Focus on the equipment used in food and beverage processing, such as mixers, blenders, pasteurizers, and other machinery. This subcategory covers the latest innovations in processing technology.
Carving a niche for its distinct flavor combinations, the new packaging – which is fully recyclable – positions the brand’s pairings as “Fusion Hummus” and features the brand’s vibrant colors. Food photography and creative usage ideas aim to inspire shoppers.
Made with plant-forward ingredients, Lantana’s fusion hummus includes:
Sriracha Carrot: Creamy white beans are topped with roasted red peppers and apricots for the ideal balance of sweet and spicy.
Black Bean Hummus: Rich, savory black beans with a spicy corn relish topping that is perfect as a spread or guacamole alternative.
Cauli Pizza Crust: Featuring a white bean base and savory marinara basil sauce for pizza cravings, conquered.
Dill Pickle Hummus: A classic hummus topped with diced dill pickles ready to spread on sandwiches or wraps.
“Consumers want healthy, plant-based foods that deliver a full flavor punch and are super easy to incorporate into their daily eating habits,” says Megan Trout, director of brand management at Lantana Foods. “Our fusion hummus checks all the boxes: fun, flavorful and convenient. Our delicious combinations are unlike any other hummus in the market. We hope our new packaging reflects our passion for these products and helps consumers spot us in the deli.”
The rebrand coincides with Lantana’s retail expansion across the country. Consumers can find the recyclable hummus packaging on-shelf beginning in September at a suggested retail price of $4.99.
APV, a brand of SPX FLOW, has introduced the Ultra Clean Pigging System, an upgraded hygienic system that recovers valuable product before cleaning-in-place (CIP).
This upgrade saves time and resources while reducing losses in dairy and plant-based food and beverage processing. The scraping system can be used on all lines that create fresh and fermented products, including yogurt, ice cream and desserts.
Dairy and plant-based processing systems demand product safety with robust cleaning and maintenance. By harnessing SPX FLOW’s pigging technology for recovering residual liquid products from pipes, the Ultra Clean Pigging System scrapes off high-value products from pipes without mixing them with water, significantly reducing wasted products during CIP operations. It has the CE (Conformité Européenne) mark and is constructed with both FDA and EU food contact-certified materials.
Ultra Clean Pigging System benefits include:
Higher product yield: There is up to 70%* reduction in product loss compared to hygienic cleaning systems without the APV pigging system.
More hygienic operations: The system’s modulating valve and pressure transmitter restrict product by-pass and allow for superior control of the scraper’s travel speed for sanitary performance.
Increased uptime: Due to faster cleaning methods, it provides more runtime compared to food processing plants without the APV pigging system.
Sustainable performance: The system uses up to 70%* less water and chemicals during CIP compared to food processing plants without the APV pigging system due to less product soil to be cleaned.
Easy to use and maintain: It can be retrofitted into existing systems and is optimized for maintenance using SPX FLOW spare parts
The scraping system is designed to meet these challenges by reducing product loss, increasing uptime and minimizing water and chemical usage. It addresses the pressing need for efficiency and sustainability in the food industry.
“We are thrilled to introduce the APV Ultra Clean Pigging System, representing the latest advancement in SPX FLOW’s commitment to foster sustainable food and beverage production globally,” says Pranav Shah, SPX FLOW global market director, dairy & plant-based beverages. “This innovative scraping system reduces product loss and optimizes system efficiency while keeping sustainability in mind. We are proud to offer our award-winning technology to even more of our dairy and plant-based processing customers.”
*Figures are contingent on actual running conditions within the plant.
In the dynamic realm of the food and beverage industry, the pursuit of operational excellence is relentless. Companies endeavor to meet and surpass consumer expectations for quality, safety and sustainability amidst ever-evolving market trends and regulatory standards. At the forefront of this pursuit is the integration of cutting-edge technologies, with machine vision technology including area scan cameras, emerging as a transformative force in driving productivity, enhancing quality control and revolutionizing packaging inspection processes.
A wide range of machine vision technology—from image sensors and cameras to 3D laser profilers to AI-image processing software—significantly enhances productivity in the food and beverage sector. This article will focus on area scan cameras, which capture the two-dimensional area of an object at once in color or monochrome making them a great fit for a variety of industry applications.
Area scan cameras play a pivotal role in this arena by offering high-resolution imaging capabilities that facilitate meticulous inspection of products throughout the production cycle.
Food and beverage imaging applications such as high-speed food sorting, portion cutting, quality monitoring and packaging inspection are constantly looking to improve image capture speeds to reduce production cycle time. Some cameras feature enhanced image acquisition speeds for rapid image acquisition and transfer. In addition, advanced Multiple Region of Interest (ROI) functionality expands imaging capture capabilities even further. Understand what’s “under the hood” of the area scan cameras you are evaluating. Ensure that all the advanced capabilities you need—from in-camera pre-processing to a framework like Teledyne DALSA’s trigger-to-image-reliability (T2IR)—are available to enhance productivity.
The Role of Area Scan Cameras in Quality Control
Quality control stands as a linchpin of success in the food and beverage industry, where consumer safety and satisfaction reign supreme. Area scan cameras play a pivotal role in this arena by offering high-resolution imaging capabilities that facilitate meticulous inspection of products throughout the production cycle.
For instance, within food processing facilities, area scan cameras serve as vigilant sentinels, detecting contaminants such as foreign objects or microbial growth that pose health risks to consumers. Armed with real-time imaging prowess, these cameras empower manufacturers to enact proactive measures, ensuring compliance with stringent food safety regulations.
In addition, area scan cameras bolster quality assessment efforts by enabling the identification of defects such as bruising, discoloration, or irregularities in shape and size. This granular level of inspection allows for the swift removal of subpar products from the production line, thereby minimizing waste and optimizing resource utilization.
Enhancing Packaging Inspection with Area Scan Cameras
Packaging assumes a dual role in the food and beverage industry, serving as both a protective barrier and a marketing vehicle. Thus, ensuring the integrity and accuracy of packaging materials is imperative to safeguarding product freshness and brand reputation. Area scan cameras provide a comprehensive solution for packaging inspection, enabling manufacturers to detect defects and discrepancies with unparalleled precision.
In the realm of food packaging, area scan cameras facilitate the identification of imperfections such as seal integrity breaches, misalignments or labeling errors that could compromise product quality or lead to regulatory non-compliance. By capturing high-definition images of packaging materials, these cameras empower automated inspection algorithms to flag anomalies in real time, mitigating the risk of recalls and consumer dissatisfaction.
Furthermore, area scan cameras play a pivotal role in verifying the accuracy of packaging content, including barcodes, expiration dates and nutritional information. By ensuring compliance with labeling regulations and product specifications, manufacturers uphold transparency and trust with consumers while streamlining inventory management and traceability processes.
Shown are some examples of food and beverage inspection applications.
Area Scan Camera Applications in Food and Beverage Packaging Inspection
1. Seal Integrity Inspection:
Area scan cameras are instrumental in detecting leaks or imperfections in packaging seals, ensuring product freshness and preventing contamination.
By capturing detailed images of seal profiles, these cameras enable automated algorithms to identify irregularities and trigger corrective actions, such as resealing or removal from the production line.
2. Labeling Verification:
Area scan cameras facilitate the verification of label accuracy, including barcode readability, alignment and content consistency.
Through image analysis techniques, these cameras ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and enable seamless integration with inventory management systems for accurate tracking and traceability.
3. Packaging Material Inspection:
Area scan cameras are deployed to inspect packaging materials for defects such as tears, wrinkles or foreign particles.
By capturing high-resolution images of packaging surfaces, these cameras empower manufacturers to preemptively identify issues and uphold product aesthetics and shelf appeal.
4. Detecting Dents and Damage in Aluminum Cans:
Area scan cameras offer a robust solution for detecting dents and damage in aluminum cans, ensuring product integrity and consumer safety.
By employing advanced imaging algorithms, these cameras enable manufacturers to identify even subtle imperfections in can surfaces, thereby mitigating the risk of product contamination or leakage.
In conclusion, area scan cameras represent a paradigm shift in the food and beverage industry, offering unparalleled capabilities for enhancing productivity, quality control and packaging inspection processes. By leveraging advanced imaging technologies, manufacturers can mitigate risks, optimize operational efficiency and deliver superior products that meet the evolving demands of consumers and regulatory authorities alike.
As the industry continues to embrace digital transformation and automation, the adoption of area scan cameras is poised to accelerate, driving innovation and competitiveness across the entire value chain. By investing in these cutting-edge solutions, companies can position themselves as leaders in the era of smart manufacturing, setting new standards for excellence and sustainability in the global food and beverage market.
About Area Scan Cameras
Area scan cameras capture high-resolution, two-dimensional images in a single frame, making them vital for high-speed food sorting, quality monitoring, packaging inspection and more.
These cameras offer advanced user control and various imaging options, including color, monochrome, Near-Infrared (NIR), and Short-Wave Infrared (SWIR), to meet diverse needs. Unlike line scan cameras, which build images line by line, or 3D profilers, which create depth maps, area scan cameras capture entire scenes at once. This makes them cost-effective and easier to set up and integrate into existing systems, ensuring efficiency and compliance.
Examples from Teledyne include the Forge, Genie Nano, and Blackfly S. These area scan GigE cameras can enhance efficiency, refine quality control, and deliver exceptional products to meet the dynamic needs of equipment builders and system integrators within the food and beverage industry.
FreshRealm, Inc., a national leader in fresh meal delivery, will expand its footprint in Montezuma, Ga., creating more than 300 new jobs through an investment of $6.3 million in Macon County.
FreshRealm is a food-as-a-service company offering a nationwide, end-to-end platform optimized for fresh food. FreshRealm’s solutions span multiple food industry segments, serving customers and partners in grocery, food service, hospitality, direct-to-consumer, medical meals and more.
“FreshRealm is building the most optimized fresh food platform in the world, so that everyone, every day, everywhere can enjoy fresh food,” says Snow Le, president of FreshRealm. “Montezuma is an excellent location for us to strategically reach the entire U.S., especially the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. We are proud to be expanding our operations in Georgia, a state with great fiscal strength and a clear dedication to businesses and communities.”
FreshRealm’s current facility is located at 303 Airport Road in Montezuma. The expansion will add several new lines, allowing FreshRealm to provide a full assortment of products, including ready-to-heat and ready-to-cook meals, meal kits and more to customers in the region.
“Georgia is proud to offer opportunities for innovative companies like FreshRealm to thrive in our state’s No. 1 industry – agriculture,” says Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. “Food and fiber production contributed $83.6 billion and 323,300 jobs to our economy this past year, and we’re thankful for the 300 new positions that will join that growing number of opportunities thanks to FreshRealm.”
Saco Foods, a portfolio company of Fengate Private Equity and Weathervane Investment Corp., has completed the acquisition of Quinoa Corporation and its brands Ancient Harvest and Pamela’s.
Saco Foods acquired Quinoa Corporation and its brands from funds managed by Encore Consumer Capital. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed
Founded in 1983, Ancient Harvest pioneered the sale of quinoa in the U.S. and continues to be a leading brand for plant-based products including gluten-free pasta, polenta and quinoa. Founded in 1988 and acquired by Quinoa Corporation in 2019, Pamela’s offers gluten-free baking mixes and baked goods.
“We are excited to welcome Ancient Harvest and Pamela’s into our family of brands,” says Tom Walzer, CEO of Saco Foods. “Broadening our offering with their quality products complements our existing portfolio and leverages our shared service platform to improve service and reinvest in innovation to drive the organic growth of these great legacy brands.”
“I am excited to be joining the Saco platform, as it is a natural fit for our brands,” adds John Becker, former CEO of Quinoa Corporation and now president of Ancient Harvest and Pamela’s. “With the support of Saco, we have a great opportunity to reinvigorate these brands and expand our distribution while maintaining the high quality standards our customers and end consumers expect.”
Vital Farms has hired Joe Holland as Chief Supply Chain Officer (CSCO), beginning Sept. 1.
Holland will lead Vital Farms’ diversified supply chain team, including its egg washing and packing facility, Egg Central Station (ECS), in Springfield, Mo., its forthcoming facility in Seymour, Ind., and dairy operations for its growing butter business.
“Joe’s unwavering commitment to service, quality and cost principles will help us further innovate and deliver long-term resilience across our supply chain,” says Russell Diez-Canseco, Vital Farms’ president and CEO. “I’m excited for Joe to dig into the incredible work our supply chain team already does every day to continue expanding our leadership in ethical food and making progress towards our goal of $1 billion in net revenue by 2027.”
In the newly created CSCO role, Holland will lead Vital Farms’ supply chain and logistics, production operations, food safety quality assurance, dairy operations, and integrated business planning teams. He brings more than 25 years of experience serving in various supply chain and distribution roles at leading CPG companies including Dean Foods, Cadbury Schweppes and Ventura Foods. Most recently, Holland served as executive vice president of operations and supply chain at Curaleaf Holdings, Inc., an international provider of consumer cannabis products.
“I’m thrilled to join the Vital Farms team and contribute to the company’s continued growth as a Certified B Corporation and public benefit corporation,” Holland says. “The incredible accomplishments of the current team have laid a strong foundation, and I’m eager to build on that success. It’s inspiring to be part of a company that truly values the stakeholder model, where every decision is made with the well-being of our farmers, crew members, customers, consumers, shareholders, communities and the environment in mind. This collective focus is what drives sustainable and meaningful progress.”
Holland will assume many of the responsibilities previously held by Jason Dale, who has served as Vital Farms’ chief operating officer since 2019. Dale will remain in an advisory role with the company through the end of 2024.
“Jason leaves a great legacy. He built a dynamic team that embodies our values,” Diez-Canseco says. “I’m thankful for his numerous contributions to our culture and stakeholders. We wish Jason the best and will cheer him on in his next chapter of life and career.”
A new SPIRALFEEDER flexible screw conveyor from process equipment manufacturer Automated Flexible Conveyor features a custom design that automatically transfers fine powders that cake and clump without clogging the conveying tube.
Developed to transfer a proprietary wheat flour for a major food and nutritional product manufacturer, this portable SPIRALFEEDER features an asymmetric agitator design to continuously sweep wide swaths of powder into the hopper discharge, FDA-compliant air diffusers to reduce particle-to-particle contact, and a vibrating hopper to ensure constant movement towards the screw. The fine powders move from hopper to discharge in a first-in, first-out process in a choice of throughput rates.
Suitable for gently transferring bentonite clay, powdered sugar, starch, detergent and other non-free flowing materials and ingredients, the sanitary flexible screw conveyor also includes a hopper dust cover with dust sock to keep any fine particles enclosed in the powder transfer system. In addition, an automated low-level shutoff stops operation when the hopper is empty to prevent excessive wear on the screw conveyor and tube.
The AFC SPIRALFEEDER is custom-designed and manufactured at the company’s New Jersey facility. Product and material testing are offered in the on-site test laboratory.
CHICAGO — John Bean Technologies (JBT) Corp., a leading supplier of food safety technologies for the food and beverage industry, announced a non-binding proposal on Nov. 24 to purchase fellow food equipment company Marel for approximately $2.6 billion.
The offer will be subject to regulatory approval along with at least 90% of Marel’s shareholders agreeing to the proposal. A vote by JBT shareholders will also need to occur before the next stage of the negotiation can happen.
“JBT´s non-binding proposal is consistent with the company’s strategic plan and M&A objective of pursuing transactions with strong industrial logic and significant synergy potential while maintaining a strong balance sheet and preserving future strategic flexibility,” the company said in its statement. “JBT’s considerations are at a preliminary stage and there can be no assurance that any formal offer will be made as a result of these considerations.”
According to the proposal in Marel’s release, JBT offered the Icelandic company 3.15 euros per share which includes all Marel shares and current debt. The payment proposal would be 25% in cash and 75% in JBT shares.
The proposal stated that Marel’s shareholders would hold about 36% of JBT’s shares in the potential acquisition.
GARDABAER, ICELAND — Marel introduced a new ModularOven+, offering customizable state-of-the-art oven technology. The Marel ModularOven+ is designed to meet varied production needs with flexibility and high yield while also providing machine health monitoring.
With the ModularOven+, processors can begin with essential features and add more capacity or features as needed, such as transitioning from 500 kW to 900 kW heaters.
Drawing on over three decades of expertise in heating technology, Marel created the ModularOven+ with two separate zones, each with independent controls for temperature, dew point and air speed. The technology allows for high versatility for two different climates, whether steaming, cooking or roasting.
Equipped with an air regulation system featuring high-tech diffusers and multiple temperature sensors per zone, the ModularOven+ ensures optimal airflow, even heat distribution and ideal moisture content. The result is a consistent core temperature and reproducible quality. The system enables lower core temperature averages, leading to shorter cooking times and significant energy savings. The combination of separate climate zones and air regulation results in up to 6% higher yield compared to other comparable ovens, Marel said.
With the integrated SmartBase software, processors can proactively analyze performance, identify areas for improvement and pinpoint potential issues before they occur. This internal digital engine offers the opportunity to remotely monitor the health of the oven with support from Marel. SmartBase goes beyond visualization of the extra data it retrieves on the dashboard. Combined with predictive, standardized maintenance, SmartBase reduces unexpected downtime.
