Info-Authority: Food Processing Equipment

Food processing equipment is used for the preparation of foods by slicing, shredding, liquefying, chopping, blending, or preserving. A typical home food processor may contain a unit with interchangeable rotating blades. Other larger food processing equipment can include meat grinders, mixers, poultry slicers, sausage stuffers and tumblers, which are used to marinate meats. These larger units can be found in supermarkets, hotel kitchens, restaurants, butcher shops, and meat processing plants.

Purpose of Processing Food

Food may be processed for a variety of reasons, including reducing solids to liquids in a home kitchen, as in the juicing of a grapefruit or orange. Processing equipment may be utilized for preservation or presentation before cooking.

Food processing equipment may also be used for scientific purposes in order to isolate a protein or extract a liquid from a solid. These processes may include technologies such as thermal treatment or ultrasonic treatment. Although thermal treatment is the most common processing method, it may alter the taste, texture, flavor, color or smell of a food due to exposure to high temperatures. Ultrasonic processing creates a force that breaks cell walls and can be used to extract liquid form a solid product much faster.

Using a Food Processor

Each step of larger, industrial food processing requires attention to safety and quality in order to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations as well as to keep high standards for taste and customer satisfaction. Certain processing equipment may require training, certification, or inspection. Those processing acidic foods, such as fruit jams and jellies, preserves, dressings, and some condiments, where canning or packaging is occurring must follow state and federal guidelines in order ensure consumer health. On the same note, foods without adequate acidity may allow growth of microorganisms that can cause food-born illnesses as well. This is also true for meat and poultry processing plants, where improper processing could lead to a product recall.

When processing at home, resources should be obtained in order to ensure proper preparation, including heat processing methods. This may include general food preservation as well, including canning, freezing, drying, and fermentation processes.

When purchasing food processing equipment for a business, first determine the requirements the equipment must meet. A document used for this purpose is called a specification. Included in the specification should be a description of the requirements, the project it will be used for, and any other details that will ensure communication with the manufacturer.

Whether for a business or the home, food processing equipment should be maintained as directed by the manufacturer or manual, and should be inspected or tested before initial use. Safety requirements should be read, followed, and demonstrated at all times.

By Barbara Poelle




	Food Processing Equipment Food processing equipment is used for the preparation of foods by slicing, shredding, liquefying, chopping, blending, or preserving. A typical home food processor may contain a unit with interchangeable rotating blades. Other larger food processing equipment can include meat grinders, mixers, poultry slicers, sausage stuffers and tumblers, which are used to marinate meats. These larger units can be found in supermarkets, hotel kitchens, restaurants, butcher shops, and meat processing plants. Purpose of Processing Food Food may be processed for a variety of reasons, including reducing solids to liquids in a home kitchen, as in the juicing of a grapefruit or orange. Processing equipment may be utilized for preservation or presentation before cooking. Food processing equipment may also be used for scientific purposes in order to isolate a protein or extract a liquid from a solid. These processes may include technologies such as thermal treatment or ultrasonic treatment. Although thermal treatment is the most common processing method, it may alter the taste, texture, flavor, color or smell of a food due to exposure to high temperatures. Ultrasonic processing creates a force that breaks cell walls and can be used to extract liquid form a solid product much faster. Using a Food Processor Each step of larger, industrial food processing requires attention to safety and quality in order to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations as well as to keep high standards for taste and customer satisfaction. Certain processing equipment may require training, certification, or inspection. Those processing acidic foods, such as fruit jams and jellies, preserves, dressings, and some condiments, where canning or packaging is occurring must follow state and federal guidelines in order ensure consumer health. On the same note, foods without adequate acidity may allow growth of microorganisms that can cause food-born illnesses as well. This is also true for meat and poultry processing plants, where improper processing could lead to a product recall. When processing at home, resources should be obtained in order to ensure proper preparation, including heat processing methods. This may include general food preservation as well, including canning, freezing, drying, and fermentation processes. When purchasing food processing equipment for a business, first determine the requirements the equipment must meet. A document used for this purpose is called a specification. Included in the specification should be a description of the requirements, the project it will be used for, and any other details that will ensure communication with the manufacturer. Whether for a business or the home, food processing equipment should be maintained as directed by the manufacturer or manual, and should be inspected or tested before initial use. Safety requirements should be read, followed, and demonstrated at all times. By Barbara Poelle Related Links: Ultrasonic Food Processing - Extraction and Preservation A look at ultrasonic and thermal food processing.