Managing Frozen Foods

Based on work with more than 30 industrial and academic organizations, including Nestle, Unilever, and Danone, this book provides a unique overview of the entire supply chain. Noting the key quality factors at each stage of production, distribution and retail sales of frozen food, this book will demonstrate why quality is a fundamental advantage in this multi-billion dollar industry. Frozen Foods are no longer the "step-child" of the food industry. Bland basic staples have given way to a new line of items containing high-quality ingredients that not only are tasty, but nutritious, too. Managing Frozen Foods traces the roots of frozen food from Clarence Birdseye to the present and explains what made tonight's dinner reality - and what will make tomorrow's even more safe and delicious. This book will serve as an invaluable resource for technicians and engineers within the frozen food industry, as well as a useful reference for students of food science and technology.

Table of Contents:
INTRODUCTION, C. Kennedy, University of Leeds MAINTAINING SAFETY IN THE COLD CHAIN, L. Bogh-Sorensen, Danish Veterinary and Food Administration Introduction Response of micro-organisms to freezing The major risks in the supply chain for frozen foods Techniques for microbiological analysis Sampling Effects of temperature abuse Thawing techniques New development in research Summary: Effective monitoring and product quality FRUIT AND VEGETABLES: THE QUALITY OF RAW MATERIAL IN RELATION TO FREEZING, A. Maestrelli, IVTPA, Milan, Italy Introduction Factors effecting F & V cultivar selection suitable for freezing Technological factors Sensory factors Agronomic and technological aspects of potatoes for freezing Nutritional factors How to measure subjective and objective F & V quality characteristics Future perspective of F & V cultivar selection for frozen products Summary THE PRE-TREATMENT OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES, D. Torreggiani (IVTPA, Milan), T. Lucas (CEMAGREF), A-L Raoult-Wack (CIRAD) Introduction Blanching Partial dehydration and formulation techniques Future trends Summary THE PRE-TREATMENT OF MEAT AND POULTRY, C. James, FRPERC, Bristol Introduction Influence of the live animal Pre- and post-slaughter handling New trends Summary References THE SELECTION AND PRE-TREATMENT OF FISH, N. Hedges, Unilever Research Colworth Introduction to freezing of fish What are the elements of the frozen fish product supply chain? Freezing of fish Changes occurring on frozen storage Pre-freezing factors which influence the quality of frozen fish products The effect of freezing rate The effect of temperature cycling Summary Further reading FACTORS AFFECTING THE STABILITY OF FROZEN FOODS, N.E. Zaritzky, CIDCA, La PLata Physical changes during freezing and frozen storage The chemistry of frozen foods The impact of freezing on food quality New trends in research Summary: Maximizing quality in the freezing process FREEZING PROCESSED FOODS, C. Kennedy, University of Leeds, England Introduction Ready meals Bakery products Ice cream Bibliography FREEZER TECHNOLOGY, J.P. Miller (Air Products pic) and C. Butcher (Copywrite) Introduction Refrigeration systems Freezers Choosing a freezer SELECTING PACKAGING FOR FROZEN FOODS, M. George, Camden and Chorleywood Food Research Association, Chipping Campden Introduction Essential requirements for frozen food products Legislative responsibilities Types of packaging material Assessing the suitability of packaging material for different products Packaging machinery Future developments in frozen food packaging Summary: How packaging can maximize product quality References STORING FROZEN FOOD: COLD STORE EQUIPMENT AND MAINTENANCE, R. Fuller, Consultant Storage, shelf life and product quality Cold store design Detail design features Monitoring and recording product conditions Good operating practice New developments Summary RETAIL DISPLAY EQUIPMENT, F. Polonara, University Degli Studi di Ancona Introduction Design of display cabinets Variations for different product types Installation Operation, monitoring, maintenance, breakdown New developments Legislative issues Summary FUTURE TRENDS IN FROZEN FOODS, C. Kennedy, University of Leeds Introduction Consumers will want more frozen foods - markets Frozen food will be more nutritious Ice crystals will be smaller - controlling ice nucleation And they will stay smaller - controlling ice crystal growth The frozen food chain will be controlled more effectively We will have wider choice and better display when we go shopping If we go shopping at all Summary Bibliography