Process Control

Sabert Acquired by Private Equity Firm

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 11:16:52 -0400

Sustainable food packaging solutions manufacturer Sabert Holding Corporation is to be acquired by Butterfly Equity. The company operates 13 manufacturing facilities globally. Sabert CEO and Founder will remain a minority investor.

PETcore Europe, KÖR Launch Initiative to Harmonize PET Food Contact Materials Safety Testing

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 11:47:37 -0400

GeNi is intended to serve as a centralized hub for interlaboratory data, enabling participants to benchmark testing performance, identify best practices, improve data comparability, and support greater consistency in testing methods across industry.

Review Explores Antimicrobial Surface Technologies to Improve Safety of Reusable Food Packaging

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Researchers examined four different antimicrobial surface technologies and evaluated their potential suitability for reusable food packaging, addressing the challenges of microbial adhesion, biofilm formation, and cross-contamination between reuse cycles.

Why Less Packaging Does Not Always Mean Less Waste: Putting Food Protection at the Center of Sustainable Design

Mon, 07 Sep 2026 11:05:02 -0400

World Packaging Day on September 6 is an opportunity to move beyond a simple choice between “more” or “less” packaging. The more useful question is whether each packaging decision supports food safety and sustainability, thereby reducing total waste across the value chain.

Oklahoma State FAPC Gives Food Industry Professionals a Hands-On Look at HPP Technology

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 10:54:15 -0400

The Hiperbaric Global Roadshow Oklahoma, hosted by Oklahoma State University’s Robert M. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center (FAPC) in September, will showcase FAPC’s newly installed Hiperbaric 55 high-pressure processing (HPP) system and connect attendees with technical and academic food safety experts.

Study Proposes Grouping Approach to Prioritize Hazardous Food Contact Chemicals, Prevent Regrettable Substitutions

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400

According to the researchers, 1,222 FCCs are already known to be hazardous to human health, and more than 13,000 lack sufficient data to determine safety. Until adequate data become available, they proposed grouping FCCs based on chemical structure to help identify substances that may pose similar hazards.

Ep. 224. Rhodes Yepsen: Balancing Food Safety, Sustainability, and Packaging Policy

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 02:30:00 -0400

In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Rhodes Yepsen, Executive Director of the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), about developments in California packaging policy and their potential implications for food processors and packaging manufacturers. Rhodes also discusses the role of compostable packaging in food waste reduction and the tradeoffs manufacturers must consider when balancing sustainability goals with food safety, product protection, and shelf-life requirements.

Tufts University Innovation Hub for Food and Materials Technologies Opening Fall 2026

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 11:53:38 -0400

The research and development center is designed to provide shared infrastructure for developing and testing emerging food technologies, biomaterials, and other products. It will offer industry, academics, and nonprofits with access to prototyping, characterization, culinary testing, and early-stage consumer testing resources.

WITT Introduces Inline MAP Leak Detection System

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 13:44:25 -0400

The LEAK-MASTER ONE is an inline system designed to detect micro-leaks of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) at production-line speeds, combining high-sensitivity leak detection with individual package testing and traceability.

Modeling Study Identifies Heat, pH Conditions to Inhibit C. botulinum Growth in Chilled Foods

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The researchers determined that probabilistic modeling could help food businesses capitalize on existing scientific data to map processing and formulation conditions for controlling non-proteolytic C. botulinum in refrigerated, processed foods of extended durability.

Fortress Introduces Integrated X-Ray and Checkweigher Combo System

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 12:38:04 -0400

The Icon X-ray and Checkweigher Combination System features algorithmic foreign material detection, real-time product flow monitoring, IA+ filtering technology, configurable reject systems, a passive X-ray cooling generator, and data management and system oversight capabilities.

Nothum Opens Solutions Studio for Processing Equipment Testing, Product Development

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 21:17:08 -0400

The facility supports product development, equipment testing, technical training, and process optimization for manufacturers producing coated food products. Customers can conduct production trials using complete processing lines configured to match their manufacturing requirements.

Sennos Launches Brewery Partnership Program Focused on Fermentation Technology

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 08:41:25 -0400

The Sennoselect Flagship Brewery Program is intended to support the development of fermentation intelligence technology. Participating craft breweries will receive early access to new technologies.

Vitsab Introduces Time-Temperature Monitoring Label for Airline Catering

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 14:14:14 -0400

FreshTag Flight Label is intended to support airline Food Safety Management Systems and Quality Management Systems by providing a visual indication of cumulative time-temperature exposure.

Investing in Food Safety is Investing in the Future of Food

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 10:00:00 -0400

Modern investments in applied food safety research infrastructure are essential to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and real-world implementation.

Tetra Pak, Axis Introduce Video Monitoring System for Ice Cream Production

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 13:20:35 -0400

The Ice Cream Video Care system uses network cameras as sensors to monitor production processes, enabling operators to remotely inspect equipment and production areas, continuously and in real time.

Lifecycle Assessment in Food Packaging: What Food Industry Professionals Need to Know

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 00:00:00 -0400

This article details how to conduct a lifecycle assessment for food packaging.

Bipartisan Bill Would Ban PFAS Food Packaging in U.S.

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 08:29:08 -0400

The Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act (H.R. 9593) would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to prohibit food packaging containing intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances, a.k.a. “forever chemicals.”

Allergen Bureau to Update VITAL Online, Reflecting Latest International Guidance

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 12:37:02 -0400

The VITAL Program and VITAL Online identify allergens that require labeling consideration, whether due to intentional inclusion or cross-contact. The update includes changes to tree nut grouping and gluten-containing cereal labeling in line with Codex reference doses (RfDs).

Eagle Introduces Pack 1000 PRO for X-Ray Inspection of Large Cases, Multipacks

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 12:11:04 -0400

The system provides 1,000 millimeters of inspection coverage and supports belt speeds of up to 76 meters per minute. An optional integrated barcode reader enables inspection of mixed cases and supports multilane production environments.

Danish Researchers Propose Voluntary Labeling Scheme for Listeria-Stabilized RTE Foods

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

The label claim “STABILIZED” would indicate that a ready-to-eat (RTE) product had been formulated or processed to inhibit Listeria monocytogenes growth. The researchers advocate for formulation and process changes as listeriosis rates climb in Europe and stricter EU Listeria regulations come into effect.

Natural vs. Artificial Ingredients in Baking: What Food Manufacturers and Consumers Need to Know

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 10:00:00 -0400

Sprinkles may seem like a minor decorative detail on a birthday cake or holiday cookie, but they sit at the intersection of several fast-moving regulatory concerns: the phaseout of certain FD&C dyes, the clean label movement, allergen management, and GMO transparency.

Food Safety Five Ep. 34: Scientific Advances Addressing C. botulinum in Food

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 05:30:00 -0400

This episode of Food Safety Five covers a novel detection method for Clostridium botulinum and a potential new processing approach to mitigate contamination, as well as growing discussion around how C. botulinum should be handled in infant formula manufacturing, spurred by recent botulism outbreaks.

USDA Researcher Identifies Key Cold Storage Temperature for Maintaining Microbial Safety of Work-in-Process Fresh-Cut Produce

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 05:30:00 -0400

The Center for Produce Safety (CPS)-funded study also found that some produce items may naturally inhibit Listeria monocytogenes growth and that peracetic acid may sometimes promote Listeria growth during storage.

California Law Standardizing ‘Best By’ Dates Now in Effect: What Packaged Food Manufacturers Need to Know

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Starting July 1, companies selling packaged foods in California must include food safety and quality dates using specific terminology. “Sell By” and other expiration date terms not specified in AB 660 are prohibited.

USDA-FSIS Announces Pilot Program to Evaluate Salmonella Control Strategies in Raw Poultry Establishments

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 07:30:30 -0400

As part of the pilot, FSIS plans to evaluate a shortened moving window for Salmonella performance standards.

Product Testing Suggests USDA-FSIS Regulations for C. perfringens in Meat May Be ‘Overly Conservative’

hendersonb@bnpmedia.com (Bailee Henderson) — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Real-world data from meat processors show Clostridium perfringens is rarely detected in fully cooked meat and poultry products and remains uncommon even when deviations from USDA-FSIS Appendix B parameters are reported, challenging assumptions underlying regulatory limits for growth during stabilization.

Honey Sold in EU Must Now Carry Countries of Origin on Label

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

New EU labeling regulations for honey went into effect on June 14, introducing strengthened requirements for country-of-origin declarations.

Researchers Find Plant Extract Effectively Removes Microplastics from Drinking Water

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

Moringa oleifera seed extract could potentially serve as a sustainable alternative to conventional alum coagulants for microplastic removal in drinking water treatments, while also allowing for process simplification and cost savings.

Pressure-Assisted Thermal Processing Plus Antimicrobials Show Promise for Inactivating Clostridium botulinum in Food

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 05:00:00 -0400

In carrot puree, a low-acid matrix, heat plus pressure achieved significant spore reductions, while cationic antimicrobials enhanced sporicidal effects and prevented regrowth. The hurdle approach offers a potential alternative to conventional thermal processing at severe temperatures, which can degrade food quality.