Test This Out!
Trade shows are popular venues for sampling new product development tools. This year’s IFT Annual Meeting + Food Expo, and the upcoming International Dairy Show are no exception.
Trade shows are popular venues for sampling new product development tools. This year’s IFT Annual Meeting + Food Expo, and the upcoming International Dairy Show (see p. 62) are no exception.
Here are some highlights from IFT.
A new portable pH measuring instrument designed for use in the food and beverage industry is ideal for anyone working on a tight budget and requires rapid and reliable results. It features storage capacity for up to 30 measurements, including automatic endpoint recognition and calibration with automatic buffer recognition. Operation is easy and intuitive with dedicated buttons for starting and ending a measurement and for saving and accessing measurements and the latest calibration data. ( www.mt.com)
A rapid protein analyzer using the Dumas method is designed for accuracy, simplicity and economical operation. Components of this simple construction work together to provide a stable, fast, dependable, low-cost instrument yielding a rugged, accurate determinator with much less downtime and reduced maintenance. The device analyzes the total gas from the analysis for greater accuracy of macro samples while utilizing less ultra-pure gas. Using a sample size range of 50 to 300 milligrams, the clever design of the furnace in combination with the direct analysis of all resulting gases provides the user with accurate results in two to three minutes. ( www.alpharesources.com)
An innovative solution for non-contact rheology measurements uses diffusing wave spectroscopy technology and the microrheology concept. The instrument allows for the evaluation of the viscoelasticity properties at rest (non-intrusive method), the evolution of the viscoelasticity properties, such as gelation, over time, and thixotropic behavior, or how and how fast a sample recovers its final viscoelastic properties after a solicitation and at rest (no shear after the solicitation). ( www.formulaction.com)
A portable, handheld spectrometer weighs only 7.4 ounces, enabling users to go directly to the sample source. Applications include testing water quality, monitoring agriculture, measuring dyes and colorants, performing quality assurance and control, collecting rapid data and complete chemical analysis. The instrument conducts absorbance and transmission measurements. A full visible spectrum of a liquid sample is captured and stored within the device for later uploading to a computer. Up to 500 spectra can be further processed with the software, which allows users to create custom measurement methods to download data into the device. A food and beverage package is available for common process and quality applications, including custom color analysis, batch verification, process QA/QC and colorimetric reactions. ( www.coleparmer.com)
A new powder flow tester delivers quick and easy analysis of powder flow behavior in industrial processing equipment. It is ideal for manufacturers who process powders daily and want to minimize or eliminate the downtime and expense that occur when hoppers or silos fail to discharge. With the new tester, customers can also perform quality control checks on incoming materials, quickly characterize new formulations for flowability and adjust composition to match the flow behavior of established products. The instrument features a variety of test options including flow function, time consolidation, wall friction and bulk density. Time estimates for duration of each test are automatically calculated before start of test in case adjustments are needed. The operator also has a choice of graphical or tabular data output format for each test plus calculations for arching dimension, rathole diameter and hopper half-angle. The instrument includes software, all accessories for handling powder samples and features a small footprint that fits conveniently on a benchtop. ( www.brookfieldengineering.com)
A viscometer using high-precision torque cell technology can measure the viscosity of Newtonian and non-Newtonian materials. The device is used to evaluate a wide range of materials for the laboratory, production and quality control. It can be used to measure apparent viscosity and perceived difference in the flow properties of fluids, pastes, slurries and semi-solids with particulates. Further, it may be used to characterize the flow behavior of materials and to predict consistency, processing ability or stability. The instrument offers a wide measurement range, from a few centipoises up to 700,000 centipoises. ( www.cwbrabender.com)
A two-in-one waterproof infrared thermometer for food safety and HACCP temperature monitoring is specifically designed for monitoring cooking and holding temperatures. It features a built-in stainless steel K-type thermocouple probe that folds into the side of the instrument when not in use. ( www.weberscientific.com)
A moisture analyzer can measure both moisture content and water activity on a single sample. The meter doesn’t require chemicals or high temperatures. Instead, an infrared beam focused on a tiny mirror determines the precise dew point temperature of the sample. That measurement is then translated into moisture content and water activity readings using the moisture sorption isotherm - the specific moisture fingerprint - of the product or ingredient. ( www.aqualab.com)
A new approach to pressurized digestion features high speed, ease of use, automation of sample processing and the ability to run priority samples. The system can process a typical 0.5 gram sample of organic material in 10 minutes or less, including cool down, in a sequential format that allows individual method programming for each sample. The system incorporates automated pressure control and a novel vessel design that features a secure snap-on cap for ease of use. It has individual pressure and temperature control and individual programming for each sample. The system may be set up to run unattended or overnight. The programmed samples can be interrupted to run a priority sample with the previous program resuming after the priority sample is run. The system’s D software provides documentation for traceability of samples. ( www.cem.com)
A new infrared digestion system combines a high level automation with precise temperature control. The automation and shortened digestion times dramatically increase throughput while reducing operating costs. The system is pre-programmed with 20 of the most commonly used methods and can store up to 50 methods total. A display screen graphically depicts the set and actual temperatures of the current digestion. The newly designed heating chamber efficiently distributes heat to every sample, resulting in reproducible digestions without foaming. Safety is of the utmost importance so the system features a tight exhaust manifold that removes harmful digestion vapors. The instrument can be used with 300 milliliter sample tubes for standard Kjeldahl methods as well as 500 milliliter sample tubes for the larger volumes of environmental samples. ( www.mybuchi.com)
Must See Sessions at the International Dairy Show
Rapid Microbial Detection Systems
Tues., Sept. 14, 8:00 to 8:50am
Dairy customers and new federal and state regulations affecting the food industry are requiring more microbiological product testing, with product held until the testing results are available. Rapid microbiological testing is advancing rapidly and all dairy companies should utilize this new technology to address existing customer needs as well as to position themselves for new customers. Rapid microbiological testing also reduces product hold time at processing plants and can improve process control of dairy products.
Full Dairy Traceability
Tues., Sept. 14, 9:00 to 9:50am
Feeling the pressure to provide full traceability and transparency on products and ingredients? Tracing ingredients is getting easier, but there are still limitations to tracking all process steps that a dairy product takes from farm to ‘fridge. Learn what’s available now and what’s on the horizon to provide full dairy traceability. View a live demonstration of traceability software.
21st Century Regulatory Environment
Wed., Sept. 15, 8:00 to 8:50am
What changes will your dairy company need to make to come into compliance with new federal food safety legislation? How will the substantial updating of FDA’s Good Manufacturing Practices, the new 2009 FDA Reportable Food Registry and FDA’s Food Transportation initiative affect your operations? Food safety and defense has the potential to be the most important game changer in the dairy industry. Learn what you need to do to be prepared for significant new oversight and scrutiny of your dairy plant processing operations.
Wave of the Future: Regulatory & Technology Hurdles for Shelf-Stable Dairy Beverages
Wed., Sept. 15, 9:00 to 9:50am
In response to expanding market demand, the dairy industry is using newer aseptic processing and packaging systems with higher production volumes and increased energy efficiencies. Will FDA’s modernized regulations change aseptic processing and filing requirements? What will be the impact of NCIMS’ updated national regulations that apply to all aseptically processed and packaged Grade A systems? Get the latest on aseptic processing technology and regulatory updates to maintain and improve your competitive edge.
Here are some highlights from IFT.
A new portable pH measuring instrument designed for use in the food and beverage industry is ideal for anyone working on a tight budget and requires rapid and reliable results. It features storage capacity for up to 30 measurements, including automatic endpoint recognition and calibration with automatic buffer recognition. Operation is easy and intuitive with dedicated buttons for starting and ending a measurement and for saving and accessing measurements and the latest calibration data. ( www.mt.com)
A rapid protein analyzer using the Dumas method is designed for accuracy, simplicity and economical operation. Components of this simple construction work together to provide a stable, fast, dependable, low-cost instrument yielding a rugged, accurate determinator with much less downtime and reduced maintenance. The device analyzes the total gas from the analysis for greater accuracy of macro samples while utilizing less ultra-pure gas. Using a sample size range of 50 to 300 milligrams, the clever design of the furnace in combination with the direct analysis of all resulting gases provides the user with accurate results in two to three minutes. ( www.alpharesources.com)
An innovative solution for non-contact rheology measurements uses diffusing wave spectroscopy technology and the microrheology concept. The instrument allows for the evaluation of the viscoelasticity properties at rest (non-intrusive method), the evolution of the viscoelasticity properties, such as gelation, over time, and thixotropic behavior, or how and how fast a sample recovers its final viscoelastic properties after a solicitation and at rest (no shear after the solicitation). ( www.formulaction.com)
A portable, handheld spectrometer weighs only 7.4 ounces, enabling users to go directly to the sample source. Applications include testing water quality, monitoring agriculture, measuring dyes and colorants, performing quality assurance and control, collecting rapid data and complete chemical analysis. The instrument conducts absorbance and transmission measurements. A full visible spectrum of a liquid sample is captured and stored within the device for later uploading to a computer. Up to 500 spectra can be further processed with the software, which allows users to create custom measurement methods to download data into the device. A food and beverage package is available for common process and quality applications, including custom color analysis, batch verification, process QA/QC and colorimetric reactions. ( www.coleparmer.com)
A new powder flow tester delivers quick and easy analysis of powder flow behavior in industrial processing equipment. It is ideal for manufacturers who process powders daily and want to minimize or eliminate the downtime and expense that occur when hoppers or silos fail to discharge. With the new tester, customers can also perform quality control checks on incoming materials, quickly characterize new formulations for flowability and adjust composition to match the flow behavior of established products. The instrument features a variety of test options including flow function, time consolidation, wall friction and bulk density. Time estimates for duration of each test are automatically calculated before start of test in case adjustments are needed. The operator also has a choice of graphical or tabular data output format for each test plus calculations for arching dimension, rathole diameter and hopper half-angle. The instrument includes software, all accessories for handling powder samples and features a small footprint that fits conveniently on a benchtop. ( www.brookfieldengineering.com)
A viscometer using high-precision torque cell technology can measure the viscosity of Newtonian and non-Newtonian materials. The device is used to evaluate a wide range of materials for the laboratory, production and quality control. It can be used to measure apparent viscosity and perceived difference in the flow properties of fluids, pastes, slurries and semi-solids with particulates. Further, it may be used to characterize the flow behavior of materials and to predict consistency, processing ability or stability. The instrument offers a wide measurement range, from a few centipoises up to 700,000 centipoises. ( www.cwbrabender.com)
A two-in-one waterproof infrared thermometer for food safety and HACCP temperature monitoring is specifically designed for monitoring cooking and holding temperatures. It features a built-in stainless steel K-type thermocouple probe that folds into the side of the instrument when not in use. ( www.weberscientific.com)
A moisture analyzer can measure both moisture content and water activity on a single sample. The meter doesn’t require chemicals or high temperatures. Instead, an infrared beam focused on a tiny mirror determines the precise dew point temperature of the sample. That measurement is then translated into moisture content and water activity readings using the moisture sorption isotherm - the specific moisture fingerprint - of the product or ingredient. ( www.aqualab.com)
A new approach to pressurized digestion features high speed, ease of use, automation of sample processing and the ability to run priority samples. The system can process a typical 0.5 gram sample of organic material in 10 minutes or less, including cool down, in a sequential format that allows individual method programming for each sample. The system incorporates automated pressure control and a novel vessel design that features a secure snap-on cap for ease of use. It has individual pressure and temperature control and individual programming for each sample. The system may be set up to run unattended or overnight. The programmed samples can be interrupted to run a priority sample with the previous program resuming after the priority sample is run. The system’s D software provides documentation for traceability of samples. ( www.cem.com)
A new infrared digestion system combines a high level automation with precise temperature control. The automation and shortened digestion times dramatically increase throughput while reducing operating costs. The system is pre-programmed with 20 of the most commonly used methods and can store up to 50 methods total. A display screen graphically depicts the set and actual temperatures of the current digestion. The newly designed heating chamber efficiently distributes heat to every sample, resulting in reproducible digestions without foaming. Safety is of the utmost importance so the system features a tight exhaust manifold that removes harmful digestion vapors. The instrument can be used with 300 milliliter sample tubes for standard Kjeldahl methods as well as 500 milliliter sample tubes for the larger volumes of environmental samples. ( www.mybuchi.com)
Must See Sessions at the International Dairy Show
Rapid Microbial Detection Systems
Tues., Sept. 14, 8:00 to 8:50am
Dairy customers and new federal and state regulations affecting the food industry are requiring more microbiological product testing, with product held until the testing results are available. Rapid microbiological testing is advancing rapidly and all dairy companies should utilize this new technology to address existing customer needs as well as to position themselves for new customers. Rapid microbiological testing also reduces product hold time at processing plants and can improve process control of dairy products.
Full Dairy Traceability
Tues., Sept. 14, 9:00 to 9:50am
Feeling the pressure to provide full traceability and transparency on products and ingredients? Tracing ingredients is getting easier, but there are still limitations to tracking all process steps that a dairy product takes from farm to ‘fridge. Learn what’s available now and what’s on the horizon to provide full dairy traceability. View a live demonstration of traceability software.
21st Century Regulatory Environment
Wed., Sept. 15, 8:00 to 8:50am
What changes will your dairy company need to make to come into compliance with new federal food safety legislation? How will the substantial updating of FDA’s Good Manufacturing Practices, the new 2009 FDA Reportable Food Registry and FDA’s Food Transportation initiative affect your operations? Food safety and defense has the potential to be the most important game changer in the dairy industry. Learn what you need to do to be prepared for significant new oversight and scrutiny of your dairy plant processing operations.
Wave of the Future: Regulatory & Technology Hurdles for Shelf-Stable Dairy Beverages
Wed., Sept. 15, 9:00 to 9:50am
In response to expanding market demand, the dairy industry is using newer aseptic processing and packaging systems with higher production volumes and increased energy efficiencies. Will FDA’s modernized regulations change aseptic processing and filing requirements? What will be the impact of NCIMS’ updated national regulations that apply to all aseptically processed and packaged Grade A systems? Get the latest on aseptic processing technology and regulatory updates to maintain and improve your competitive edge.
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