Flexible packaging

Flexible packaging advances reap rewards

This year's FPA awards recognized converters for packages that permit product viewing--even touching the product--without compromising package integrity. Reclosable and/or stand-up pouches drive into new product categories.

February 29, 1996

Meat/Poultry/Seafood: Page 105

Beverage

Countering counterfeiters

Congress wants to toughen criminal and civil penalties against product and package counterfeiting. Today, infrequent prosecutions and soft sentences drive the debate.

February 29, 1996

Flexible packaging

When the package becomes the 'oven'

Designed for the military, a flameless ration heater is now used for a shelf-stable consumer entree that converts the carton into an oven. HeaterMeals packs 'everything but the appetite' into meals for people on the go.

February 29, 1996

Dairy

Redefining food labels

The product inside may be more healthful or taste as good, but a package bearing a name like "meat product" or "peanut butter substitute" isn't likely to be as accepted as "bologna" or plain "peanut butter." As the food industry continues to develop new variations of old staples that are more in keeping with the public's desire for more nutritious and convenient foods, the U.S.

February 29, 1996

Converting equipment

Salmon bits sprinkled or spooned

Look out, bacon bits, here comes a challenger: Alaskabits(TM) smoked salmon bits. Deemed the Grand Prize winner in an annual contest promoting nontraditional uses of Alaska salmon, the dried, smoked bits of premium filet are said to be a more healthful alternative to pork toppings because they're higher in protein and lower in cholesterol and animal fats.

February 29, 1996

Contract Packaging

Star packaging for Star Canyon

Managing partner Michael Cox believes his Star Canyon Restaurant has succeeded partly because of the way it capitalizes on its unique Dallas setting. Until recently that meant menu and decor for the most part.

February 29, 1996

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Adhesice saves the day

It's certainly not the size of Sutter Home. But Arcadian Estate Vineyards in Watkins Glens, NY, proved it could be pretty resourceful recently when it faced an order of 3길 bottles of chardonnay that had to be custom labeled for a Buffalo Zoological Gardens fund raiser.

January 31, 1996

Cartoning

Cartoner serves up tasty results at Boca Burger

To meet growing nationwide demand for its meatless burgers, Boca Burger turns to automated wrapping and cartoning machinery. As a result, speeds soar while labor costs plummet.

January 31, 1996

Meat/Poultry/Seafood

FDA to permit simplified health claims on labels

USDA isn't the only agency embracing HACCP. At the Food &Drug Administration, mandatory HACCP regulations will be implemented over the next two years for seafood processors, the agency announced in December.

January 31, 1996

Meat/Poultry/Seafood

Supplier news: Appointments, promotions

Marsh Co. (Belleville, IL): Wes Williamson, meat and poultry industry specialist.

January 31, 1996

Labeling

HACCP to affect seafood, too

As the U.S.Department of Agriculture moves towards implementing a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP)-based inspection system, nearly three-quarters of existing regulations could be simplified or even eliminated, according to USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

January 31, 1996

Meat/Poultry/Seafood

USDA keeps on trucking with HACCP

USDA is ready to issue a joint proposal with FDA on warehousing and distribution of packaged foods. New safety requirements could affect packaging.

December 31, 1995

Labeling

Playing 'chicken' with food labels

USDA dares food processors to put 'mechanically separated poultry' in ingredient panels.

December 31, 1995