The National Provisioner

Check out the April 2020 edition of The National Provisioner: 2020 Sourcebook, portion control trends, spare parts know-how, sanitization, food safety and much more!

Special Report | Portion Control Trends

Trimming the fat: pre-portioned meats offer ease and convenience

Megan Pellegrini

April 1, 2020

No Comments

Before the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, consumers were buying a wide variety of meat cuts, from pre-portioned to bulk. The next few months may either see skewed consumer purchasing decisions or reinforce tried-and-true options.

Tech | Spare parts know-how

Playing by the (right) rules?

Phillip Slater

March 9, 2020

No Comments

It is almost impossible to be successful in any activity if you don’t fully understand the rules that govern success. By rules, I mean the way different elements of the activity interact and influence each other in order to achieve your goals.

Commentary | Fight for Food Safety

COVID-19: Contractual Protection of "Force Majeure" Clauses

Shawn K. Stevens

April 3, 2020

No Comments

There remains a great deal of uncertainty in the world right now. That uncertainty extends to all aspects of our lives, including our businesses. Setting aside the personal toll taken by the spread of the novel coronavirus and resultant COVID-19 pandemic, businesses are struggling because of disruptions caused by mandatory closures, travel bans, quarantines and worker shortages.

Commentary | Regulations & Legislation

Operations during COVID-19

April 6, 2020

No Comments

Although much of the United States had been shut down at presstime, to slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the country is depending on food manufacturers, distributors and grocery stores to stay in operation.

Tech | Ingredients

Natural antioxidants expand

Elizabeth Fuhrman

April 1, 2020

No Comments

Several companies recently started using natural antioxidants and limiting the use of synthetic versions, such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) or butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT).

Tech | Packaging

Meat and poultry labels: under review

FSIS is evaluating and proposing changes to meat and poultry labels.

Megan Pellegrini

March 16, 2020

No Comments

Since Executive Order 13777 Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda was signed in 2017, Regulatory Reform Task Forces have evaluated and proposed changes to existing regulations to repeal, replace and modify cumbersome requirements. Several labeling requirements for meat and poultry products are under review.

Tech | Ingredients

Multi-functional, natural antimicrobials

Elizabeth Fuhrman

April 1, 2020

No Comments

Processors continue to increase the use of natural antimicrobial ingredients as they move toward cleaner labels. Identifying these natural compounds or groups of compounds that function singularly or together to be effective as antimicrobial systems in their products remains a top development area for them, says Jeff Sindelar, extension meat specialist and associate professor in Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Tech| Food Safety

Sanitizing: The potentially heavy cost of cleaning

Mishandling and misusing sanitizing chemicals can have severe ramifications for meat and poultry processing plant workers.

Richard Mitchell

March 12, 2020

No Comments

Sanitizing meat and poultry plants must be done, but it can be perilous.

Tech | Processing

Processors can reduce injuries

Processors can reduce injuries to workers using cutting equipment by implementing and enforcing safety guidelines.

Richard Mitchell

April 8, 2020

No Comments

Operating band saws, knives and slicing and dicing equipment requires a sharp focus if meat- and poultry-processing workers are to be safe and productive.