A thorough and probing certification process can only be led by auditors with in-depth knowledge and sector-specific expertise, and who are able to help organisations minimise risks, improve systems and processes and deliver confidence for stakeholders throughout the food supply chain. [ + ]

Globally, food has never been safer. Driven by food scares and a heightened focus on risk mitigation, there has been a move by governments, manufacturers and retailers to join forces and put independent third-party assessment and certification at the heart of food safety. [ + ]

Plate freezing has been used in the meat, fresh produce and dairy industries for many decades, offering a range of benefits over alternative forms of freezing such as air blasting. One of Australia’s leading packaged meat exporters recently upgraded its refrigeration plant to include automated plate freezing technology. In doing so, it increased capacity by over 20% while reducing labour costs. [ + ]

The PHBOTTLE Project is an international project that aims to produce a biodegradable packaging with antioxidant properties for juice which is made from watewater sugars generated during the production of the juice. [ + ]

A new standard covering the design of steel storage racking systems was released on 29 February 2012, after the previous standard remained unchanged for 18 years. The new standard is called AS4084-2012 Steel Storage Racking. Dr Murray Clarke, Structural Design Manager, Dematic, discusses some of the key changes in the standard. [ + ]

Established in 1929, BOH Plantations in Malaysia account for 70% of all tea produced in Malaysia. In order to maintain its prime position in the domestic retail market and expand into overseas niche markets, the company recently invested in its manufacturing process using equipment from Matcon Pacific. [ + ]

Tania Seary, CEO of The Faculty, talks with WNIFT&M about procurement. [ + ]

Researchers at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) have developed a prototype system that uses advanced imaging technology and a robotic cutting arm to automatically debone chicken and other poultry products. [ + ]

Woolworths’ Bunbury meat packing plant selected Next Instruments’ MultiScan Series 3000 Food Analyser to conduct chemical lean analyses, which gives results in under three minutes. [ + ]

The development and deployment of shelf-friendly or retail-ready packaging solutions was discussed during the Coles, Woolworths and ECRA panel at the 2012 AIP National Conference. The ‘big two’ supermarket chains want to see shelf-friendly packaging as the norm and are working with ECRA to assist the industry in developing robust, sustainable solutions. [ + ]

“Improve productivity and efficiency or perish” was the crucial message in Terry O’Brien’s keynote address at the AIP’s National Conference at Surfers Paradise. As managing director of Simplot Australia, O’Brien is well qualified to discuss the ‘Implications for all stakeholders of the accelerating reduction in Australian food processing’. [ + ]

Rockwell Automation’s ControlLogix helped a large-scale New Zealand cheese manufacturer automate its cheese-slicing process. [ + ]

Ongoing maintenance issues with vinly and epoxy floor finishes led Coles to conduct a rigorous six-month trial to find a flooring solution. It selected Sikafloor-22N PurCem, a water-based polyurethane screed for its durability, slip resistance, heat resistance and resistance to food acids and fats. [ + ]

Packaging equipment company Ocme recently installed a centralised palletising plant and packing lines for wine cooperative Cavit S.C. in the Trentino region of northern Italy. [ + ]

When Wescobee Honey expanded its product lines, it needed a coder that could print on a variety of substrates and package sizes. Wescobee exports product to the Middle East and Asia, so the printer also needed to be able to code in multiple languages. The WA business turned to Matthews Intelligent Identification for a solution. [ + ]