Ask The Experts

FoodProcessing.com has assembled top experts in key fields for you to ask select questions about your pressing issues. We’ll post the answer as quickly as possible. If you would like to become an expert yourself, click on the link below.

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Experts are available in the categories listed below and among three broad groupings:
Ingredients, R&D and Product Development
Management, Marketing and Sales
Plant Operations and Packaging
Click on a category to learn about the experts in that field and to view answers to previously submitted questions.

INGREDIENTS, R&D, PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

R&D Strategy & Process:
Flavors and ingredients are the building blocks of new product development. But the process involves research, corporate strategy and manufacturing capability, as well as the creation of product development teams -- many of which reach beyond the R&D dept. Our experts address everything from the micro issues (e.g. how a starch will function under certain conditions) to macro issues such as who should be on the cross-functional team and how innovative R&D can lead to competitive advantage.

Nutrition Research:
Nutrition now underlies everything the food industry does and is becoming more important as consumers increase their knowledge of the subject. Our experts are keyed into the latest research and sound science of the generalities of nutrition as well as individual components.

Food Safety:
Always the most critical issue for the food industry, you can pose your questions on everything from hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) to specific new products and processes.

MANAGEMENT, MARKETING, SALES

Management, International Trade:
Like any business, food manufacturing must be managed carefully, even more so because of its traditional razor-thin margins. You’re invited to pose questions on executive issues, business strategy, succession planning and international trade.

Sales & Marketing:
From building successful brands to identifying high-potential niches to dealing with your partner retailers, we can provide insights on how to sell more of your product. This is also the area where you can discuss trends.

Workforce/Training:
At a time when food safety and product quality have become unforgiving, your line workers are your first line of defense. But finding, training and retaining good employees in a business traditionally plagued by high turnover has never been tougher. Maybe we can help.

Regulatory:
This category permeates several others but generally addresses issues relating to food safety, labeling, ingredient evaluation, organics, biotechnology and other issues that involve FDA, USDA other government agencies.

PLANT OPERATIONS & PACKAGING

Packaging:
The package is your last salesman, as well as the defender of the integrity of your product. Whether you’re looking for more impact on the store shelf or new technology – in machinery or materials – ask our experts before you take a leap.

Process Engineering, Plant Operations, Maintenance:
Learn from the best practices in manufacturing, from controlling the process to maintaining the plant. Our experts have real-world experience running a variety of food plants and have seen it all. This and our packaging module are the places to pose your RFID questions, as well as those on capital expenditures.

Quality Assurance:
Worthy of separate attention, quality assurance comprises numerous products and processes to ensure the integrity and safety of every single product as well as quality systems that permeate the entire enterprise.