The company said the metal detection systems are designed to identify contaminants in a range of food manufacturing applications, with SENSE software extending intelligent control across the entire system.

LUTZ, Fla. — Mettler-Toledo Product Inspection launched a next-generation series of metal detection systems designed specifically for small- and medium-sized manufacturers and/or co-packers. The modular design of the fully integrated system can be adapted over time in line with evolving compliance and productivity needs. The company said that this positions the M30 R-Series GC as an ideal entry-level metal detection solution for manufacturers who value high performance with future-proof flexibility built in.

Where the new metal detection systems really stand out from competitor solutions is in the digital platform, said Mettler-Toledo, powered by new smart, SENSETM software. This, combined with advanced algorithms, makes it possible for these entry-level models to deliver high sensitivity to all metal contaminant types with minimal false rejects. Dynamic Stability Control innovations stabilize the core sensor of the metal detector to help protect against environmental noise and vibration interference for increased reliability. The entry-level M30 R-series GC systems are designed on a modular platform concept with streamlined features as standard. The metal detector and conveyor can be easily upgraded as compliance or production requirements change. This helps manufacturers to achieve a lower overall cost of ownership and extend the useful life of their equipment, supporting sustainability aims.

“SENSETM really is a game-changer in the metal detection field,” said Mike Bradley, metal detection systems product inspection specialist, Mettler-Toledo Product Inspection. “Just like a human brain, it commands the neural network within these digital inspection systems and integrated GC Series conveyors. SENSETM takes control of the entire metal detection system to unprecedented levels, making judgements and decisions, learning all the time, and constantly harmonizing and optimizing every aspect of the operation.”

The M30 R-Series is the first product family from Mettler-Toledo Product Inspection built around the leading-edge SENSE software technology, bringing new levels of intelligence and sophistication to the mid-market metal detection field, the company said. The full-color touchscreen aims to make operation simple, with key tasks accessible using the quick access menu. Localization at individual user level, including a choice of 33 languages as standard, reduces error risk and improves productivity. The new metal detection systems have a rugged, industrial design, and offer three levels of ingress protection from IP65 to IP69K to support long-term, reliable performance in a wide range of manufacturing environments.

The M30 R-Series consists of four metal detector models matched to different production and compliance needs, and budget considerations:

The metal detectors can be integrated with a wide range of conveyor systems, including Mettler-Toledo’s recently enhanced GC Series systems. This modular conveyor system solution now includes new features such as extended belt lengths, a non-hollow frame option and a wider range of reject devices including an overhead sweep and retracting band.

“Food processors, FMCG manufacturers and co-packers have long thought that to acquire advanced metal detection capabilities they would have to spend a lot of money on a high-end system,” Bradley said. “With the launch of our M30 R-Series metal detection systems that is no longer the case. They can now invest in a smart, digital metal detection system that gives them highly advanced capabilities at an attractive price. Along with the intelligent inspection capability, they will also benefit from the robust reliability that Mettler-Toledo is renowned for, as well as being certain that their investment is future-proofed and able to develop with their own needs. This is next-generation metal detection that will protect their brand, their processes and their profits."

The global packaged food market was valued at $2.7 trillion in 2018 and is expected to reach $3.86 trillion by 2026, according to Straits Research.

FLORIDA — According to Straits Research, the packaged food market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.56% in the forecast period from 2020 to 2026.

The global packaged food market is expected to reach $3.86 trillion by 2026. 

A consumer’s buying behavior plays a vital role in the growth of packaged food market. For a couple of years, consumers have been tilted towards convenient food, said Straits. A fast-paced, hectic lifestyle, time constraints for meal preparations, developing e-commerce and rising disposable income, have boosted the packaged food sales. Moreover, increasing preference for convenience is expected to bolster the demand further.

COVID-19: Invokes Consumers to Prefer Packaged Food

The pandemic has dramatically affected people's lifestyle and their buying behaviors. Subsequent lockdown triggered panic buying among people, growing the demand for packaged food products. Customers shifted towards healthy and natural food, thus encouraging packaged food companies to expand their portfolios. As a result, packaged food products such as ready-to-eat food, intermediary food items and frozen food demand surged during the lockdown. Consumers stockpiled ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook products during the initial phases of lockdown. 

Further, the lockdown encouraged e-commerce. According to the Department of Agriculture (USDA), India’s online grocery markets grew by nearly 80%, estimating $2.66 billion in 2020. The pandemic has invoked people to re-think their eating habits. Thus, the demand for packaged food is expected to increase further.

Packaged Food Market by Product Type

High Consumption of Baby Products. Based on product type, the packaged food market is segmented into ingredients and extracts, baby products, bakery and confectionery, oils and fats, etc. Among these, baby products dominate the market of packaged food. Baby products have witnessed a prominent growth due to the increasing number of working parents and growing awareness of nutritional benefits for infants and toddlers.

Packaged Food Market by Distribution Channel

E-retails Foster the Growth of Packaged Food Products. Hypermarkets and supermarkets are the prominent distribution channels of packaged food products. Food under one roof and fast shopping are the two main factors driving the packaged food demand. 

In India and China, the concept of packaged food and convenience has increased rapidly. People are now more aware and tilted towards organized retailing. Physical experience is one of the reasons why a consumer visits the supermarket. As more people get vaccinated, shopping centers will experience more customers.

The e-commerce sector, which was already booming, saw a sudden increase in sales during the pandemic. During the pandemic, many grocers shifted their business online to promote no-contact shopping. According to UNCTAD, the online retail sector grew its sales from 16% to 19% in 2020. 

Packaged Food Market by Regions

Inclination Towards Ready-to-Eat Food Products in APAC. Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at a faster rate due to the increasing awareness and rising e-commerce industry. China is the major region for food packaging and accounts for almost half of the supply in the provincial market. India, Japan, South Korea are among the fastest-growing countries, inclining towards ready-to-eat food products. According to the IBEF, India is expected to become the third-largest online retail market by 2030 after the U.S. and China.

The 11-week proof of concept saw Bio-Fence antimicrobial coatings applied to the floor and lower part of walls of a hot dog peeling room in a major sausage manufacturing facility in Israel.

ASHDOD, Israel — According to Bio-Fence, a new pilot program showed all traces of Listeria in a highly sensitive food production environment were completely eliminated. The 11-week proof of concept saw Bio-Fence antimicrobial coatings applied to the floor and lower part of walls of a hot dog peeling room in a major sausage manufacturing facility in Israel. Despite repeated, strict cleaning and disinfection routines, the facility had a continuous pre-pilot presence of Listeria, particularly on the production floor.

During the three-week control phase prior to the application of the Bio-Fence coating, Listeria was detected in 21 out of 23 (91%) daily floor samples; following the application of the Bio-Fence coating, Listeria was completely undetectable on the floor surface during day-to-day production, the company said.

Results from the pilot also show what Bio-Fence called a dramatic reduction of up to 99.9999% in the level of gram-negative bacteria as demonstrated by enterobacteria (EB) readings, and a considerable improvement in hygiene levels as demonstrated by Total Count (TC) readings. Exactly the same cleaning and hygiene routines, involving a chlorine-based product, were practiced before and after the Bio Fence application.

The hot dog peeling room was specifically selected for the pilot as it poses a series of complex challenges to maintaining hygiene levels. The production environment includes low temperatures, humidity, condensation and heavy movement of workers and equipment — all conditions under which Listeria can thrive.

Despite the pilot taking place under heavy organic load and wet conditions, Bio-Fence said the results demonstrate that its technology, when embedded in an industrial topcoat, can serve as a powerful anti-microbial solution that stabilizes and prolongs the activity of standard sanitizers, thereby helping dramatically reduce the spread of Listeria.

“Dealing with environmental pathogens like listeria, salmonella and others in food production processes is a continuous struggle for food manufacturers, especially in the production of sensitive food defined as RTE," said Ofer Shoham, CEO of Bio-Fence.

“There is a direct link between the presence of these bacteria in the immediate environment of production equipment and the contamination of food products. Sadly, thousands of people are still infected by listeria every year, causing a mortality rate of more than 25%.

“We are hugely encouraged by the breakthrough results of this pilot, which independently demonstrates the efficacy of the Bio-Fence product in helping eliminate listeria. We are convinced, as demonstrated by the POC results, that our technology can cut the path of infection and improve the overall hygiene level in food production.

“We look forward to using this trial as a basis to employ our product and technology into other highly sensitive food production environments."

The plant-based foods company shares its progress for trying to protect the planet, increase food access and expand nutrition education, it said.

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. — Del Monte Foods published its fiscal year 2021 Sustainability Report, highlighting what it called progress toward its sustainability goals and reaffirming the company's mission to nourish families with Earth's goodness to create a healthier tomorrow where nutritious foods are more accessible to all.

"At Del Monte, we're growers of good. This past fiscal year, we extended this ethos not only to growing what's good, but also to taking care of what's good: our team members, our growers, our customers and our communities," said Greg Longstreet, president and CEO of Del Monte Foods. "Corporations are being called upon to meet the many challenges facing society today, and we're in a unique position to lead by example through our business operations, prioritizing practices that help nourish our planet and ensure that all people are able to access the nutrition they need to live healthy, happy lives. We've set ambitious goals to reach by 2025, and while there's still work to be done, I'm proud of our progress and resolute in achieving our objectives."

Del Monte Foods' 2021 Sustainability Report shares progress across the company's three sustainability pillars: Cultivating a Healthy Planet, Nurturing People and Communities and Growing Accessible Nutrition. It was informed by a 2020 Materiality assessment as well as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Index. 

AFDO Released State Food Safety Resource Survey, NIFA Invests $10M for food safety outreach, training and education, and more news from the week.

New data-enhanced instrumentation technologies will improve the accuracy of the results, in line with stringent regulatory requirements, finds Frost & Sullivan.

The goal of the grants is to develop and implement food safety and Food Safety Modernization Act-related training, education, extension outreach and technical assistance for food processors and farmers with small to mid-size operations.

The partnership aims to provide a comprehensive supply chain management solution for supplier compliance, quality and food safety.

The survey looked at inspection work completed by state food safety regulatory programs charged with ensuring the safety of the food supply in the areas of manufactured food, retail food, milk, produce, meat/poultry and shellfish.