Featured Beverage Content

41. Modernized cGMP: The Nuts And Bolts Of A Preventive Controls Food Safety Plan 11/7/2017

    Many HACCP plans are not well-integrated with prerequisite programs. Because of this, the food safety system isn't robust. In the first article of a two-part series, I will show that focusing on prerequisite programs, starting with cGMPs, is the best starting point for converting a HACCP plan into a Preventive Controls Food Safety Plan.

42. Hand Washing: The Foundation Of Reduced Microbial Contamination 10/17/2017

    Everyone knows hand washing is a basic requirement that leads to significant reductions in food safety risk. But, this basic action is often overlooked and left out of internal audits and inspections. This article describes what proper hand washing is, how to design a hand washing station, and offers advice on establishing a culture of hand washing.

43. Food Fraud: How You Can Ensure Product Integrity 10/5/2017

    Most food companies concentrate on the intentional substitution or addition of a substance in a product with verification activities, including testing, organoleptic or other on receipt testing. But, the real challenge is identifying the misrepresentation of products. What can you do to decrease your risks and boost the chances of receiving genuine, certified products?

44. 3 Food Industry Headaches And What You Can Do About Them 9/26/2017

    With the emergence of new FSMA rules and a bioengineering labeling rule in the works, the industry is going to have even more headaches to deal with. Environmental monitoring, the threat of intentional contamination of the food supply, and yet another labeling change are emerging and could be another reason for food manufacturers to reach for Tylenol.

45. Food Defense: A U.S. Army Perspective 9/20/2017

    Back in 1997, a Veterinarian, Leslie Huck, showed me a checklist he was developing. It focused on intentional contamination and it made me think about how the military is always a target for acts of violence. This article illustrates the evolution of Food Defense and provides insight into what food manufacturers can do to build and improve their Food Defense plans.

46. Progressing Cavity Pumps: Making The Most Difficult F&B Applications Simple 9/19/2017

    With the right system design, progressing cavity pumps can reduce cost, lower maintenance needs, and achieve better results in complex conveying applications within food and beverage production.

47. High Pressure Process Validation: Keeping Foods And Beverages Safe 9/12/2017

    The success of HPP by many companies demonstrates it as an effective food safety measure that can mitigate risk for a variety of foods. HPP validation and verification are also major requirements of FSMA. According to the law, validation of HPP as a kill-step is required to make sure the HPP treatment is at a level of effectiveness to ensure food safety objectives.

48. Supply Chain Transparency: Critical To Meeting Consumer Demands 9/7/2017

    Flash back to 2007 — two 20-somethings stop at a burger joint. They order and eat thinking only of taste and price. Imagine that scenario today, but with assistance from smartphones offering data on the establishment’s source of beef and other data. This column will explore how consumer demand for transparency is critical to remaining competitive.

49. Would Your Food Safety Plans Survive In Court? 8/22/2017

    Believing your food safety processes are of the highest standard isn't enough. Can you be certain every employee made the best food safety decisions every time they faced one? Can you support this with data? If not, ask another question: “Do you want to sit in front of a jury relying on a belief your company produced food at the highest possible standards?”

50. Considering In-House Food Pathogen Testing? Answer These 8 Questions 8/10/2017

    From time to time, we come across companies planning to incorporate a food microbiology lab for in-house testing. But, sometimes companies don’t understand the complexity associated with starting these labs. This article presents key questions companies should ask to help determine if an in-house food microbiology laboratory is appropriate.