Thermal Processing

FoodStream has extensive experience in thermal processing, particularly with respect to in-package processing (retorting – cans, pouches, glass jars, tubs etc).  But we also have experience in other thermal processes – hot fill operations, continuous pasteurisation/sterilisation etc.

We work with the Food Centre at Goulburn-Ovens TAFE in offering training in this area (click for training information), and have access to their Pilot Plant facilities, which includes a retort and continuous UHT system.

Relevant Persons:            Gordon YOUNG,  Christopher BOURNE, Ross MILLEWSKI,

Qualifications relating to thermal processing:

Gordon Young:

  • Approved Person for Thermal Processing of Low Acid Foods (1995)
  • Member of the Institute of Thermal Processing Professionals (IFTPS)

(Also holds Bachelor of Engineering, and Graduate Diploma of Business, and is a member of AIFST)

Christopher Bourne:

  • Approved Person for Thermal Processing of Low Acid Foods (2013)
  • Thermal Processing: Principles and Practices in Food Preservation, Britt & Associates, Canada
  • Thermal Processing – Quality Optimisation course, Campden, UK.
  • Retort Supervisor’s Certificate
  • Member of the Institute of Thermal Processing Professionals (IFTPS)

(Also holds Bachelor of Engineering – Mechatronincs)

Ross Millewski:

  • Expertise in can seam analysis and retort operation
  • Highly experienced in training in seaming/retorting

(Also general food processing qualifications/experience)

 Experience in process validation:

Products for which we have conducted validations as an AQIS approved Qualified Cannery Person include the following (many are export products, including export to the USA):

  • Retort pouch meat products (water shower retort at Neat Meats Pty Ltd, Casino, 2002 & 2003; immersion retort, Tatiara Meats/Good Country Pty Ltd, 2002 onwards, Eurest Prepared Foods 2002 to 2004, Slow Food Fast Pty Ltd, NZ, 2008)
  • Canned abalone (steam retort, BNY Trading Pty Ltd, Nerang, Qld, 2003 onwards)
  • Bulk pouches, acidified vegetable products (immersion retort, Farm Fresh Fine Foods, Bundaberg, Qld, 2003 onwards)
  • Retort pouch cooked rice products (immersion retort, Sunrice Pty Ltd, Leeton NSW 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2013)
  • Retort pouch meat and soup products (water spray retort, HMJ Foods Pty Ltd, 2004 & 2005)
  • Plastic tub dessert products and baby food products (water spray retort, Flavour Creations Pty Ltd, Brisbane, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009)
  • Retort pouch ready meal products (immersion retort, Prepared Foods Australia Pty Ltd, formerly Eurest Prepared Foods – Brisbane 2005 & 2006)
  • Canned pet food products (steam retorts, Ocean Pure Corporation Ltd, Blenheim, NZ, 2006, and Lovitts Pty Ltd, NZ, 2008).
  • Bottled baby food, trials carried out in a water spray retort for Nu-Mega Pty Ltd, Brisbane, 2006
  • Retort pouch rice, and bottled sauces, Kohinoor Foods, India, 2008, 2009, 1010
  • Retort pouch meal products, Octa Foods, Thailand, 2008, 2009, 2010
  • Canned abalone – BNY Trading, 2003 to 2012
  • Validation (temperature distributions) in water cascade, spray, and immersion retorts (Steriflow, FMC, and others), saturated steam, and air-steam retorts (Lagarde and GEA retorts) in Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, and India.

 TRAINING: Experience in conducting retorting/canning related courses:

Following is a list of retort operator/supervisor courses presented.  Until June 2007, they were presented in cooperation with the University of Qld under their AQIS approval.  With changes in both expertise and facilities in this area, the University of Qld agreed that it no longer wished to be involved, and a cooperative relationship has been developed between FoodStream and Goulburn-Ovens TAFE in Shepparton to offer these courses.

  • 2013 training provided to the pacific seafood canning industry (contracted by Secretariat of Pacific Communities)
  • 1995 to 2006 – Gordon Young presented key thermal processing topics at courses organised by and run at the University of Qld
  • Courses at GoTAFE, Shepparton, held twice annually since September 2007.
  • On-site Retort Supervisors courses have been presented by Gordon Young at:
    • Eurest Prepared Foods, Brisbane 2001
    • Neat Meats Pty Ltd, Casino, NSW 2002
    • Sunrice Pty Ltd, Leeton, NSW 2003 & 2008
    • Golden Circle, Brisbane, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2012
    • Mars Australia, Wodonga, Victoria, 2004, 2005 (twice), 2006 (twice), 2007,  & 2008
    • Prepared Foods Pty Ltd (formerly Eurest Prepared Foods) 2005
    • Unilever, Tatura, Victoria, 2006 and 2007
    • Sanitarium, Berkely Vale, NSW, 2007
    • Papua New Guinea (for the seafood canning industry) 2008, 2010
    • Simplot Echuca 2009
    • Food Spectrum, Brisbane 2010
    • BNY Trading, Arundel, 2012

Gordon Young has also lectured the “thermal processing” topics to Food Technology students at the University of Qld since 1995 (as a University staff member from 1995 to 1999, then employed on a casual basis from 2000 to the present)

 

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