Interroll has laid the groundwork for a significant expansion of its product portfolio at its site in Baal-Hückelhoven, Germany, near Düsseldorf, by acquiring a neighboring plot of land. The new property, which is already home to an industrial building, covers a floor area of almost 13,000 square meters. As early as 2022, Interroll will introduce a new platform for hygienic food processing and logistics from the site and consistently expand it in the coming years.

Check out what's new in automated food production equipment.

Monogram Foods has started construction on a new 135,000-square-foot production facility in Creek Brook Park, Haverhill, Massachusetts. Monogram has plant and warehousing facilities in Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Virginia and Wisconsin. This is Monogram’s 3rd Massachusetts location, and will feature 109,000 square feet of multi-temperature warehouse space, plus a 26,000-square-foot sandwich assembly area. The facility is expected to be completed by mid-2022.

CJ Foods USA (CJ Foods), a U.S.-based affiliate of global lifestyle company CJ CheilJedang (CJCJ), announced its plans to build a new 700,000-square-foot Asian food production facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

The latest x-ray, metal detection and vision inspection machines for processors.

Humidity control may be the last thing on your mind right now if you’re running a food processing facility, trying to execute a rapid buildout to meet increased consumer demands. But, as you race to adjust production lines, “dust off” old processing equipment and ultimately ramp up how much food you’re making and storing, dialing in your humidity control will eliminate a handful of costly issues that slow down production.

As the Trump administration considers the evolution of Coronavirus Task Force and states move to reopen, the Consumer Brands Association called on federal leaders to improve interagency coordination and deliver clearer, integrated federal guidance.  Urging stronger interagency cooperation, Consumer Brands called for immediate coordination between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to address public health and worker safety questions, ensure supply chain reliability and respond to operational demands.

Government officials have repeatedly stated that the food industry is a critical infrastructure industry and that bans and travel curfews should not apply to the food industry. Further, they are working to convey and increase their messaging this important message to state and local governments.  In response to recent discussions with members, we have prepared a letter that you may share with your employees, providing legal justification for business travel as professionals in an industry that the government has deemed critical to this country.

Check out this roundup of new refrigerated and frozen meat, poultry and seafood products.

Refrigerated & Frozen Foods turns 30 years old this year. Editor-in-chief Marina Mayer outlines what’s in store for 2020—the year of celebration.