2002 IFT Annual Meeting & IFT FOOD EXPO® Preview

Services Exhibits
From custom blending to technical publications, a large number of exhibitors are offering services for the food industry at this year’s IFT Food Expo. Software products, research services, education programs, and employment services are just a few that will be on display. The following are brief descriptions of some of the exhibits. Additional exhibitors will be featured in the June issue of Food Technology.

Report on U.S. eating habits, attitudes, and concerns includes findings on the rise in American obesity rates, temptations, and bad eating habits. Half of respondents said they work hard at eating a well-balanced diet and are concerned about nutrition— 42% said they always look at the ingredient label on food products, and one-third buy fortified foods. The study also looks at the impact of gender, education, income, and age on eating habits. Concerns about food safety are also addressed. Other studies related to consumers and the food industry are also available. Mintel International Group, 213 W. Institute Pl., Chicago, IL 60610 (phone 312-932-0400, fax 312-932-0469), Booth 8307

Product development software, ProductVision, designed for the process manufacturing industry, combines a flexible work environment that streamlines the development process, allowing users to spend less time researching and more time perfecting their products. Several innovative modules will be featured, all designed to work together. Advanced Software Designs,1350 Elbridge Payne Rd., Ste. 150, Chesterfield, MO 63017 (phone 636-532-6021, fax 636-532-2935, www.asdsoftware.com), Booth 5938

Food safety and quality services, as well as training programs, are available for the baking and allied industries. American Institute of Baking, P.O. Box 3999, Manhattan, KS 66505-3999 (phone 785-537-4750, fax 785-537-1493, www.aibonline.org), Booth 2235

Flax education programs will be highlighted by this newly formed nonprofit commodity group. Other services related to flax include public relations, advertising, nutrition, and market research. AmeriFlax, 3015 Hwy. 25, Mandan, ND 58554 (phone 701-663-9799, fax 701-663-6574, www.ameriflax.com), Booth 8925

Consulting, testing, and other services available include nutrition facts labeling, pesticide residue testing, and information on herbs and supplements. Anresco Inc., 1370 Van Dyke Ave., San Francisco, CA 94124-3313 (phone 415-822-1100, fax 415-822-6615, www.anresco.com), Booth 8106

Consulting services are available in the areas of project management, process research and development, system capability evaluation, and technology transfer and commissioning support. Assistance is available for companies facing the challenges involved with moving new products from the benchtop into industrial scale production. Leadership training modules help clients develop the skills required to successfully assemble and lead cross-functional work teams. Barry M. Weinstein & Associates, P.O. Box 3822, Fullerton, CA 92834-3822 (phone 714-526-8165, fax 561-658-0844, www.foodconsultants.com), Booth 1910

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European industry information will be offered, along with business matchmaking and investment incentives for businesses interested in setting up in Belgium. Belgian Trade Commission (Wallonia Office), 155 Montgomery St., #207, San Francisco, CA 94104 (phone 415-546-5255, fax 415-546-3144, www.belgiantrade.org), Booth 6824

Custom enzyme tailoring service allows development of enzymes specially formulated to solve a particular process problem. New technical bulletins giving in-depth information about use of enzymes in key processes such as egg processing and citrus fruit juice production are available. Biocatalysts Ltd., Treforest Industrial Estate, Pontypridd, Wales, CF37 5UD, U.K. (phone +44-1443-843712, fax +44-1443-846500, www.biocatalysts.com), Booth 4310

Contract co-packing services are available for packing low-acid aseptic liquid products in TetraPak quart/liter, 500 mL, and Prisma. California Natural Products, P.O. Box 1219, Lathrop, CA 95330 (phone 209-858-2525, fax 209-858-4076, www.californianatural.com), Booth 5741

Analytical laboratory services are available for chemical and microbiological analysis of foods, meat, dairy, beverages, botanicals, vitamin assays, light filth, and pesticides. Regulatory expertise is also available, in addition to nutritional and supplement facts labeling, problem solving, challenge studies, pathogens, and consultation services. Certified Laboratories, 200 Express St., Plainview, NY 11803 (phone 516-576-1400, fax 516-576-1410, www.800certlab.com), Booth 1604 

Technical publications—more than 3,000 books, CD-roms, and videos, are available for shipment worldwide. C.H.I.P.S., 10777 Mazoch Rd., Weimar, TX 78962 (phone 979-263-5683, fax 979-263-5685, www.chipsbooks.com), Booth 2510

Sensory data collection software is available. Also, trained sensory panels, consumer research, and manage fieldwork, along with Commuter, a technology designed to deliver Compusense five sensory questionnaires anywhere in any language. Compusense Inc., 111 Farquhar St., Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1H 3N4, (phone 519-836-9993, fax 519-836-9898, www.compusense.com), Booth 1935

Pest management services include the new training video “When Words Are Not Enough,” a drama that stresses the importance of good documentation practices. Copesan, 3490 N. 127th St., Brookfield, WI 53005 (phone 262-783-6261, fax 262-783-6267, www.copesan.com), Booth 2340  

Food science educational programs for B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees will be on display. Research and extension programs focus on improving the wholesomeness, quality, and availability of food supplies. Two pilot plants capable of a wide range of food processing operations are open to clients from the food industry, government, and universities. Cornell University, Cornell Institute of Food Science, Stocking Hall, Ithaca, NY 14850 (phone 607-255-7900, fax 315-787-2284, www.foodscience.cornell.edu), Booth 5915

Biotechnology benefits will be described in relation to agriculture, the environment, and people. Council for Biotechnology Information, 1225 Eye St., NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20005-5958 (phone 202-467-6565, fax 202-467-5777, www.whybiotech.com), Booth 4234

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Food Industry analytical services—analysis of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, lipids, and other analytical services— will be on display. Covance Laboratories Inc., Covance Inc., 210 Carnegie Center, Princeton, NJ 08540-6233 (phone 888-Covance, fax 608-241-7227, www.covance.com), Booth 5920

Food science and technology publications which provide information to the scientific, medical, and technical professions are available. The journal Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition will also be highlighted, as well as the newly acquired Technomic food science book list. CRC Press, 2000 N.W. Corporate Blvd., Boca Raton, FL 33431 (phone 800-272-7737, fax 800-374-3401, www.crcpress.com), Booth 4034

Contract research services include product and process development, aseptically packaged samples, full-service process authority, specialty ingredient manufacturing, and a full aseptic pilot processing and packaging plant. Creative Research Management, Inc., 2029 E. Harding Way, Stockton, CA 95205 (phone 209-938-0900, fax 209-938-0769, www.crmcorp.net), Booth 1601

Custom blending, contract research, and new flavor/fragrance development are available, as well as custom synthesis for bulk production and kosher certification services. Dannier Chemical Inc., 2472 Chambers Rd., Ste. 230, Tustin, CA 92780 (phone 714-832-6862, fax 714-832-6929, www.Dannier.com), Booth 2008

Studies evaluating quality of products and packaging will be showcased. A nationwide network of field specialists evaluates products at point-of-purchase and point-of-use to objectively replicate the consumer experience. All studies are custom designed to meet client needs. EcoSure (formerly Audits International), 60 Revere, Ste. 800, Northbrook, IL 60062 (phone 847-480-9898, fax 847-480-1838, www.ecosure.com), Booth 3814 

Custom manufacturing services include milling, dry blending, and liquid blending. Farbest-Tallman Foods Corp., 160 Summit Ave., Montville, N.J. 07645 (phone 800 897-6096), Booth 6324

Nutrition labeling software, Nutritionist Pro Food Labeling, helps create and design camera-ready nutrition facts labels that meet all FDA requirements. It is available as an add-on module to Nutritionist Pro, or as a stand-alone product. First DataBank Inc., 1111 Bayhill Dr., Ste. 350, San Bruno, CA 94066 (phone 800-633-3453 [West], 800-428-4495 [East], www.firstdatabank.com), Booth 4943

Pilot-plant food processing equipment and services are being offered by R-Tech Laboratories. The equipment is available on a contract fee basis to customers in food and other industries. Capabilities range from margarine/spreads trials to spray drying. The company has a wide range of heat treatment capabilities with an assortment of heat exchangers, including a Votator Swept Surface Heat Exchanger System for margarine/spreads and a Microthermics UHT/HTST system with direct steam injection capabilities. A Relco plate/frame heat exchanger offers the capability of pasteurizing fluid products for consumer testing trials and test markets. An assortment of spray drying equipment includes a Rogers tower spray dryer, a small Armfield spray dryer for smaller batches, and an APV Anhydro with a centrifugal atomizer. Also included is a 15-kg Glatt agglomerating dryer. Processes are controlled with a data acquisition and control system that allows process data to be downloaded and analyzed. R-Tech Laboratories, Inc., 1150 W. County Rd. F, Arden Hills, MN 55112 (phone 651-481-2668; fax 651-481-2002; www.rtechlabs.com), Booth 8513

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Kosher supervision services are available. With an international network of dedicated and knowledgeable staff of rabbinic administrators, food scientists, and field supervisors, Star-K integrates complex food technology with kosher laws. Star-K Kosher Certification, 122 Slade Ave., Suite 300, Baltimore, MD 21208 (phone 410-484-4110, fax 410-653-9294, www.star-k.org), Booth 6134

Pilot processing facilities available at Ohio State University include a new dairy processing pilot plant that opened this year; a new emerging technologies pilot plant now under construction; and established Food Industries Center and meat processing lab. These food processing facilities provide unmatched capacity to solve industry problems. The university offers advanced and emerging technologies that keep food safe, including pulsed electric field, ozone, ultra-high pressure, aseptic, ohmic, and electrostatic processes, plus electronic nose capabilities. The university provides academic research and development tuned to industry needs. It shares a National Science Foundation Industry/ University Center with North Carolina State University and the University of California. Ohio State University, Dept. of Food Science and Technology, 2015 Fyffe Ct., Columbus, OH 43210-1007 (phone 614-292-6281, fax 614-292-0218, http://fst.osu.edu ), Booth 7702

Consumer testing and sensory services are among the new initiatives being launched by Shuster Laboratories, a leading food R&D and testing laboratory. New facilities include a full-service central location testing facility for studies using consumer panels to validate product performance, consumer acceptance, and advertising claims; and a focus group facility to generate qualitative data for concept development, consumer trends, and niche markets. The company has also expanded its sensory evaluation laboratories, which utilize both technical panels and trained panels to provide expert feedback for product formulation, product improvement and optimization, quality assurance, and advertising claims substantiation. A new 400-sq-ft test kitchen provides support for both sensory evaluation and consumer testing. Shuster Laboratories, 85 John Rd., Canton, MA 02021 (phone 781-821-2200; www.shusterlabs.com), Booth 1716

Food allergy and anaphylaxis information is available to provide education and advance research on behalf of all those affected by food allergies. Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, 10400 Eaton Pl., #107, Fairfax, VA 22030-2208 (phone 703-691-3179, fax 703-691-2713, www.foodallergy.org), Booth 7906

Technical and business assistance is available. State-of-the-art pilot plants assist in the transition between benchtop product development and actual manufacturing; laboratories provide benchtop product development. Business development services include consulting services, entrepreneur assistance, and identification of custom processors. A unique extrusion pilot-plant facility provides capabilities for ingredient assessment, product/process development, demonstrations, and sample production. Food Processing Center, University of Nebraska, 143 Food Industry Complex, Lincoln, NE 68583-0930 (phone 402-472-9751, fax 402-472-1693, www.fpc.unl.edu), Booth 3623

Automated system, Sentry9000, monitors and documents the food production process. It offers control, efficiency, and business data management capability without requiring a company to change anything about the way the product is made. The complete performance management system provides real-time production data needed for making important operational decisions. FoodHorizon, 127 Abercorn St., Ste. 300, Savannah, GA 31401 (phone 912-233-4444, fax 912-233-4485, www.foodhorizon.com), Booth 8002

GMO testing programs and services are available. The DNA-based method is an accurate, sensitive, reliable genetically modified organism test able to identify all commercialized GMOs. The Cert ID non-GMO certification program integrates accurate GMO testing with rigorous traceability of an ISO-compliant identity-preserved system to ensure non-GMO production. Varietal ID tests allow importers and exporters to screen for GMO varieties prohibited in the EU and Japan. Genetic ID Inc., P.O. Box 1810, Fairfield, IA 52556 (phone 641-472-9979, fax 641-472-9198), Booth 5632 

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Procurement services, as well as distributing, contract blending, and packaging services, are available. Industrial Food Ingredients, 46 4th St. E., Ste. 1120, St. Paul, MN 55101-1109 (phone 651-222-1256, fax 651-222-4495, www.scoular.com), Booth 6334 

Kosher certification services are available. Nearly 80% of all kosher certified products in the U.S. carry this certification stamp. Orthodox Union, 11 Broadway, New York, NY 10004 (phone 212-613-8340, fax 212-613-0695, www.ou.org), Booth 7805 

Contract manufacturing services are available for custom cookie and cracker products to serve the supplemental, new product, and seasonal baking needs of food producers. Interbake Foods Inc., 2821 Emerywood Pkwy., Ste. 210, Richmond, VA 23294 (phone 804-576-3459, fax 804-755-4925, www.interbake.com), Booth 4938

Sampling software for communicating sample data and test results, MicroLab, is a Web-based application designed to communicate and manage the exchange of sample data and test results between plants and microbiological laboratories. The e-Spec module is designed to create and manage specifications. It is part of a larger developing suite called e-Food, which will also have recipe, formula, nutrition, labeling, administration, and security models. Project Tracker is a project management tool that tracks and reports on risks, requirements, and tasks to meet deadlines, avoid slippage, stay on budget, anticipate potential problems, and have accurate assessments of projects every step of the way. Invictus Systems Corp., 5280 Lyngate Ct., Burke, VA 22015 (phone 703-503-8060, fax 703-503-8064, www.invictus63.com), Booth 7124

Halal certification and consulting services are available for food manufacturers and Muslim consumers around the world. The certification is recognized by a number of countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Pakistan. Islamic Food & Nutrition Council, 5901 N. Cicero Ave., #309, Chicago, IL 60646 (phone 773-283-3708, fax 773-283-3973, www.ifanca.org), Booth 6740 

Food safety training videos, software, kits, and handbooks are available. The training video “A Recipe For Food Safety Success” provides a convenient, concise overview of food safety covering key topics employees must understand. It is available in English and Spanish. J.J. Keller & Associates, Inc., 3003 W. Breezewood Ln., Neenah, WI 54957 (phone 920-727-7318, fax 920-727-7526), Booth 6042

Master of Agribusiness degree program designed for food and agribusiness professionals is delivered executive-style via Internet and CD-ROM technology. Students complete the program in 30 months while working full-time. Kansas State University/Master of Agribusiness, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, 313 Waters Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506 (phone 785-532-4495, fax 785-532-6925, www.mab.ksu.edu), Booth 2945

Professional books and journals available include Biological and Bioenvironmental Heat and Mass Transfer by A.K. Datta; Food Lipids, 2nd Edition by Casimir C. Akoh and D.B. Min; and Food Protein Analysis by R.K. Owusu-Apenten. Marcel Dekker, Inc., 270 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016 (phone 212-696-9000, fax 212-685-4540, www.dekker.com), Booth 6802

Lab-scale processing system is available for product development testing by food manufacturers hoping to expand market share. The system features ultra-high-temperature and aseptic processing capacity. Other processing capabilities include extrusion, wet and dry blending, evaporation and spray drying, thermal processing, fruit and vegetable processing, and product and process development programs. National Food Laboratory Inc., 6363 Clark Ave., Dublin, CA 94568 (phone 925-551-4205, fax 925-833-9239, www.TheNFL.com), Booth 3003

Kosher certification service includes the Track computer system that keeps track of kosher ingredients, formulae, etc. in the food industry. Companies can send information electronically, and the system does all the calculations and sends the results back to the companies electronically. OK Laboratories, 391 Troy Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11213 (phone 718-756-7500, fax 718-756-7503, www.ok.org), Booth 5500

GMO testing, as well as auditing, consulting, training, and research services are available. The GMO Product Integrity Program explains the legal and scientific aspects of GMOs and how they impact businesses. Silliker Inc., 900 Maple Rd., Homewood, IL 60430 (phone 708-957-7878, fax 708-957-1483, www.silliker.com), Booth 4324

by SARA LANGEN  
Assistant Editor