This week's Fun Friday includes a bagel with no holes, the most popular pizza chains by state, and more.

Bagels continue to tempt consumers, with better-for-you versions attracting attention and dollars.

KPM Analytics has announced three new instrument configurations for its Unity Scientific SpectraStar product line.

ADM has announced that the company has achieved net carbon neutral status for its U.S. flour milling operations.

Bread is a universal language. Nearly every culture has historical roots in forming judicious combinations of water and grains, seeds, pulses, starches, and other substrates, often functionally lightened with some sort of leavening, and perhaps a dash of salt for flavor. It’s the quintessential expression of science, art, and sustenance.

Swiss technology group Bühler and Ardent Mills celebrated the opening of Ardent Mills’ new Port Redwing Mill in Gibsonton, Florida. 

Total grain intake is associated with lower risk of type 2 diabetes.

Pete Levangie, CEO, Bay State Milling, speaks on the current global grain sourcing situation.

According to the grain company, the products offer higher protein and more beta-glucan.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recognize grains as an important part of a healthy eating pattern. Grain foods provide dietary fiber as well as essential vitamins (i.e., folate, thiamine, niacin, vitamin B6, riboflavin, and vitamin A) and minerals (i.e., iron, zinc, manganese, copper, magnesium, phosphorous, and selenium).

Sweegen’s footprint in Europe became stronger after the European Union Commission published its approval of Sweegen’s non-GMO Signature Bestevia Rebaudioside M (Reb M) for use in food and beverages.

The sweetener is 90% as sweet as sucrose while containing 60% fewer calories.

Usage The food ingredient landscape is changing, with consumers shifting their focus away from specific ingredients to overall calories and nutrition.

van Poppel will lead the food solutions firm in its efforts to improve its environmental impact.

The limited-time protein bar is made with sustainable, Hawaii-sourced ingredients.

ADM has reached an agreement under which Golden Peanut, its peanut processing subsidiary, will collaborate with Smucker and the National Black Growers Council to support the adoption of regenerative agriculture practices.

An engineer’s perspective on cleaning efficiencies is scary on its own merit—and I’m certainly going to date myself here—but remember the old boil tanks sanitation was so proud and protective of?

Feel Good Foods, a gluten-free frozen comfort food brand, has announced availability of its Jalapeno Bites, now available at Costco stores in the Bay Area.

Handcrafted in small batches, artisanal crackers made with real clover honey are filled with dark chocolate liquor combined with ethically sourced, dry roasted peanuts milled creamy.

Stellar Snacks recently debuted grain-free pretzels crafted with superfood ingredients, now officially available at select grocery stores throughout the U.S.

Chicago Specialty Bakers brings traditional, Old World baked goods to life for today’s discerning consumers.

Golden Boy Pies still retains the homespun ideals of its roots, despite notable expansion over the years—and the future is poised to bring more of the same.

Company: Krispy Kreme, Winston-Salem, N.C.
Website: www.krispykreme.com
Introduced: November 2011
Distribution: National
Suggested Retail: $1.09 for a 4-oz. package of Glazed Chocolate Pie; $4.29 for a 14.9-oz. box of Dipped Cake

According to the website, ideafinder.com, we consume more than 4.3 billion lb. of snack food a year, which could be why snacks may soon end up becoming America’s favorite meal.

Pretzels have been around for more than a thousand years, originating in southern Europe around 610 A.D., according to historians. Today, crispy, hard pretzels are consumed by people in many of the countries represented at the 2012 Olympics.

Low in calories, high in fiber—popcorn may just be the perfect natural snack. Of course, that doesn’t stop manufacturers from trying to up the ante by enhancing all the whole grain has to offer. Now, popcorn can be found competing with chips, pretzels and even candy in the snacking Olympics.

When it comes to sweet goods like doughnuts, Danishes, sweet rolls, muffins and coffee cake, the market is in a state of flux. As Walter Postelwait, president of Pak Group LLC/Bellarise Baking Ingredients, Pasadena, CA, puts it: “The total segment appears to be growing slowly, but has hot pockets of activity.”

ONE Brands is bringing Reese's peanut butter flavor to the protein bar aisle with the debut of its new Reese's Peanut Butter Lovers flavor-inspired protein bar.

Each box contains eight individually wrapped bites, and they are available in Apple Cinnamon and Double Chocolate flavors.

New nostalgia-inspired protein bars, plant-based nut bars, and savory popped crisps launch at Walmart stores nationwide.

Known for its plant-based, real-food ingredients, Laird Superfood’s Pumpkin Spice line is crafted with a signature blend of ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon, plus real pumpkin.

Snack producers and bakeries can travel multiple avenues toward improved operational efficiency. Additional automation is a natural progression.

Thermal management is crucial to processing, storing and delivering several types of snacks and baked goods. The latest systems cover a wide range of functions, including chilling dough, cooling product after exiting the oven, and refrigerating or freezing finished product. Specialized cold storage facilities also are part of the mix.

Siemens recently announced a limited-time offer, effective until May 31, 2017. Under this program, users of any machine tool with SINUMERIK CNC onboard will receive a variety of additional services, plus training and a 10% discount on spare parts orders. 

EXAIR's new Dual 316 Stainless Steel Cabinet Cooler Systems with ETC (Electronic Temperature Control) keep electrical enclosures cool with 20°F (-7°C) air while maintaining the NEMA 4X rating of the enclosure and removing the heat that could adversely affect the internal components.

The 2020 election is over, but efforts to understand the impacts are just beginning.

In the ongoing grip of the COVID-19 pandemic as we enter a new year, and a new administration in Washington, we reached out for an update from Robb MacKie, President and CEO, American Bakers Association (ABA), Washington, D.C.

The debate over who Thomas Crapper was - or even if there was a Thomas Crapper at all - continues.

We keep super glue on the truck for any time we run into needing an O-ring, but don't have the exact size. 

PEX can be a viable alternative to more traditional materials for fire sprinklers.

You know him (or her). He is the irrational employee. The irrational employee is usually a good producer or an essential person. Here is how to manage him, instead of letting him manage you.

It only takes a little effort to out-recruit the competition. Here are nine ways to become a better recruiter.

Many companies within the construction industry are chasing after the same pool of talent. Here are tips for mitigating the workforce shortage.

The trends that shape our industry are changing at a faster pace than ever before.

US faces a shortage of 500k skilled plumbers, costing $33bn annually. Plumbing requires rigorous training, creative problem-solving, and meticulous execution. Valuing the critical role plumbers play can address the shortage and pave the way for a thriving water infrastructure.

Uponor North America celebrated the grand opening of its newly constructed Uponor Experience Center located at its regional headquarters in Apple Valley, Minnesota in September.

The partnership between Interplay and Peterman comes at a pivotal time as Peterman continues to expand its operations and scale its technical training efforts.

The lab includes a broad range of Trimble’s industry-leading geospatial and construction solutions.

Mechanical contractors are looking to improve operations by cutting costs and boosting efficiency while maintaining quality. A popular solution is the adoption of new technologies, specifically virtual inspection services, which have gained popularity since the pandemic.

 Like the rest of the series, the new products are constructed with high-quality materials and designed for easy installation and maintenance, making them an ideal choice for busy commercial settings.