Consultancy

FoodPlus has strong knowledge and expertise in food and process microbiology. We have successfully carried out numerous investigations and risk assessments with many clients in the following areas:

1. Sourcing of microbial contamination in product and process.

• Pathogenic bacteria including Listeria, Salmonella, E.coli, C.P Staph, Bacillus cereus, Clostridium, Cronobacter.

• Indicator organisms including coliforms, Enterobacteriaceae, total bacterial counts.

• Spoilage organisms including Yeast & Mould, spores, thermoduric / thermophilic organisms, Pseudomonas.

• Product discoloration and taints due to microbial contamination.

• Bacteriophage - sourcing, testing and management.

2. Beneficial microorganisms:

• Starter cultures - advice and management.

• Adjunct cultures.

• Probiotics.

Products include:

• Dairy - all types.

• Plant-based products.

• Fresh & frozen fruit and vegetables.

• Flour and milling.

• Seed oils.

• Dips and snacking.

• Health and wellbeing food products.

• Bottled water.

Problems in CIP and manual cleaning contribute to a significant number of microbial contaminations of product. 

We have supported many companies review their CIP processes to better understand CIP deficiencies and limitations, and how to carry out effect validation and verification activities.  Additionally, we also provide training to operators and team leaders on how to optimise the CIP system for turnaround times, chemicals, energy and water usage.

Manual cleaning is also an area which can result in product contamination due to cross contamination.  FoodPlus can audit your manual cleaning processes and advise on cleaning equipment, colour coding, operating procedures, as well as carry out operator training.

FoodPlus has been active in this space, helping companies develop new products and optimise their products and processes.

Whether you plan to develop a new product or want to optimise the performance, functionality and yield of existing products, we can partner with you to help you achieve your goals.

We have strong knowledge and experience in Cheese, Yoghurts & Fermented products (dairy and non-dairy) and Milk & Cream (fresh, ESL, UHT, frozen concentrates).

Understanding the factors that contribute to Cheese Yield are complex and requires a sound understanding of dairy chemistry and the cheese making process.

FoodPlus has helped companies improve their cheese yield through setting up processes for accurately measuring cheese yield and optimising the cheesemaking process to reduce losses and maximise the milk solids in the curd. 

Additionally, we can offer expert advice on cheese maturation and ways to optimise the maturation time to improve cheese quality and reduce costs.

FoodPlus has provided technical support to clients with shelf-life challenges, especially in fresh dairy and non-dairy products where any problems in shelf-life quality have significant implications for the company’s brand.

Additionally, we have provided advice for shelf-life validation surveys and product stability studies.

We have supported companies to validate and overcome shelf-life problems in fresh milk & cream; dairy and non-dairy yoghurts; ice-cream; milk, whey and infant powders; flour products; dips; fresh and frozen fruit & vegetables; health food products and bottled water.

A robust product sensory program is critical to detecting product faults in the minimum amount of time and providing accurate feedback to production to ensure product losses are kept to a minimum.  The real skill in product sensory programs is not only to understand the product attributes, but also to have insights into the likely causes of any defects that are encountered.

Additional to our Product Sensory training short courses, FoodPlus can help companies set up routine sensory evaluation programs and sensory panels.  We can also train staff to understand the likely causes of product defects and ways in which they can be resolved.

Quality Management Systems (QMS), Product Specifications and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are critical to meeting food safety & customer requirements, as well as consistent product quality.

FoodPlus can support companies in the development of these documents to ensure they are user friendly and accurately reflect the business’ vision, culture, products and procedures.

Supply Chain Compliance

FoodPlus have carried out full risk assessments of supply chains to ensure they meet food safety requirements, especially in the area of product temperature during transport and storage.

 Additionally, we have carried out validation work on the receival and storage of raw milk for processing, including validation on the long-haul transport of raw milk when transported between different states.

Biosecurity Science

We can carry out risk assessments and provide technical advice around biosecurity challenges at the farm level as well as for your manufacturing site.

Soil biology

Soil biology is an emerging and complex field where all the living organisms in the soil are studied for their impact on plant health.

The expertise FoodPlus has in food microbiology has been used to provide technical support to fertiliser companies to better understand the role bacteria, yeast and mould have in the soil biota, and how this can be used to develop new products.