| The National Provisioner

Processors ‘HAV’ to be prepared

September 5, 2012

On Aug. 14, 2012, the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) issued Directive 5,000.6, “Performance of the Hazard Analysis Verification (HAV) Task."

Poultry Perspectives: Grab a mic

John Starkey

September 11, 2012

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“Transparency” has become a hot buzzword in the last few years.

Beef biz better off without big government

Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.)

September 7, 2012

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When my friends in Washington, D.C., ask me about Florida, like many people outside the state, they often think of Florida only for its sunshine and beaches.

The validation vex

Shawn K. Stevens

September 6, 2012

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The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has been working for months now on a new approach to validate the effectiveness of existing Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems.

A slow drip

Drought strikes farmers and protein processors hard, and will ripple through the food chain.

Dan Emery

September 3, 2012

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It’s time once again — an election year is here, which in turn affects the current administration’s decision-making process.

Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. expands production of its Open Prairie Natural Angus® beef brand to the company’s Pasco, Wash., facility in response to increased consumer demand for natural beef on the “Left Coast.”

Andy Hanacek

September 26, 2012

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During the early stages of human history, “following the herd” was a strategy of survival ...

Watching the detection

Improvements to X-ray and metal detection systems help keep hard-to-find contaminants from reaching the consumer.

Sam Gazdziak

September 19, 2012

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Between the field, the transportation, the slaughterhouse, the processing and the further processing, there are dozens of places where a foreign object can become embedded in the meat tissue.

Protein Problem Solver: Automated washing of totes, buggies and vats plays critical role

September 21, 2012

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Hygiene mandates in food production and packaging facilities continue to be a critical focus of processors and regulators, yet some companies still cling to cumbersome and less-than-effective methods of washing and sanitizing containers used in the process stream.

Innovation in renewable packaging materials

Chip Bolton

September 20, 2012

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“Sustainability is a throw-around word.” An experienced product developer told me this recently.

Meat Science Review: Guidelines for measuring meat color

Melvin C. Hunt Andy King

September 10, 2012

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Consumers routinely use product color and appearance to select or reject products, and suppliers of muscle food products must also create and maintain the desired color attributes.

Gums, fiber, starches: Keeping it together

Gums, fibers and starches add taste, texture and satiety, while also providing health benefits, but are consumers comfortable with them?

Megan Pellegrini

September 17, 2012

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It may be possible soon due to science, as protein producers use gums, fibers and starches to add health benefits and taste to their products.

Automating safety through clean-in-place systems

Clean-in-place and open-plant cleaning systems are utilizing automation and improved chemicals to improve sanitation and sustainability.

Megan Pellegrini

September 13, 2012

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Change is coming as clean-in-place and open-plant cleaning systems embrace sustainability measures and add more automation.

Formulation Strategies: Nostalgia vs. novelty

Waging the battle of traditional versus unique in product development in side dish and appetizer categories.

Olivia Sant' Angelo

September 12, 2012

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Innova Market Insights looks at new product introductions in the side dishes or accompaniments sector.

Eight rules for setting meaningful and achievable sustainability goals

Leigh Ann Johnston

September 14, 2012

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Eight tips the author has found beneficial as Tyson Foods’ sustainability goal-setting process has matured.

2012 Plant of the Year

Universal Pasteurization Co., Lincoln, Neb.

Andy Hanacek

September 25, 2012

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We’ve created a new annual award — our Plant of the Year — and asked our readers, Web site visitors and industry contacts to vote, choosing from the list of processing facilities visited by NP from January 2011 through June 2012.

Wastewater treatment programs advance

Elizabeth Fuhrman

September 18, 2012

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Increasing demands placed on processing facilities are many, but wastewater remains a battle as new regulations and challenges impact facilities every year.