Controls & Machine Components

TechnaSeal: Automated control system

The Series V automated control system on all lines of pneumatically powered thermal impulse heat sealers from TechnaSeal (Livermore, CA) is designed to increase safety, operating efficiency, and control/validation.

July 31, 2001

Machinery: Page 916

Controls & Machine Components

Dover Flexo Electronics: Dover Flexo Electronics: Integrated interface/amplifier

Dover Flexo Electronics (Rochester, NY) has released a special option for idler-roll tension transducer pairs: an integrated interface/amplifier that outputs a 10 v DC signal proportional to tension.

July 31, 2001

Controls & Machine Components

Clippard Instrument Laboratory, Inc: Clippard Instrument Laboratory, Inc: Spherical rod ends

Clippard Instrument Laboratory (Cincinnati, OH) announces the addition of spherical rod ends to its line of accessories for stainless-steel cylinders.

July 31, 2001

Controls & Machine Components

OMAC Meeting at Pack Expo

The OMAC Motion for Packaging working group will meet at Pack Expo Las Vegas. The group’s subcommittees are expected to issue initial position statements declaring packaging-specific open architecture requirements for motion control programming languages, commmunications networks and machine states.

July 31, 2001

Coding, Printing & Labeling

FDA demands proof of botanical claims

FDA is cracking down on increasingly popular botanically enhanced foods and beverages, demanding proof they are safe and do not make false and misleading claims.

July 31, 2001

Controls & Machine Components

FDA on vitamin health claims

FDA settled a lawsuit by reaching an agreement on a health claim for B vitamins and vascular disease. The agency will allow the following health claim on labels of dietary supplements containing folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12: “As part of a well-balanced diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol, folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 may reduce the risk of vascular disease.*” But the claim must be immediately followed by the following sentence in the same size, type face, and contrast as the first sentence: “*FDA evaluated the above claim and found that, while it is known that diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol reduce the risk of heart disease and other vascular diseases, the evidence in support of the above claim is inconclusive.” FDA disallowed health claims relating antioxidant vitamins (vitamin C and vitamin E, alone or in combination) to reduced risk of certain kinds of cancer or of individual cancers (cancer of the bladder, breast, cervix, colon, rectum, oral cavity/pharynx, esophagus, lung, prostate, pancreas, skin, and stomach), finding that the scientific evidence against the relationship was greater than that for the relationship.

July 31, 2001

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Biotech food updates

In comments to FDA, the National Food Processors Assn. reiterated its support of FDA’s proposed guidance for voluntary labeling of biotech foods.

July 31, 2001

Coding, Printing & Labeling

FDA summons consumer input

FDA will conduct consumer focus groups to ascertain consumers’ understanding, perceptions, and acceptance of food label statements on irradiation.

July 31, 2001

Coding, Printing & Labeling

New York dating labeling bill

Certain perishable foods would be required to contain labels with clear and legible dating along with recommended storage instructions under a bill introduced in the New York State Assembly.

July 31, 2001

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Industry develops guidelines for allergen labeling

The Food Allergy Issues Alliance, a group of food trade associations and other organizations focused on allergy-related topics, has issued the Food Allergen Labeling Guidelines to help the estimated seven million Americans with food allergies avoid foods that might make them sick.

July 31, 2001

Secondary Packaging

Achievements

Miller Brewing Co., Milwaukee, WI, named NorthStar Print Group (Watertown, WI) Supplier of the Year for 2000. John Bowlin, president/CEO of Miller, presents the award to DickGasper, NorthStar president/CEO.

July 31, 2001

Converting equipment

Relocations, expansions

Mitsubishi Polyester Film (Greer, SC) broke ground for a new film production facility in Greer, SC, on April 18, 2001. —EaglePack Corp.

July 31, 2001

Converting equipment

The CP moves my cheese

A couple of months ago, I prepared a packaging trends report for the conference program that accompanied the Converting Machinery/Materials Intl. show.

July 31, 2001