FoodPAC Announces FY 2009 Research Program

The Food Processing Advisory Council (FoodPAC) has approved a total of 13 projects for FY 2009 funding at a combined amount of $1,300,200 (amount includes both general and bond funds). The projects address a research priority in one of FoodPAC’s three technical focus areas and are divided as follows: 5 in Process and Product Improvement, 4 in Food Safety and Health, and 4 in Environmental.

Project Spotlight

Automated Missed Bone Screening System to Aid in Quality Control

Further processed products are the mainstay of the poultry industry, with the key player usually being deboned fillets. However, missed bones, particularly the clavicle and fan, in these fillets continue to be of concern to processors. Current screening techniques are labor-intensive and can be expensive, not to mention, they are not as accurate as desired. Georgia Tech researchers are developing a new approach for automatic screening of bone on the cone line providing an opportunity not only to assist in finding missed bones but also providing real-time monitoring of product yield.

Researcher Profile

Colin Usher

Principal Investigator of FY 2009 Project:
“Mid-Line Inspection System Field Trials”

Job title: Research Scientist, Georgia Tech Research Institute, Food Processing Technology Division

Industrial Partners: A Closer Look

As a part of Georgia’s Traditional Industries Program, FoodPAC was designed to bring industry leaders and university-based researchers together to develop and implement practical solutions to improve industrial competitiveness. FoodPAC’s industrial partners represent companies across the food manufacturing sector, ranging from fruits and vegetables to beef and poultry. In each issue, The Food Chain will take a closer look at one of these partners.

Check the Publications page for archived issues of our newsletter, The Food Chain, and FoodPAC's Reports to Industry (annual reports), which give an overview of the research being performed within the Traditional Industries Program.

Also available are the Operational Guidelines for FoodPAC.

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