Significant challenges as well as exciting opportunities for the food manufacturing industry defined the year 2024 for food processors.
From supply chain challenges to an evolving regulatory landscape, food processors were forced to create efficient processes and utilize the best tools and ingredients in order to meet consumers’ demands.
But above all, one topic was at the forefront of food processors’ minds throughout the year: food safety. Food safety remained a top priority for every manufacturer in the industry, with several key trends and events shaping the industry's approach to ensuring product safety.
Foodborne illnesses can pose a risk at any moment. Pathogens such as Listeria and H5N1 (to name just two) continued to threaten in 2024. This meant food processors emphasized risk mitigation through systems like HACCP and through GMPs to prevent contaminations of pathogens, as well as cross-contamination of allergens.
Color-coding systems: As we discussed in this recent article, color-coding tools, clothing, and supplies allow for easy and quick identification and communication of information that’s essential for food safety and protect employees and consumers from allergens and pathogens.
Chain of custody: From origin to destination, understanding the full chain of custody ensures transparency, accountability, and the ability to trace potential contamination sources.
Enhanced employee training: Food processors provided comprehensive continuous education on food safety practices, including hygiene, sanitation, and proper handling procedures.
Employee safety: Proper PPE is an evergreen tool for employee protection as well as food safety regardless of new potential contaminants.
For its part, Nelson-Jameson has echoed the industry's focus on food safety—inside and outside of our facilities.
Nelson-Jameson has voluntarily brought the SQF program to its four active distribution centers in Marshfield, Wis., Amarillo, Texas, Jerome, Idaho, and Turlock, Calif. The Nelson-Jameson Turlock site has scored a perfect 100% for eight years in a row, and Amarillo also received a 100% score in its first two audits in 2023 and 2024. Its Marshfield location has a 13-year average score of more than 98.6%, with 2024’s score being a perfect 100%.
In 2024, Nelson-Jameson continued its commitment to food safety during the transportation stage. Perishable cargo must reach its destination in a timely manner and in the right climate-controlled and monitored conditions within the vehicle to maintain the ingredients’ quality and integrity. By managing its own fleet, Nelson-Jameson can optimize routes and quickly communicate and solve any issues in real-time.
Nearly everything a food processor does can contribute to food safety for employees and consumers. Below are some of the best selling from Nelson-Jameson in 2024.
The foundation of the best foods is the best ingredients. Beyond taste and texture, overall product quality, food safety, and nutritional value all require the highest-quality ingredients. They’re how food and dairy processors can differentiate their products, keep customers coming back, and build a strong brand reputation.
Starter media
Best selling starter media: Starter Culture Media
Ripening enzymes
Best-selling ripening enzyme: Flavor Producing Enzyme/Lipase
Peppers
Best-selling pepper ingredients: Brined Jalapeno Peppers
Trending products:
Givaudan Annatto WS 28 Liquid Food Coloring
dsm-firmenich Delvo®Cid+ Natamycin Liquid - Natural Food Preservative
High-quality lab supplies are a must for any food processor. They're crucial in ensuring consistent results, enhancing efficiency, and contributing to a safe working environment.
Food processing facilities are only productive when they’re up and running. Nelson-Jameson is a single-source supplier of equipment, accessories, and the food safety expertise needed to ensure continuous smooth operations. Below are the top categories we saw in the past year.
Process Equipment & Accessories
Equally important to food safety is the safety of food processing plant staff. Providing employees with proper protective gear, such as gloves, aprons, hairnets, and safety glasses can minimize the risk of accidents, injuries, and even contamination while reducing costs. Investing in high-quality PPE not only protects food processing workers, it also helps maintain regulatory compliance and enhances overall operational efficiency.
High-quality bulk packaging products are essential for food manufacturers to ensure the safety, freshness, and appeal of their products. By using durable and reliable packaging materials, food processors can protect their products during transportation and storage, prevent contamination, and extend shelf life. Below are the categories where we saw the most investment in quality packaging solutions to help reduce waste and optimize supply chain efficiency.
Any food processing environment must be clean and sanitary at all times to ensure food safety. Investing in quality JanSan supplies helps food processors improve hygiene standards, comply with food safety regulations, and create the best possible products for consumers. These are just a few of our most popular JanSan items from 2024.
Combating threats to food safety requires a holistic approach. Accurate and reliable testing and analysis in food processing are as important of a piece to that approach as ever before. State-of-the-art equipment allows food processors to ensure product quality, safety, and compliance with regulatory standards. Precise measurements, rapid analysis, and efficient troubleshooting are all necessary for improving product quality and increasing efficiency. These are the best-selling lab equipment items trending in 2024.
Proper tools require proper maintenance, which extends the lifespan of facilities and equipment, reducing long-term costs. Investment in reliable maintenance products helps food processors prevent equipment breakdowns, reduce downtime, and ensure compliance with safety and sanitation regulations. Here are some of the most popular tools that help food manufacturers run effectively all year.
Maintenance
With effective cleaning agents and sanitizers, food processors can prevent the spread of bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants and ensure food safety in their products as well as safety for workers. Investing in reliable cleaning chemicals can help food processors improve hygiene standards, comply with food safety regulations, and create the best food safety outcomes. Here are some of the best-selling cleaning chemicals from 2024.
Sanitizers
Best-selling sanitizer: Hydrite HydroxySan Plus (contact us)
Alkali cleaners
Best-selling alkali cleaner: Hydrite - Ultra 1030 (No. 1226) Alkaline CIP Cleaner
Acid cleaners
Best-selling acid cleaner: Hydrite - MPA No. 168
Reliable pallets, carts, and conveyors can streamline workflows, reduce labor costs, and minimize the risk of accidents. Investing in quality materials handling solutions helps food processors improve productivity, enhance worker safety, and maintain product integrity. Here are some of most popular material handling categories and items in 2024.
Below are the top 3 most popular items for food processors at Nelson-Jameson in 2024: