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Have you ever missed one or two of your normal tooth-brushing sessions, and found your tongue traversing over a disconcertingly slimy layer coating your chompers? Well, welcome to the disturbing and quite fascinating world of biofilms. These hearty amalgams of microbiological activity provide both protection for microorganisms, as well as headaches for not only those avoiding plaque build-up, but most importantly for this blog, the food industry (allowing harborage and protection for bacteria and fungi).
Biofilms can form on a variety of surfaces in food processing environments, including stainless steel. A supercell of harborage, “Biofilms are complex microbial ecosystems formed by one or more species immersed in an extracellular matrix of different compositions depending on the type of food manufacturing environment and the colonizing species” (Geaile, et al). The
To craft cheeses with precise flavors and textures tailored to specific markets, cheesemakers must carefully select cultures, adjuncts, and coagulants. The choice of coagulant is particularly crucial for cheeses like pasta filata, cheddar, and continental varieties, where texture, sliceability, and shredability significantly impact productivity and profitability. Selecting a coagulant enzyme with low proteolytic activity, specifically targeting k-casein, enhances texture, moisture distribution, and sliceability, leading to reduced waste during slicing. Coagulants also play a pivotal role in flavor development by supporting cheese ripening and preventing the hydrolysis of β-caseins, avoiding bitter off-flavors. dsm-firmenich Ingredients, through products like Delvo®Cheese starter cultures and Delvo®ADD adjuncts, provides cheesemakers with the tools to optimize texture and taste, meeting the demands of diverse markets. Maxiren® and Fromase® from dsm-firmenich cater to
A critical component in food safety is the detection of contaminants. One of the worst nightmares of anyone working in food processing, is finding something in the final product that is not supposed to be there. This can cause costly product loss, clean-up and maintenance costs, and the potential for recalls and/or litigation. Even though everyone tries to prevent foreign object contamination, pieces of tools such as scrapers can break off, or items such as pens can fall into the product. To make sure that these items are caught, and that contaminated product does not make it out the door, many plants utilize metal detection devices and products.
Metal detectable products are constructed of a few different materials. They are often blue for easy visual detection. Blue is also the most common non-food color.
Food safety truly is a collective effort. From the farm to the table, ensuring food safety is a way we can reaffirm our investment in, and care
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted normal operations for countless food and beverage manufacturers. Disruptions from future pandemics may occur due to limited staff because of layoffs, social distancing requirements, or sickness; additional sanitation requirements to control viral transmission; changes in production levels; and possibly plant shutdown. These situations can lead to the need of resources for food safety sanitation.
It is essential that food manufacturers create safe, quality food, therefore, routine practices need to continue and additional sanitation may need to be added. Employers also need to ensure a safe environment for their staff, including minimizing the risk of being exposed to harmful viruses and infections.
While whipping up a quick dinner recently, I decided to use my handy-dandy microwave to get the rice cooking portion of the meal done. Just below, the thrilling smells of cooking vegetables and fish wafted up as I did my best not to burn what was in the pan in front of me on the stove. Feeling good about my culinary self momentarily, I casually glanced up at the microwave. Torrents of foam cascaded out of the vessel I had put the rice in...in the end, I had cooked rice and a significant starchy mess to clean up. When on top of a freshly poured beer, a healthy level of foam can bring me great joy; in this instance, it brought me back to Earth in terms of thinking about my talents in the kitchen.
Now, take that unfortunate incident and think about a food processing facility producing your favorite products. Foam happens in many food
Selecting the right safety sign is a critical task in maintaining a secure work environment, and several key factors must be considered in this process. OSHA and ANSI regulations mandate that signage effectively communicates and defines specific hazards that pose a risk of injury or even death if left unidentified. One crucial aspect to contemplate is the safety sign header, which specifies the degree of hazard applicable to your situation. Different headers cater to distinct hazard levels, ensuring a clear and accurate indication of potential dangers. Explore the nuances of Danger, Warning, Caution, Notice, and Safety First signs, each serving a unique purpose in conveying the severity of potential hazards. Whether it's an immediate danger with a high probability of severe consequences or a cautionary note about a potentially hazardous situation, understanding the distinctions in safety signage headers is essential for creating a safe and informed workplace.
Saint Augustine is attributed as stating: “We make a ladder for ourselves of our vices, if we trample those same vices underfoot.” Inspiring words...and tangentially,
Selecting the appropriate material for safety signs is a crucial decision, influenced by various factors such as the time of day, temperature, and intended usage. The choice of material significantly impacts the sign's visibility, durability, and overall effectiveness. To assist in making informed decisions, the table below serves as a valuable guide, providing insights into the characteristics and suitability of different materials for specific applications. Whether it's ensuring visibility in low-light conditions, withstanding extreme temperatures, or meeting the demands of particular environments, this guide aids in the thoughtful selection of materials to enhance the overall efficacy of safety signage in diverse settings.
Custom shadow boards offer numerous advantages, contributing to the efficient organization of tools and the enhancement of workplace safety. Aligned with the principles of the 5S methodology—Sort, Set to Order, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain—custom shadow boards play a crucial role in fulfilling these requirements. The choice of material is a pivotal decision, and there are three options available to cater to different purposes: General Purpose Composite, Industrial Grade Aluminum, and Pro Series Acrylic. Each material has distinct features and temperature ranges suitable for various environments. To create a custom shadow board, a step-by-step process is outlined. It begins with selecting the board material, followed by identifying the tools to be shadowed, choosing the title and background color, specifying the board size, and considering additional information like color-coding charts, company name, logo, or images. By following these steps, businesses can tailor their shadow