential in bolstering food safety is explored, including how it can be used to help detect contamination before it becomes a foodborne illness. The journey towards integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into food safety practices marks a pivotal evolution in how the food industry manages hygiene and safety protocols. Historically, data on food safety is vast but very fragmented. It is often collected through traditional methods that create a lag in providing real-time insights that are necessary for proactive decision-making. However, with the steady implementation of digital transformation programmes across the food production sector, the landscape is shifting. With the increasing adoption of innovative hygiene inspection solutions that incorporate immediate data

The Revolution of Food Delivery Services: Transforming Dining Habits

In recent years, the food delivery industry has undergone a remarkable transformation, reshaping how people around the world experience dining. From the convenience of ordering meals through mobile apps to the logistics of rapid delivery, this sector has not only expanded consumer choices but also sparked a revolution
Country Reports

Review calls for the creation of a food safety agency in South Africa

South African researchers have recommended the creation of a single food safety authority to tackle food fraud and boost consumer health protection. They said a centralized national food control authority if equipped with enough resources, would streamline enforcement efforts and enhance investigative capabilities. In a review, the team looked at factors contributing to food fraud, including inadequate penalties, a lack of government commitment, complex labeling regulation, non-compliant street vendors, e-commerce and online food sales, and a shortage of inspectors and food testing laboratories. The current system involves multiple government agencies with overlapping responsibilities, such as the Departments of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF), Health (DoH), and Trade and

Iraq's Food Industry: A Growth Story with Local Flavor

Iraq's food industry is on the rise, fueled by a combination of government initiatives, private sector investment, and a renewed focus on local production. This presents exciting opportunities for businesses across the food supply chain. Focus on Food Security Food security remains a top priority for the Iraqi
Events

Cibus Tec Celebrates the Success of its 2023 Edition

The 2023 edition of Cibus Tec was successfully archived, reaffirming Parma as the capital of technological innovation for the food and beverage industry. At the fair, 1,200 companies from over 30 countries have chosen this stage of excellence to present their cutting-edge solutions, and 40,000 visits from the food & beverage sector, eager to explore the trends and the best news. Success also for the Top Buyers Program, developed with ICE-Agenzia and with the support of the Emilia-Romagna Region, which allowed over 3,000 top buyers from 80 countries to be welcomed to Parma with 10,000 requests for appointments scheduled even before the start of Cibus Tec. Around 150 accredited journalists from Italian and foreign media guaranteed global coverage of the event with a clear increase compared

Gulfood 2023

Gulfood 2023 20 – 24 February 2023 The Largest F&B Sourcing Event in the World Gulfood underscores the UAE’s status at the forefront of sector change and leading the role in tackling global issues. Driving creativity and change, in February 2023, the 28th edition of Gulfood will continue to unite food and beverage
Nutrition

Climate Action Must Include Nutrition

The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) Presidency of Egypt recently partnered with the World Health Organization (WHO), U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), and others to develop the Initiative on Nutrition and Climate Change (I-CAN). The multistakeholder, multisectoral global initiative aims to accelerate transformative action on the nexus of climate change and nutrition. “Climate and health go together; nutrition is a really important bridge between the two. We need to bring these two worlds together,” Lawrence Haddad, Executive Director at GAIN, tells Food Tank. “Unless you do something about climate, you’re going to be always struggling against the tide when it comes to food and nutrition.” Hunger is rising

Innovative Food Product Revolutionizes Convenience and Nutrition

In a groundbreaking development for culinary enthusiasts and health-conscious consumers alike, a team of food scientists has unveiled an ingenious invention set to redefine convenience and nutritional value in the kitchen. The latest creation, known as "NutriBite Pods," promises to revolutionize meal preparation with