Bühler Aeroglide, a global leader in thermal process engineering and technology for food, feed, and industrial materials, has added a food technologist to support the processing needs of food manufacturing customers. Dvijal Patel joins the company’s process development group as a food technologist, specializing in food science microbiology.
 
Food manufacturers around the world use Bühler Aeroglide’s thermal processing technology and processing expertise for a wide range of food applications, from the processing of cereals and snacks to achieve the perfect crunch, to safely roasting nuts and seeds to protect consumer health. Patel will strengthen this thermal processing capability, bringing a valuable food science perspective to food manufacturing.  
 
Patel will work with customers to develop new food products, design the most efficient thermal processes, and maximize existing thermal processes through system evaluations and staff training courses. Patel comes to Bühler Aeroglide from a U.S.-based cereal manufacturer with experience in quality assurance and training. He holds a Master’s degree in Food Science Microbiology and a Bachelor’s degree in Biology Sciences from the University of Georgia.  
 
“Customers have asked for processing support that addresses specific food manufacturing needs, from the cleaning of machinery to the drying, roasting and toasting effects on nutritional profiles,” said Tom Barber, vice president of process engineering. “Dvijal’s experience within the food industry will help Bühler work more closely with food companies to support these needs while promoting best food safety and sanitation practices.”  
 
Collaborations with food manufacturers in recent years have helped Bühler recognize critical food processing needs, leading to advances in food safety research and the development of game-changing hygienic processing equipment. Now, more and more of these manufacturers are asking for new kinds of support, including help with hazard analysis and critical control point plans that are required by the Food Safety Modernization Act for certifications. These systematic preventive approaches consider the biological, chemical and physical hazards in food processes that can cause a finished product to be unsafe. This is one of the many ways Bühler Aeroglide is poised to help food manufacturers.
 
“I’m looking forward to working with a global team of engineers and scientists to enhance food operations for customers,” said Patel. “Bühler can now help food manufacturers with more than thermal processing equipment. We can provide food science specific processing expertise, and this will be a tremendous value to all food applications.”
 
Bühler Aeroglide manufactures dryers, ovens, roasters, toasters, and hot air expansion systems for the food, feed, and industrial product markets.

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