Aaron Hand

Editor-in-Chief, ProFood World

Aaron Hand has three decades of experience in B-to-B publishing with a particular focus on technology. He has been with PMMI Media Group since 2013, much of that time as Executive Editor for Automation World, where he focused on continuous process industries. Prior to joining ProFood World full time in late 2020, Aaron worked as Editor at Large for PMMI Media Group, reporting for all publications on a wide variety of industry developments, including advancements in packaging for consumer products and pharmaceuticals, food and beverage processing, and industrial automation. He took over as Editor-in-Chief of ProFood World in 2021. Aaron holds a B.A. in Journalism from Indiana University and an M.S. in Journalism from the University of Illinois.

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unPACKed Podcast: A 1st Look At PACK EXPO 2022

Listen to editors from PMMI Media Group lay out the top trends and innovations attendees can expect to see at PACK EXPO East 2022.

Ofer Shoham, CEO, Bio-Fence

Polymer Surface Treatment Improves Sanitation Efficiency

Start-up company Bio-Fence has created an innovative polymer that, when added to a topcoat/paint, binds disinfectant to the surface, increasing sanitation efficiency and eliminating pathogenic bacteria.

The FlexiBulk can fill bags in baskets while other bags are being pressed and unfilled.

Flexible HPP System Processes Both Bulk and Packaged Products

FlexiBulk high pressure processing equipment from JBT Avure can handle bulk bags in one basket while processing individually packaged products in another, improving speed and pack efficiency.

Lakeshore Technologies is known for its ability to solve metal contamination problems where others have failed.

Metal Contamination Removal Is Key to Success for Toll Processor

Becoming known for its ability to find and remove metal contaminants from customer products, Lakeshore Technologies relies heavily on metal detectors and magnetic separators from Eriez.

More from Aaron Hand

Katz Gluten Free creates allergy-friendly baked goods for all kinds of dietary restrictions.

Data Insights Give Small Baked Goods Specialist Handle on Market

Finding it difficult to gain visibility into its sales channel without the kinds of resources a larger food maker might have, Katz Gluten Free found answers from the Crisp programmatic commerce platform.

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Food Equipment Suppliers Bring Their Best to PACK EXPO

Compact processing systems for baked snacks, sorters for nuts and dried fruits, and an innovative levitating material handling system are some of the highlights editors found at PACK EXPO Las Vegas and featured on this Take Five with ProFood World video.

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Looking Forward to a Fruitful Collaboration

Amid helping hands and generous insight, I am grateful for the chance to lead ProFood World’s editorial coverage of the processes and technologies that make the food industry run.

One Cobra Plus screw vacuum pump replaced three rotary vane vacuum pumps.

Vacuum Pump Improves Lettuce Cooling Process

Switching from three oil-lubricated rotary vane vacuum pumps to one frequency-controlled screw vacuum pump, a lettuce grower eliminated maintenance issues and improved process time and energy consumption.

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VFFS Bagger Squeegees Air Out for Faster, Flatter Packing of Hot Liquids

Triangle Packaging Machinery demonstrates its Model XYTLF, a vertical form/fill/seal bagger for hot fill, pumpable foods. Its servo-controlled squeegee system helps eliminate costly leakers and headspace inside the package.

Trends in Food Manufacturing: Functional Nutrition, High Pressure Processing, and New Packaging

This year’s PACK EXPO Las Vegas featured several interesting presentations on its Innovation Stages. See highlights around functional nutrition, high pressure processing, and new packaging techniques from Bumble Bee on this Take Five video.

Global 250: Health Comes to the Fore

If one word sums up prevailing consumer attitudes, it’s “Health.” Despite the shakeup amid the ongoing pandemic, many top companies in ProFood World’s Global 250 Food and Beverage Manufacturers list have maintained their positions.

The cylindrical shape of the PET kegs adapts well to the processing chamber of the Hiperbaric HPP in-pack units.

PET Kegs Meet High Pressure Processing

Hiperbaric teamed up with Petainer, putting its One Way PET Keg under pressure to enable the cold-pressed juice market to take advantage of keg dispensing.

Ruprecht provides proteins cooked sous vide, a safe cooking process that vacuum seals the food and places it in temperature-controlled water.

Enterprise Resource Planning Essential Amid Strong Market Growth

Ruprecht, a sous vide cooked protein maker, integrates an ERP system purpose-built for food processing to build its Industry 4.0 foundation, helping operations better align with—and gain insights into—finance matters.