Food Industries Manual

It is a measure of the rapidity of the changes The work has been revised and updated, and taking place in the food industry that yet another following the logic of the flow sheets there is some edition of the Food Industries Manual is required simplification and rearrangement among the chap after a relatively short interval. As before, it is a ters. Food Packaging now merits a separate pleasure to be involved in the work and we hope chapter and some previous sections dealing mainly that the results will continue to be of value to with storage have been expanded into a new readers wanting to know what, how and why the chapter covering Food Factory Design and Opera food industry does the things which it does. tions. For this edition we have made a major depar There is one completely new chapter, entitled ture from the style of earlier editions by comple Alcoholic Beverages, divided into Wines, Beers tely revising the layout of many of the chapters. and Spirits. There is a strain of thought which Previously the chapters were arranged as a series does not yet consider the production of those of notes on specific topics, set out in alphabetical drinks to be a legitimate part of the food industry, order in the manner of an encyclopaedia.

A technical and commercial compendium on the manufacture, preserving, packing and storage of all food products.

It is a pleasure to be involved in yet another edition the enforcement system and its officers, and the of the Food Industries Manual, and to know that the appearance of many more consultants, advisors and training specialists all claiming to assist manu book remains in sufficiently high demand for a new edition to be necessary. The work of revision and facturers in the discharge of what are described as updating has been rewarding to us and we hope that new and onerous duties. In reaction to all this, food the result will be found at least equally helpful to manufacturers are learning so to order their opera those who use it. tions that their reliability and their commitment to In the five years since the last edition the growth quality and good workmanship can be routinely of the chilled foods sector, in both quantity and demonstrated. The touchstone of this has become quality-with much more refrigeration available accreditation of the manufacturer's systems by an and in use, with close control of refrigeration tem independent authority, for instance that they peratures, storage times, storage temperatures, conform with the International Standard for tra?Sport conditions and display conditions, and Quality Systems, ISO 9000, or its British Standard with better information on labels and elsewhere equivalent, BS 5750. These and related matters are about shelf life and the handling of products-has dealt with in another new Chapter, on Food Issues.

Meat and meat products. Fish and fish products. Dairy products. Flour and baked goods. Fats and fatty foods. Coffee, tea and cocoa. Fruit juices and soft drinks. Preserves. Pickles and sauces. Confectionery products. Snack foods. Fereezing and refrigeration. Dehydration and dried products. Canning. Handling and storage.

Food companies, regardless of their size and scope, understand that it is impossible to establish a single division devoted to "quality", as quality is the responsibility and purpose of every company employee. Applying this theory demands the cooperation of each employee and an understanding of the methodology necessary to establish, implement, and

Food processing is now the biggest industry in the UK and in many other countries. It is also rapidly changing from what was essentially a craft industry, batch processing relatively small amounts of product, to a very highly automated one with continuously operating high speed production lines. In addition, consumers have developed a greater expectation for consistently high standard products and coupled this with demands for such things as a more natural flavour, lower fat etc. The need for an increased knowledge of the scientific principles behind food processing has never been greater. Within the industry itself, increased automation, company diversification and amalgamations etc. have meant that those working in it have often to change their field of operation. Whereas twenty years ago, someone starting work in one branch of the food industry could expect, if he or she so desired, to work there all their working lives, this is now seldom the case. This means that a basic knowledge of the principles behind food processing is necessary both for the student at university or college, and for those already in the industry. It is hoped, therefore, that this book will appeal to both, and prove to be a useful reference over a wide range of food processing.