Addressing Dough Contamination Challenges in Food Processing

In the competitive landscape of the baked goods industry, maintaining high standards of hygiene and efficiency is paramount. One of the world’s largest baked goods manufacturers recently faced a significant challenge in their prepared food plant: the need to eliminate dough contamination and enhance sanitation practices. The source of the issue stemmed from the processing of raw cookie dough, where the existing conveyance solution was inadequate due to its poor design and the inherent stickiness of the dough.

This inefficiency led to multiple problems, including excessive product waste, the risk of contamination, and prolonged downtimes required for cleaning and sanitation. Recognizing the urgency of these challenges, the company sought a more effective dough-receiving conveyor system and incline belt solution that would minimize residue buildup and simplify the cleaning process.

Innovative Solutions from PFI

To tackle these issues, the company turned to Grote Company and its specialized division, PFI. Through collaborative discussions, PFI designed a comprehensive and hygienic integrated solution that included:

• A bulk dough receiving conveyor that could be easily lifted for improved accessibility during sanitation efforts.
• An incline belt conveyor equipped with an Intralox A23 belt and a tool-less belt scraper.

Transformative Outcomes

The implementation of PFI’s advanced solutions led to a remarkable turnaround for the baked goods manufacturer. The project engineer from the client’s team remarked, “PFI installed the new equipment, and our issues with dough conveyance have gone away.” The enhanced accessibility of the system, coupled with the innovative tool-less belt scraper assembly, enabled the company to reduce sanitation time by half. This efficiency not only improved operational effectiveness but also contributed to the overall hygiene standards within the plant.

In a testament to the success of this initiative, the plant subsequently ordered additional systems just a few months after the installation, indicating a strong return on investment and satisfaction with the results.

A Continued Partnership for the Future

As the food brand continues to evolve, it relies on PFI for its sanitary conveyance systems across various divisions, including bakery and prepared foods. This ongoing partnership underscores the importance of innovative, reliable solutions in maintaining product integrity and operational efficiency in the fast-paced food manufacturing environment.

By addressing the critical concerns related to dough contamination and sanitation, both PFI and the baked goods manufacturer have set a precedent for industry standards, demonstrating that with the right technology and collaboration, significant improvements in food safety and process efficiency are achievable.

Related: Grote Company family of brands acquires SPI Automation