The Tortilla Industry Association (TIA) is bringing AIB International’s Tortilla Production Course to the Los Angeles area on Aug. 5-7.

Diameter, shape, opacity and shelf stability are critical product-quality factors for tortilla manufacturers. But their ingredients count to help make these factors work. Feliciano “Sonny” Bejosano, of Allied Blending & Ingredients Inc., looks at ingredients typically used in tortilla formulations and how they impact finished products.

As vice president of sales and marketing, Fernando Alvear will help grow Mi Rancho’s present in the foodservice and grocery sectors.

Tortilla versatility, better-for-you ingredients and on-trend flavors continue to attract consumers looking for bread replacements and healthier eating options.

New shapes, interesting flavors and better-for-you ingredients help make tortilla chips the second most-popular salty snack among U.S. consumers.

The Tortilla Industry Association will hold its first major East Coast event Oct. 21-22 in Atlantic City, NJ. Online registration is available now.

A luxurious new venue, education sessions, exhibitors and plenty of networking and social opportunities await attendees at the 2016 Tortilla Industry Association (TIA) Convention & Trade Exposition in Southern California on May 18–19.

Tortilla Industry Association members will gather in Southern California May 18–19, as TIA moves its Annual Convention & Trade Exposition to Harrah’s Resort Southern California in Valley Center.

Review the information, including new ingredients, equipment, technology and more, from the following companies, which will be exhibiting at the Tortilla Industry Association Convention & Trade Exposition, taking place May 16 to 19 in Southern California

Snack Factory, maker of Pretzel Crisps and a Snyder’s-Lance brand, has reimagined the tortilla with the introduction of Snack Factory Tortilla Chips.

Americans continue to crave Mexican food—so much so that they spend billions of dollars annually at quick-service restaurants like Taco Bell and Chipotle Mexican Grill and on Mexican foods at their local grocery store.

American takeout standbys like pizza and Chinese food should watch their backs, because Mexican cuisine is close behind, says the “Global Palates 2015” report from the National Restaurant Association.

As much as the tortilla category stays the same, it also has been striving to include more clean-label, non-GMO, and organic options. The standard white flour or corn tortilla that you see on grocery shelves will continue to persist, but consumers may see vegetable options like sweet potato tortillas alongside them, too.

According to IBISWorld, tortilla production in the U.S. has grown 3 percent in the past five years thanks to the fact that tortillas, especially ones boosted with ingredients like spinach and whole wheat, are perceived to be healthier than bread during a time when consumers value nutrition.

Dorner’s FlexMove Helix Conveyors are manufactured to meet customer’s needs with build to order inclines and declines, which provide tight spirals in a small footprint for greater flexibility in layout for applications such as accumulation, buffering, cooling product and more.

Fortress Conveyor has recently introduced its newest conveyor, which includes an easy sanitization process. 

Multi-Conveyor recently built a series of powered mild steel conveyors including a unique gravity conveyor to transport tall shaped plastic products.

Spiroflow’s hygienic, totally-enclosed Cableflow tubular cable drag conveyors offer clean-in-place options including wiper discs, air knife purge units, and brush boxes.

A substantial number of snack and bakery processors have turned to tubular drag conveyor systems, which gently move product through a sealed, enclosed tube using a drag cable and circular discs pulled through on a loop.

In this case study, Multi-Conveyor recently built a massive system for a globally-recognized food manufacturer.

Dorner’s new AquaGard Low Profile (LP) conveyor is designed to fit in tight spaces, making it the ideal sanitary conveyor for dry or wipedown applications within the packaging, pharmaceutical, confectionary, bakery, and other packaged food industries. 

Companies that make belts, conveyors, and associated equipment like motors have a wide array of customers in the snack food and wholesale bakery industries, because every food production facility relies heavily on these technologies throughout their processes.

Eaglestone Equipment, a custom manufacturer of industrial food processing equipment, offers the 1150 Fabric Constant Turn Conveyor to help food processors speed up production lines and keep products moving efficiently through manufacturing lines. 

Multi-Conveyor recently built a set of sanitary food-grade conveyors that combine dual lanes of cup-size containers to feed an existing metal detector.  

Key Technology, a member of the Duravant family of operating companies, introduces its new and improved Auto Diverter for its popular Iso-Flo vibratory conveyors.

A new Flexicon Mobile Sanitary IBC Unloading and Conveying System transfers contamination-sensitive bulk solid materials from Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) to downstream processes, dust-free.  

Ideal for metering of food products into packaging lines, such as individual ingredients for snack mixes, finished food products prior to pouching lines, and metering of sensitive or friable food ingredients to blenders. 

Much like its predecessor, the FGP Primary Cleaner, the FGP with External Spring features FDA-approved, food grade materials including a stainless-steel tensioner and a solid pole.

Snack and bakery producers visiting the booth will find a range of solutions aimed at meeting current consumer trends.

FiberSMART is a versatile, well-tolerated sugar alternative that can be consumed multiple times per day.

With cost-effective low usage levels and high stability performance, this kosher, vegan, and halal-certified shade can be used in snack seasonings, bakery products, frostings and decorative coatings, breadings, and more.

Dark chocolate ganache is now available in 8-pound, flexible pouches for chefs nationwide.

The introduction of HarvestEdge Oro comes as the pizza market continues to expand, with the line helping operators tap into new areas.

The purees can be used for bakery items, desserts, and other items.

Gavan introduces FaTRIX alternative protein-enriched fat ingredient that butters up chef pastries and slashes saturated fat by 80%.

The initial offering will include 6-oz. resealable bags for retail as well as 2-lbs. bags perfect for foodservice applications.

PureCircle's new stevia solutions optimize taste performance and sugar reduction across food and beverage categories.

The ingredients open opportunities in the development of plant-based food products with cleaner labels.

The global flavors and fragrances company aims to inspire the science of food community with "sippable" flavors for food and beverage innovation.

Kerry has introduced Biobake Fresh Rich, an enzyme solution for sweet baked goods that delivers longer-lasting softness, freshness, and moistness perception over shelf life, while supporting food waste reduction.

The new Novation Indulge 2940 functional native starch is a label-friendly ingredient that meets the demands of health-conscious consumers looking for an indulgent, plant-based texture in their foods.

Bonumose, Inc., a producer of tagatose, and ASR Group, its distributor, announced that tagatose is also the first ingredient to earn this prebiotic certification.

Heart health and immunity are key concerns amongst consumers seeking to improve their diets and prevent illness.

Gelita is introducing Optibar, an ingredient that allows manufacturers to create future-proof, next generation bars that satisfy two of the most important consumer trends.

The new solution provides preferred texture and sensory attributes, and adds nutritional value to boost consumer preference.

Arla Foods Ingredients has launched a new concept for high-protein bars with a natural positioning.

Artisan breads rely on few ingredients—essentially flour, water, salt and yeast—each serving a critical function in the creation of a finished loaf.

Snacks have to work pretty hard to keep up with consumer preferences these days. For one, they have to be suitably snackable, i.e., convenient and portable.

Cargill's new specialty, powder-like sea salt is ideal for applications that require extremely fine sizing for blending, including dry soup, cereal, flour and spice mixes, as well as for topping snack foods.

SaltWorks has introduced Pacific Blue Micro and Mini Flake Sea Salt, trailblazing finishing salts for manufacturers.