Category: General

How Cultures & Enzymes Move the Dairy Industry Forward

by Steve Funk | Senior Cheese Technologist at Nelson-Jameson

Cultures and enzymes are biological catalysts for dairy product production, but they’re also catalysts for the dairy industry as a whole. These hard-working elements work quietly behind the scenes to strengthen the industry’s brand reputation, increase dairy product market share, and delight consumers. 

As the industry continues to adapt to changes and face new and long-standing challenges, cultures and enzymes help dairy advocates respond with answers. The trend toward plant-based alternatives is answered with vegetarian enzymes. Interest in health and wellness is answered with cultures that stimulate the probiotic benefits of yogurts, kefirs, and other cultured dairy. Here are five ways that cultures and enzymes are helping dairy processors.  

Consumer Trends: Year after year, dairy processors aim to strike a balance between tradition and innovation. Consumers count on the availability of their favorite dairy products, but they also want new flavors and formats. Cultures and enzymes keep consumers happy by providing consistently produced dairy staples as well as inventive products that introduce new tastes and textures. They can also impact how well a cheese melts, browns, or blends, providing additional variety to culinary usages. 

Food Safety: The use of cultures and enzymes is increasing because of its success in maintaining the integrity of dairy products and enhancing food safety. New bioprotective cultures can replace chemical preservatives, providing consumers and suppliers with preservative-free products that also have better shelf stability.  Of course, cultures and enzymes are not a substitute for other safety protocols, such as knowing your milk source, understanding plant sanitation, and carefully following all steps in a cleaning process. Still, ongoing advances in cultures and enzymes allow dairy processors to inhibit yeast and mold growth, prevent spoilage, and better protect their products. 

Health and Wellness: Ongoing demand for the gut-health benefits of probiotics continues to keep yogurt at the top of cultured dairy sales. Cultures and enzymes also support other health-driven consumer preferences such as reducing lactose or increasing organic consumption. Beyond product features, the health and wellness benefits of cultured dairy enhance awareness of and interest in dairy as a category and its place in the famous food pyramid.

Food innovation: Industry scientists continue to find new pathways for cultures and enzymes. Product developers can use a 50-year-old, patented culture and/or a novel culture developed within the last year to expand a product line – the old and new work in tandem with each other.  Technical experts are creating new avenues for culture and enzyme usage, such as the use of non-traditional cultures to transform the effects in long-standing cheeses. Dairy processing operations benefit from culture and enzyme innovations as well. They can be added to help accelerate production or make it easier to utilize equipment. 

Brand Strength: As dairy processors utilize cultures and enzymes to enhance product uniqueness, satisfy consumers, and find creative solutions to challenges, a bonus result is industry brand strength. Consumers stay engaged with a food & beverage category when it’s both consistent and innovative, and fosters trust in food safety and health benefits.  In turn, this brand strength bolsters marketing and selling opportunities. 

Cultures and enzymes continue to be the workhorses of cultured dairy products, but they’re also indirect lobbyists for the industry. Dairy processors can benefit from continued focus on the role of cultures and enzymes in all aspects of production. 

If you need more insight on enzymes for your dairy product production, contact the experts at Nelson-Jameson (www.nelsonjameson.com).


About Steve Funk

Steve Funk is Senior Cheese Technologist at Nelson-Jameson. As a passionate dairy industry veteran with more than 40 years of experience, he provides customers with advice on ingredients, production processes, and manufacturing improvements to enhance cheese and fermented dairy product results. His innovative approach to quality cheese-making has helped dozens of customers create and launch unique cheese recipes that are market favorites today. Steve is an active member of numerous dairy industry associations and serves as a WDPA representative on the prestigious Master Cheesemakers Board. He supports the next generation of dairy innovators by serving as a NE-DBIC Dairy Processor Expansion Grant reviewer and a mentor for its Northeastern Dairy Product Innovation Competition, an inaugural program managed by Cornell University’s Center for Regional Economic Advancement and the Northeast Dairy Foods Research Center. He holds a B.S. in Dairy Science and Animal Health from the University of Vermont. When not at work, he enjoys skiing, kayaking, gardening, and spending time with his wife of 38 years, Carla, and their daughter and grandson.

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Nelson-Jameson Wins Int’l Dairy Foods Association Safety Recognition Award

Leading dairy distributor earns win for excellence in worker safety

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Marshfield, WI—August 8, 2023 | Nelson-Jameson, a leading distributor in the food and dairy industries with the highest standards of quality, safety and compliance, has won a 2023 International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA) Safety Recognition Award.

IDFA created this award to recognize members whose processing facilities and trucking operations demonstrate excellence in worker safety as part of a continuous effort to reduce occupational illness and injury. The company has won the 2023 Outstanding Record of Worker Safety, and it was awarded to all five Nelson-Jameson distribution centers in Marshfield, WI; York, PA; Turlock, CA; Twin Falls, ID; and Amarillo, TX.

To be eligible for award consideration, facilities must have a Total Recordable Cases (TRC) rate and Cases with Days Away from Work, Job Transfer, or Restrictions (DART) rates less than 50 percent of industry averages, as provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Nelson-Jameson incorporates its safety standards from a thoughtful pre-hire process, new hire training, job shadowing, monthly training, and continual employee engagement to ensure all employees have the tools to do their jobs safely.

“Nelson-Jameson strongly believes that accidents and injuries are preventable, and we prioritize safety each day at all our strategic distribution centers across the country,” said Mike Rindy, Nelson-Jameson president. “We are so honored to receive this recognition which is a direct result of our employees’ tireless efforts to reduce and prevent illness and injury on the job.” The complete list of award winners can be found on IDFA’s website (www.idfa.org) and via a press release to coincide with OSHA’s Safe + Sound Week from August 7-13.


About Nelson-Jameson  

Nelson-Jameson is a fourth-generation, family-owned distributor to the food and beverage industry. From the company’s roots in dairy production supplies, it grew to offer a broad range of food processing equipment and services that provide customers with everything they need to manufacture safe, high-quality products. Representing over 850 vendors and distributing over 60,000 products, Nelson-Jameson offers everything from standard equipment to custom production solutions and equipment repair.  The company employs more than 260 people in five distribution centers across the United States and at its headquarters in the heart of dairy country in Marshfield, Wisconsin. The dairy industry leader also operates NEXT Logistics, offering delivery services from Wisconsin, California, Idaho, Pennsylvania, and Texas distribution centers.  

For more than 75 years, Nelson-Jameson has supported food and dairy processors with products and solutions that keep pace with changing consumer tastes, manufacturing processes, and distribution channels. The company continues to be the supplier of choice for customers in all 50 states and international markets.  

For more information, please visit: https://nelsonjameson.com


Food Processing Distributor Nelson-Jameson Announces New Charitable Foundation

The Foundation will provide financial support to employees, local communities, and the industry

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Marshfield, WI – April 19, 2023 | The Nelson-Jameson Family of Companies recently announced the launch of the Nelson-Jameson Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to cultivate prosperity for employees, local communities, and the industry through a diverse range of philanthropic programs. One of the tenets of the Nelson-Jameson Foundation is the belief that supporting communities is the shared responsibility of every citizen and corporation.“

The launch of the Nelson-Jameson Foundation continues our company’s 75-year legacy of charitable giving and underscores our commitment to employee wellbeing.” says Amanda Sasse, fourth-generation owner. “We’re a golden-rule company that strives to maintain a culture of honesty, integrity, and kindness. The Foundation allows us to invest in these values for the benefit of our employees, their families, and our community.”

The roster of programs supported by the Nelson-Jameson Foundation provides financial, emergency, and educational support to employees and their families. It also empowers employees to take part in directing resources toward community causes they care about that also embody Nelson-Jameson’s company values. The list of programs includes:

  • Volunteer Program – The Volunteer Program empowers employees to be agents of social impact by providing paid volunteer time during regular business hours for up to eight hours per year at 501(c)(3) charitable organizations and schools.
  • Employee Crisis Fund – To help employees cope during an unexpected crisis due to a federal, state, or locally-declared emergency, the Nelson-Jameson Foundation can provide emergency assistance through the Employee Crisis Fund.
  • Donation & Charitable Giving Grants – The Foundation will continue to support 501(c)(3) entities that practice its core values through Donation and Charitable Giving Grants.
  • Matching Gift Program – The Matching Gift Program matches donations that employees make to 501(c)(3) charities. Employees can submit for one or two charities, and Nelson-Jameson will match up to $2,500 per employee per year.
  • Scholarship Program – Through the Foundation’s Scholarship Program, family members of Nelson-Jameson employees can apply for scholarships at accredited two- or four-year colleges. An independent committee of former educators will review the applications and make final decisions on recipients. Up to five students can earn scholarships of $2,500 each.

Nelson-Jameson has named an internal board to oversee and continue building its Foundation’s operations. More information on the company can be found at nelsonjameson.com.


About Nelson-Jameson

Nelson-Jameson is a fourth-generation, family-owned distributor to the food and beverage industry. From the company’s roots in dairy production supplies, it grew to offer a broad range of food processing equipment and services that provide customers with everything they need to manufacture safe, high quality products. Representing over 850 vendors and distributing over 60,000 products, Nelson-Jameson offers everything from standard equipment to custom production solutions and equipment repair. The company employs more than 260 people in five distribution centers across the United States and at its headquarters in the heart of dairy country in Marshfield, Wisconsin. The dairy industry leader also operates NEXT Logistics, offering delivery services from Wisconsin, California, Idaho, Pennsylvania, and Texas distribution centers.

For more than 75 years, Nelson-Jameson has supported food and dairy processors with products and solutions that keep pace with changing consumer tastes, manufacturing processes, and distribution channels. The company continues to be the supplier of choice for customers in all 50 states and international markets.

For more information, please visit: https://nelsonjameson.com


Understanding Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA)

Every year, destructive and deadly dust-related fires and explosions affect a wide range of industries around the globe, including the food processing industry. 

According to the 2021 Combustible Dust Incident Report Summary by Dust Safety Science, in the United States alone, there has been an average of 133 fires, 30 explosions, 39 injuries, and one to six fatalities per year (between 2016 and 2021). 

To help manage dust-related fires, flash fires, and explosion hazards, the NFPA® introduced NFPA 652: Standard on the Fundamentals of Combustible Dust

All facilities that handle or produce combustible dust, or particulate solids that may become dust, are at risk of a potential dust explosion. NFPA 652 defines combustible dust as a “finely divided combustible particle solid that presents a flash fire hazard or explosion hazard when suspended in air of the process-specific oxidizing medium over a range of concentrations.” A dust explosion occurs when the following elements combine at the same time: combustible dust, oxygen in air, dispersion, confinement, and ignition. 

To improve plant safety and minimize or mitigate potential risks, NFPA 652 requires facilities to complete a Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA).

What Is A Dust Hazard Analysis?

DHA is a tool used to identify the specific combustible dust hazards associated with a facility’s process to determine where credible fire, flashfire, and explosion hazards exist—allowing a facility to create a plan to minimize or mitigate potential risks.

Who Is Required To Complete A Dust Hazard Analysis?

All facilities that manufacture, blend, package, repackage, convey, or handle combustible dust or particulate solids that may become dust are required to complete a Dust Hazard Analysis per NFPA 652.

Who Can Complete A Dust Hazard Analysis?

NFPA 652 recommends a Dust Hazard Analysis be completed by a team (not required) and led by a qualified person (required). If a facility decides to complete a DHA as a team, Plant Engineers, Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) personnel, and Plant Management are frequently involved in the process as they all provide valuable perspectives. Consider including Maintenance and Operations personnel who often have hands-on experience for additional insight to potential combustible dust hazards.

It is highly recommended to have a third-party conduct and complete a Dust Hazard Analysis to avoid the risk of overlooking potential hazards. Contact Nelson-Jameson for third-party referrals in your area.

When Is A Dust Hazard Analysis Required?

NFPA 652 requires a Dust Hazard Analysis to be completed for all new installations or expansions/upgrades to existing installations. A Dust Hazard Analysis should also be completed every five years, even if no changes have been made.

Why Is A Dust Hazard Analysis Required?

Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ’s) require a Dust Hazard Analysis be completed to comply with NFPA 652. (AHJ’s = OSHA, Insurance Providers, Facility Safety Personnel, & Fire Marshals). The DHA will provide the facility with the areas/environments in which updates are necessary to comply with NFPA 652. Example: combustible dust safe certified industrial vacuums (not including shop-style vacuums or non-certified vacuums).

Currently, NFPA 652 is the standard for dust basics and is a good starting point for combustible dust standards, best practices, and the requirements for a Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA). The other five standards, all of which are commodity-specific, are:

  • NFPA 61: Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Dust Explosions in Agricultural and Food Products Facilities
  • NFPA 484: Standard for Combustible Metals
  • NFPA 654: Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids
  • NFPA 655: Standard for Prevention of Sulfur Fires and Explosions
  • NFPA 664: Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities

A Dust Hazard Analysis varies for each company depending on their specific requirements. Contact Nelson-Jameson for referrals on third-parties to conduct a Dust Hazard Analysis for your facility.


Celebrate June Dairy Month By Entering The Nelson-Jameson Dairy Art Contest

June Is National Dairy Month!

To celebrate this very special month in all its glory, the Nelson-Jameson family invites you and your families to get a little “cheesy” so we can really “milk” these “moo-velous” month-long festivities! We’re looking for the best dairy-centric projects from YOU to showcase our collective love for dairy.

Dairy Art Contest participants are asked to submit artwork or photos that represent and celebrate dairy.

Please Submit Any Of The Following:

  • Drawing of the cutest cow
  • Photo of your favorite cheese plate or butter board
  • Family photo with cows on a local farm
  • Photo of your family making your favorite cheese dish – mac ‘n’ cheese, a grilled cheese sandwich, even fondue!
  • Photo of your kids eating their favorite ice cream (the more scoops, the better!)
  • Best arts and craft project out of a milk carton or jug

This promotion is open to individual legal residents countrywide, except employees (and their immediate families and members of the same household) that work in the marketing department at Nelson-Jameson, Inc., its parent, subsidiaries, and affiliates. Contestants under the age of 18 must have parental or legal guardian consent to participate.

Please read all Official Rules for contest requirements.

The best submissions will be featured in a 2024 Nelson-Jameson calendar.

Winning

Twelve winners will be chosen by the Contest Sponsors’ Marketing Department and the selected artwork will be displayed in the 2024 Nelson-Jameson Calendar. The twelve winners will be individually recognized by Nelson-Jameson. 

Winning photographs may be displayed on the Nelson-Jameson website, and social media properties.

Deadline for submissions is June 30, 2023 at 5:00 pm.
Submissions are limited to one per applicant.