Food for Thought | A blog about food plant design, engineering, automation, construction, sanitation and refrigeration

January 6, 2022January 30, 2023 Views: 1744

Does your PSM compliance training meet the latest OSHA requirements? [infographic]

Industrial refrigeration managers know that their personnel must undergo Process Safety Management (PSM) compliance training — but how do they know if their current training meets with the latest requirements from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)?

For example, did you know that simply sending your refrigeration team off for generic training at another facility is not enough? OSHA 1910.119 mandates being trained on your specific equipment and process.

March 23, 2023March 23, 2023 Views: 1740

Food Plant Construction: Local Labor vs. Self-performing Contractors

The construction industry continues to face a tight labor market as contractors manage ongoing demand, leaving some no choice but to turn down projects if their workforce cannot meet the project needs. In 2021, more than 40% of construction firms reported turning down work due to labor shortages, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

However, demand for construction workers is only expected to rise. In November 2021, President Joe Biden signed the $1.2 trillion bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law, which is expected to create an average of 1.5 million jobs each year for the next decade and provide $550 billion to improve the nation’s infrastructure over the next five years. This legislation would fund airports, ports and waterways, roads, bridges and more, which would provide food plant owners with better access to farms, raw ingredients and distribution channels.

As demand rises, plant owners should understand the options for securing the necessary labor to complete their new-build or expansion projects and how their choices could impact the project lifecycle.

May 4, 2017March 19, 2019 Views: 1734

2 Biggest Threats to Food Plant Construction Budgets

Constructing a new food or beverage plant can be similar to a lot of big investments in life where attention to detail can make or break your budget. Think about renovating a house, buying a car or maintaining a boat — any of these things can quickly turn into a money pit, but it can be efficient if you plan accordingly. The same goes for your next construction project. Continue Reading “2 Biggest Threats to Food Plant Construction Budgets”

June 1, 2023June 1, 2023 Views: 1730

Choosing the Right Oil-Cooling Method for Your Industrial Refrigeration Compressor

As any industrial engineer will tell you, screw compressors play a vital role in the food and beverage industry, where temperature control is critical to ensure product safety and quality.

They’ll also tell you that these compressors require a lot of oil to work properly. This oil serves several functions, including sealing the rotors, lubricating the bearings and cooling the discharge gas. Because of this, nearly all food processors and beverage manufacturers will be in the market for a refrigeration compressor rebuild or replacement at some point or another.

And while regular maintenance can help, designing a system with the proper oil-cooling technique can also extend a compressor’s lifespan by thousands of operating hours — but how do you determine what method makes the most sense for your system?

September 21, 2017March 19, 2019 Views: 1728

Are You Getting the Most Accurate Weight Measurements from Your Load Cells?

Photo: Food Engineering’s “How to determine the best sensor for filling applications”

Filling and weighing systems are a fundamental part of the food and beverage industry. On the line, they establish fill weights, volumes and levels for products whether it’s flavorings, beverages, slurry products or bulk containers of dry and/or liquid ingredients.

When it comes to recipes, the slightest change in ingredients can spoil an entire batch of product — that’s why precise weighing is paramount.

Continue Reading “Are You Getting the Most Accurate Weight Measurements from Your Load Cells?”

February 2, 2017March 17, 2022 Views: 1725

What’s Next in Dairy? From Probiotics to Premium Flavors and Drinkable Yogurt

This week our peers gathered to discuss the latest in the dairy industry at Dairy Forum 2017. The International Dairy Foods Association event brings together farmers, processors, regulators and dairy executives to network and examine industry trends — and there’s a lot to talk about.

Continue Reading “What’s Next in Dairy? From Probiotics to Premium Flavors and Drinkable Yogurt”

October 1, 2020August 3, 2021 Views: 1707

Protect Your Food Processing Facility from Dust Explosions

The Imperial Sugar dust explosion of 2008 was a tragic reminder of the potential for common food processing ingredients to cause unneeded loss of life and property in a food plant.

While it’s not feasible to ditch dusty ingredients like sugar, flour and cornstarch in most food processes, you should be aware of the danger particular ingredients create and formulate a plan to keep your workers and plant safe.

January 7, 2016January 31, 2023 Views: 1701

What Food Processors Should Know About the New Earthquake Building Rating System

In November 2015, the United States Resiliency Council (USRC) launched the USRC Earthquake Building Rating System, a first-of-its-kind performance rating system for seismic hazards. This system is the first reliable, consistent method to determine how susceptible buildings may be to earthquakes, providing facility owners, insurance providers, and engineers with a better understanding of how to prevent losses. The rating system assesses buildings on three important criteria, each of which is detailed later in this article.

Continue Reading “What Food Processors Should Know About the New Earthquake Building Rating System”

August 8, 2013March 20, 2019 Views: 1688

Four Things You Need to Know About the Permitting Process in China

Successful U.S. businesses in China know one thing: building relationships with Chinese officials is the key to effectively establishing, running and managing a business. Especially when obtaining the necessary permits and approvals for a new food processing plant – which can be a lengthy and frustrating process – it’s imperative to play by a few key rules to ensure a smoother permitting process.

Continue Reading “Four Things You Need to Know About the Permitting Process in China”

January 28, 2021July 25, 2022 Views: 1688

An Inside Look at Sunsweet’s Prune Processing Facility in South America [PHOTOS]

Sunsweet, a grower-owned cooperative based in California, is the world’s largest and most famous brand of dried tree fruits. When the company decided to expand their prune processing facility in Chile, they partnered with Stellar to plan, design and navigate the international construction process.

Today, the processing facility is a full-fledged operation supporting Sunsweet’s ongoing growth. Given its complexity and the company’s investment in cutting-edge features, the plant also serves as a “learning lab” where Sunsweet can test ideas and experiment with different processing efficiencies that will be applied to its future facilities.