Articles
Bindaree Beef beats the carbon tax
A more energy-efficient rendering plant and directing all of its organic waste through a digester to generate clean energy from biogas will reduce Bindaree Beef’s carbon emissions by 95% and deliver annual operating cost savings of $2.44 million. [ + ]
In-house PET production saves more than just time
Coca-Cola Amatil has tightened its supply chain by changing over to in-house production of PET containers, preforms and closures as part of its $629 Project Zero initiative. [ + ]
Minimising unplanned downtime, acoustically
Flour milling specialist Whitworth Bros Ltd is minimising unplanned downtime and optimising scheduled maintenance with the MHC-Memo Pro acoustic monitoring system from Holroyd. [ + ]
MicroZap, macro effect
Microwaves could have a greater impact than just consumer convenience. MicroZap technology can extend the shelf life of fresh bread to 60 days - a result that could have positive implications for global food waste and food safety. [ + ]
Colour coding keeps company clean
To achieve its stated aim of becoming “one of the most hygienically clean and professional working bakeries in the world,” Ferguson Plarre Bakehouses has implemented Vikan’s colour-coded cleaning hygiene system in its production facility. [ + ]
Energy savings filter through for oil manufacturer
Cold-pressed oil manufacturer Proteco Gold received a $51,400 grant to upgrade its filtration system, which will reduce its carbon emissions intensity by 13.4% and reduce its annual $150,000 electricity bill. [ + ]
Detection of illegal cooking oils in China
In recent years in China, illegal cooking oil incidents have led to serious food safety risks and negative social repercussions. The illegal cooking oils include the refined waste oil from restaurants, repeatedly used oil and waste animal fats. Because such cooking oils may contain toxic polymers, peroxide and so on, they can be dangerous to human health. [ + ]
Using NIRS to determine shelf life
As part of a feasibility study, Barilla tested NIRS from BUCHI as a screening technology to quickly measure total moisture, water activity and ethanol content to determine shelf stability in bakery products.
[ + ]Smart bottle ignites beer packaging world
Heineken has launched Ignite, the world’s first smart beer bottle, which can interact with other Ignite bottles, its environment and the people around it using microsensors and wireless networking technology. [ + ]
The battle between good and bad bacteria in the gut
A new study that examined food poisoning infection ‘as it happens’ in mice revealed harmful bacteria, such as a common type of Salmonella, takes over beneficial bacteria within the gut amid previously unseen changes to the gut environment. The results provide new insights into the course of infection and could lead to better prevention or new treatments. [ + ]
How packaging can reduce food waste
Packaging plays a vital role in the food industry and now new Australian research has established how this role can be extended to assist in minimising food waste. [ + ]
Swedish retailer keeps cool in the sun
Dagab’s cold storage warehouse is powered by 407 solar cells, which generate 87,000 kWh electricity per year - roughly the amount of energy required to heat five average-sized homes. [ + ]
Humidity reduces carcass weight loss
The JetSpray humidifier is helping GM Steel reduce carcass moisture loss after slaughter by up to 1.5%. By maintaining a consistently high humidity in the chill-down area, GM steel has been able to reduce moisture loss from 2.5% to less than 1%. [ + ]
Printing space food
As astronauts journey deeper and deeper into space, space agencies are finding they need to modify life support systems, including how to feed the crew. NASA is conducting a feasibility study into using 3D printing of food for long space voyages. [ + ]
Creating high-value products from leftovers
For around every 4 L of olive oil that’s pressed, about 17 kg of pomace is left behind. These leftovers typically have low-value uses. But US engineers are working with growers and processors in California to find new, environmentally friendly and profitable uses for pomace. [ + ]