Top Food & Bev Industry Posts You Missed in February 24279Top Food & Bev Industry Posts You Missed in February 24279
March 6, 2020

While the coronavirus loomed in the background, food and beverage companies announced several substantial investment projects, opened new facilities, dealt with several fires during February. Some interesting powder-related research was published last month that could change the way ice cream is made. There was also a major shakeup in the dairy industry. Powder & Bulk Solids editors selected these posts to provide our audience with an overview of some of the most interesting food and beverage-related news that was reported in the last month.
DFA to Purchase “Substantial Portion” of Dean Foods
American milk cooperative Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) entered into an asset purchase agreement to take on “a substantial portion” of Dean Foods business operations after the dairy products manufacturer filed for Chapter 11 reorganization last year. Under the terms of the deal, DFA will purchase 44 fluid and frozen facilities and associated real estate, inventory, equipment, and other assets needed to run the sites.
OSHA Fines Cookie Manufacturer $221K for Safety Hazards
Premium cookie manufacturer Nonni’s Foods LLC received several citations and a proposed fine of $221,257 from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) after an agency investigation at the firm’s facility in Ferndale, NY revealed falls and other hazards. The agency initiated an investigation on Aug. 22, 2019 after a worker was injured in a fall on August 9.
Fire Breaks Out at Kellogg Company Facility in Michigan
Fire crews were called to the Kellogg Company’s W.K. Kellogg Institute in Battle Creek, MI in February after a blaze and smoke was reported in a processing area of the facility. Crews managed to douse the flames quickly before the fire reached other sections of the structure. The fire department said the facility’s second floor sustained some smoke and water damage.
Nestle Purina Invests $140M in New Dry Pet Food Lines
America’s largest manufacturer of dry dog and cat food, Nestle Purina, announced an investment of $140 million to add several new processing and packaging lines for dry pet foods at its production facility in Clinton, IA. The company said it will “significantly increase” its capacity of kibble-based products at the Clinton plant. Opened in 1969, the facility is one of 21 factories operated by Purina in the U.S. Beyond producing pet food brands like Purina Pro Plan and Purina ONE, the factory also focuses on innovation and new product design.
Ferrero USA Opens New 643,798-sq-ft Distribution Center
Confectionery manufacturer Ferrero USA opened a new 643,798-sq-ft distribution center in Goodyear, AZ that will distribute Butterfinger, Crunch, Baby Finger and other candy brands in North America.
New Research Shows Berry Powder Can Stabilize Ice Cream
To solve the age-old problems of melting and ice crystal formation in ice cream and other frozen desserts, manufacturers have turned to stabilizers with unfamiliar names like sodium alginate, iota carrageenan, and carboxymethyl cellulose. Researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) announced in February that a more natural-sounding, label friendly solution was discovered that could replace many existing ice cream and frozen dessert stabilizers.
Fire at ADM Corn Processing Plant in Iowa
A fire was reported in mid-February at an Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) corn processing plant in Clinton, IA where a firefighter was killed while responding to a fire and explosion at the facility last year.
Firm Opens 3D Printing Studio for Chocolate Production
Cocoa processor and chocolate manufacturer Barry Callebaut opened a new 3D printing studio for its Mona Lisa decoration brand to produce customized 3D printed chocolate at scale. Technology in the Mona Lisa site enables chefs to create unique, reproducible designs for chocolate products.
Landus Cooperative to Build 400,000-tn Mill in Iowa
Farmer-owned agriculture firm Landus Cooperative said last month that it is planning to build a new 400,000-tn mill in Yale, IA as part of its newly-unveiled strategic plans to build up its swine and beef feed business. The firm also plans to upgrade the receiving capabilities and storage capacity at its grain facility in Yale, which is adjacent to the site of the new mill.
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