High pressure processing, pulsed electric fields, microwaves — these technologies (collectively referred to as “advanced processing technologies”) aren’t widely commercialized in the United States…yet. But, as processors work to meet the demands of consumers who want high-quality, natural foods without unpronounceable ingredients, interest in advanced technologies is growing. To learn more about these three technologies […]

Microwave Processing – Description             While in-home microwaves have been common in the U.S. since the late 1960s, larger-scale industrial processing using either batch or continuous microwave systems has been commercialized relatively recently.  Microwaves can preserve fruits and vegetables by heating, pasteurizing and sterilizing foods using electromagnetic radiation in the microwave frequency range.  This energy […]

5 Ready-To-Use Minimal Preservation Technologies for Fruit, Vegetable and Nut Based Cold Pressed Juices There is a big buzz about the benefits of cold pressed fruit and vegetable juices and nut based beverages. The premium cold-pressed industry has been valued at an estimated $3.4 billion and is expected to experience a strong growth in the […]

Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2015) recommended to consume at least 2.5 cups of vegetables and 2 cups of fruits daily (Based on 2000 kcal/day diet) as they provide many health benefits including prevention of chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, cancer, diabetes.  Health promoting effects of fruits and vegetables have been attributed to their […]

How does it preserve fruits & vegetables?  Consumer interests in healthier and fresher foods have driven much of the interest in ‘advanced’ preservation methods, such as pulsed electric field (PEF) processing, which are safe but at the same time capable of imparting fresh-like characteristics to processed food. Pulsed electric field (PEF) treatments of less than […]

Healthy Promoting Properties and Thermal Processing The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2015) recommend that adults consume at least 2.5 cups of vegetables and 2 cups of fruits daily (Based on 2000 kcal/day diet) as they provide many health benefits including prevention of chronic diseases such as coronary heart disease, cancer, diabetes. The health promoting effects […]

Does it really make fruit and vegetable products ‘better’?   2016 Market for High pressure processing High pressure processing (HPP) is one of the most accepted and mainstream of the various ‘advanced processes’ being explored for improved quality and nutrient content in high-value foods. According to Visiongain (https://www.visiongain.com/Report/1623/Food-High-Pressure-Processing-(HPP)-Technologies-Market-2016-2026) , in 2016 the value of the […]

Every food manufacturing process creates solid waste. What to do with that waste is a perpetual question in the industry. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been a very high-priority question. Respondents to Food Processing magazine’s 2014 annual manufacturing trends survey ranked solid waste and wastewater management among their lowest priorities. It makes sense, perhaps, that companies focus […]

Consumer demand for premium products is changing the face of the food processing industry, from ingredients to packaging to equipment. Twenty-first-century consumers expect not only premium quality, but a degree of personalization that speaks to their particular health needs, tastes, and lifestyle. Andy Juarez deals with the day-to-day ramifications of the soaring popularity of premium […]

PROCESS EXPO | Expert in Residence The Right Wastewater for the Right Job Chris Simmons | UC Davis Not all wastewaters in food processing are created equal. Wastewater properties are as varied as the products and unit operations in food processing. However, wastewater streams, also called effluents, from different operations within a food processing facility […]