In 2022, producers of freezing technology equipment again boast a wide range of options for frozen food producers, including freezers, proofers, and coolers. Adding the fact that major technology trade fairs such as Anuga FoodTec and IFFA are returning to pre-2020 norms, this year is on track to bring major innovations and cutting-edge solutions.
Over the past years, Octofrost realized the need to improve the traditional impingement freezing technology and create a more cost- and space-efficient solution. Thus in 2021, honoring its commitment to continuously innovate sustainable solutions, OctoFrost launched a new and unique product for the food processing industry – the Multi-Level Impingement Freezer. Impingement freezing is a rapid freezing method which uses high-speed airstream from above and below the product. This type of freezing is suited for various thin food products, such as hamburgers, fish or chicken fillets, shrimp, dumplings, and many more. However, it could also be used for crust freezing prior to slicing larger products. The high speed of circulating air achieves quick freezing in a few minutes, guaranteeing low product dehydration and premium product quality. Designed for a small footprint, the OctoFrost Multi-Level Impingement Freezer provides benefits over cryogenic freezing as it eliminates the need for liquid nitrogen, which significantly reduces the running costs for the food processors.
The Multi-Level Impingement Freezer is also competitive in terms of capacity and footprint. Instead of using a single belt like that in most freezers, the Multi-Level Impingement Freezer uses three conveyor straight belts that double production capacity per square meter of factory space. This provides several advantages to food processors, including a higher load capacity, preserved product shape, and the flexibility to run different products on each level. When it comes to shrimp and fish fillets freezing, which require glazing, the OctoFrost Multi-Level Impingement Freezer offers a significant competitive advantage: the possibility to install glazers at both ends. This setup allows glazing three times and hardening the glaze in the same freezer as the product travels from one belt layer to another – a space-efficient and lucrative solution, according to the company.
Food Safety Requirement Standards Have Increased Exponentially
FPS Food Process Solutions is the first manufacturer to produce the widest spiral belt freezer at 1.8m wide, taking into account less height space in many facilities in Europe, according to FPS representatives. In collaboration with Intralox, FPS worked on an innovation to match larger processing lines and produce higher output. “Our most recent innovation is the Spiral Immersion System™ (SIS™) utilizing water vs air. This game changing technology takes advantage of fluid to freeze, chill, pasteurize, cook and even sous vide, providing greater flexibility, higher yields and better, quality food products.” Turning to processors, what are the main criteria their decision should be based on when choosing which freezing equipment to purchase? “This is a global industry, not just one country or one market. Higher production, more efficient energy and labor savings, optimal factory space, even remote servicing, have pushed FPS to meet processors’ demands. The ability to clean a freezer should always be a major deciding factor. Clean-in-Place (CIP) systems can be built into a new FPS freezer or retrofitted in existing freezers. In addition, like all equipment, optimal servicing and retrofit expertise to ensure the smooth operation of a freezer, makes sound sense in the decision-making process. Processors do not want just a freezer manufacturer but a freezer partner.”
FPS representatives add that processors should consider shifting consumer demands in eating habits as well as food safety and hygienic standards. With a shift from ready-to-cook to ready-to-eat, food safety requirement standards have increased exponentially. “No longer just a local industry, we expect higher standards such as the commercial baking industry where hygiene, traditionally, has been less enforced during the proofing process. Processors cannot ignore safety over cost,” they conclude.
To read the entire article, please access your complimentary e-copy of Frozen Food Europe March-April, 2022 issue here.