Peeps Maker Temporarily Closes Plants

Concerns about coronavirus prompts Just Born Quality Confections to suspend production of Easter favorite and other products

Mar 30th, 2020

Just Born Quality Confections closed the doors of its facilities in Philadelphia and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on March 31, a temporary work stoppage that will go on through at least May 4. The company plans to use the time to further clean and sanitize its production facilities, offices, and corporate headquarters. According to the company, its Easter favorite Peeps have already been shipped to retailers for this year's holiday, and it still has sufficient inventory of its Mike and Ike, Hot Tamales, and Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews for the short term.

With demands caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, West Liberty Foods had to shift more of its production from bulk food service packages to smaller retail packages for consumers.

Counting Down the Top 10 Articles of 2021 – No. 3: COVID-19 Provides a Push for Digital Innovation

Join us as we look back at ProFood World’s most popular articles of 2021. At No. 3, a look at the state of automation in the food and beverage industry reveals the pandemic’s effect on digital initiatives.

The CIP system has the capacity to clean half the plant, covering 21 different circuit points, and fits in a very confined space in a dedicated CIP room.

Counting Down the Top 10 Articles of 2021 – No. 5: Kraft Mac and Cheese Modernization

Join us as we look back at ProFood World’s most popular articles of 2021. No. 5 comes out of ProFood World’s Manufacturing Innovation Awards, where we recognize outstanding food and beverage processing and packaging projects.

The CIP system has the capacity to clean half the plant, covering 21 different circuit points, and fits in a very confined space in a dedicated CIP room.

Kraft Mac and Cheese Modernization

Completed on time during the height of the pandemic, a multi-line expansion project for Kraft Heinz’s macaroni and cheese product increased production output without disrupting the Wausau plant’s existing production schedule.

Concerns About COVID-19 Being Addressed by Government, Businesses

The U.S. Department of Labor has issued an emergency temporary standard that increases protections for private sector workers, while companies like Tyson make strides in providing safer, healthier environments.

Global 250: Health Comes to the Fore

If one word sums up prevailing consumer attitudes, it’s “Health.” Despite the shakeup amid the ongoing pandemic, many top companies in ProFood World’s Global 250 Food and Beverage Manufacturers list have maintained their positions.

unPACKed with Profood World

unPACKed with ProFood World Podcast: Refitting Processing Plants in a Pandemic

Listen to the inaugural unPACKed with ProFood World podcast for insight on the tumultuous past 18 months for food processing facilities and the industry's future plans for avoid repeating some of the same mistakes.

Getty Images 1138796177

Pandemic-Related Health and Hygiene Consumer Trends Affecting Beverage Market

Product safety demands and active health management are two areas that have increased since the start of the pandemic, and the results on the beverage industry will likely be long-term.

Getty Images Diversity Inclusion

Manufacturing Skills Gap Widens in the Wake of COVID-19

A new study by Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute says the pandemic erased 1.4 million U.S. manufacturing jobs. And, even as the industry rebounds, the remaining unfilled jobs could cost the U.S. economy $1 trillion.

Pandemic-Driven Changes in Food and Beverage Plant Design

Food and beverage producers don’t see COVID-19 as a one-time event. As they actively prepare for the next global pandemic, they’re looking at the changes they need to make in plant design. Find out about their new ideas in this Take Five video.

While most agree we won’t be returning to normal as we have known it, they also agree there will be a continual need for discipline and repeatability in manufacturing in the new normal world as well.

Coronavirus’s Impact, Learnings, and the Value of Discipline

Prior to the pandemic, manufacturers spent most of their time optimizing assets and processes. When the crisis struck, the industry was forced to reinvent day-to-day activities. Refocusing on people is the key to being prepared for future uncertain times.

In many food plants, workers are in close proximity, causing concerns for spreading contagions.

Pushing Change to Keep Workers Safe, Plants Running

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted food and beverage manufacturers to implement several new safety measures along with cutting-edge technologies geared toward maintaining production in a booming market. As we move forward, which changes will take root?

Top 5 food packaging fails

Top 5 food packaging fails

Fix your food packaging fails to protect your customers and brand’s reputation.

Getty Images 453533793 Meat Processing Web

Pandemic Gives Boost to Smaller Meat Processing Plants

Though COVID-19 certainly caused its share of issues as meat processors raced to figure out how to keep their workers safe, one of the biggest challenges the smaller organizations have faced is how to keep up with the rising demand.

CANtastic hygienic sleeve for aluminum cans

Protective Packaging Demand Grows During Pandemic

Consumer demand for protective and hygienic packaging during the COVID-19 pandemic has brought new innovations in the areas of sleeve, film, and cardboard coatings.

FDA & CDC: No Transmission of COVID-19 Through Food or Food Packaging

FDA and CDC continue to underscore that there is no credible evidence of food or food packaging associated with or as a likely source of viral transmission of COVID-19.

Growth of Contract Packaging and Manufacturing Through 2025

Interview with Bush Brothers and Pretzels, Inc. on the expanding role of contract packagers/contract manufacturers during the pandemic, with an introduction by PMG's Jim Chrzan on recent Contract Packaging Association survey results.

Meat and Poultry Workers’ COVID-19 Rates Drop Sharply

New data shows the sector’s workers are far less likely to contract the disease than members of the general public.

With demands caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, West Liberty Foods had to shift more of its production from bulk food service packages to smaller retail packages for consumers.

COVID-19 Provides a Push for Digital Innovation

As food and beverage manufacturers scramble to keep workers safe and shelves stocked, many have moved forward with automation and digital transformation initiatives that might have only been on the radar before the pandemic.

Ec Qkis G5 1920 5ff4ee6bf0c48

OpX Best Practices for Accessing Equipment Remotely

How to select a solution for accessing equipment remotely that can work for both OEMs and CPGs.

Sm Graphic Sookne

Where's my Vaccine?

unPACKed with PMMI podcast tackles why distribution of Pfizer and Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine isn't matching its breathtakingly fast approval.

More in COVID-19

Getty Images 1194849796

COVID Trickle-Down Tied to Potential Corrugated Shortage

The pandemic has pushed e-commerce into overdrive, boosting the demand for corrugated shipping boxes while also slowing down recycling efforts and supply chains, creating a potential problem (or a great opportunity) for the corrugated industry.

Getty Images 1230124575

How FDA Food Supply Data Supports COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution

In the latest FDA Voices post, Dr. Stephen Hahn and Frank Yiannas, M.P.H. discuss how the new data analysis tool, 21 FORWARD, is helping food and agriculture workers receive vaccines.

A case study in the index also reports an escalated interest in trends for health products, such as immunity-boosting foods and drinks.

COVID-19 and the Consumer Landscape

Consumer priorities switch from the environment and general health-related issues to the pandemic, economic concerns, and food safety.

COVID-19 has put new demands on sanitation procedures.

Challenges Amid a Pandemic

COVID-19 is changing the way food and beverage manufacturers manage their cleaning processes and products, accounting for social distancing and increased sanitation requirements.

CDC Gives Meat and Poultry Workers High Priority for COVID-19 Vaccination

Following letters and appeals from the Meat Institute and other food industry groups, the CDC moves food industry workers closer to the top of the list.

Ecolab is using augmented reality from Microsoft to help service its customers remotely, particularly in light of pandemic restrictions on access.

Remote Access Technologies Help Keep Food Sanitation Workers Safe

Cloud services, augmented and virtual reality, and videoconferencing applications are among the latest tools that suppliers are using to keep food and beverage workers safer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Food Plantworker Ppe

Resiliency of the Food Industry

Timelines skewed, international building plans delayed–yet as companies adapt, site search project work continues to move forward.

Hitting the Spot

Start early, do your homework, and determine what you can live with or without when searching for a new facility’s location. Leave no stone unturned in uncovering workforce assistance programs, tax and utility incentives, and potential operating costs.

Data reflects five key shifts in shopping behavior, buying preferences, and food attitudes after nearly a year of COVID-19 pandemic living and cultural shifts.

Keto is the Magic Word for 2021, Along With More Spice and Low-Alcohol Content Drinks

Findings reflect five key shifts in consumer shopping behavior and food attitudes for the year ahead.

Using Beumer Smart Glasses provides operators with hands-free troubleshooting, and helps to mitigate the costs of a technician traveling to the customer site.

Smart Glasses Ease Troubleshooting Communication

Beumer has added augmented reality to the tools available to its customers while servicing equipment, enabling faster, easier support. The OEM even used the smart glasses technology to commission and install new equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

North American Meat Institute Wants Vaccine High-priority Status for Workers

The institute is asking for essential meat and poultry workers to receive COVID-19 vaccinations after healthcare workers.

COVID-19 is unsurprisingly the top priority for consumers at 64%, pushing the environment to second place with 49%.

Study Reveals New Consumer Attitudes

COVID-19 takes first priority, while environment continues to be important. Food safety and food waste are growing concerns.