New equipment donations enhance food industry research, learning and commercial enterprise at Ohio State pilot plant

COLUMBUS — Eventually, anyone who eats food produced in Ohio may see — or taste — the benefits of some recent equipment donated to The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).

In addition to a new teaching tool for food science students, the gift from nine corporate donors will provide hands-on training and applied research opportunities for Ohio’s food industry professionals and entrepreneurs.

The state-of-the-art systems are located in the pilot plant at the Wilbur A. Gould Food Industries Center in the Ohio State Department of Food Science and Technology:

• An HTST Pasteurizer Skid and Homogenizer allows for processing of milk, dairy and non-dairy products, including frozen dessert mixes, non-dairy milks (almond, soy, etc.), yogurt mixes and juices. This donation was spearheaded by OCS Process Systems with gifts from Rockwell Automation, Pentair, AGC Heat Transfer, Anderson-Negele, Fristam Pumps, Industrial Automation and Tetra Pak.
• An Expander-Extruder-Cooker™, donated by Anderson International Corp., can be used to produce snack foods, breakfast cereals, pet food and animal feed.

“Food companies in Ohio and beyond will be able to conduct relevant trials that are economical and can be scaled up, while having no effect on their operation’s production efficiency,” said Steven Simmons, a program specialist with the Food Industries Center.

“The Food Industries Center now has the opportunity to conduct applied research on a wider variety of food products, with an emphasis on foods for health, which aligns with the focus of the Department of Food Science and Technology, the college, and university,” Simmons said. “All current and future applied research initiatives are developed with the industry in mind. The Food Industries Center’s goal is to produce relevant findings and data that are immediately applicable for the food industry.”

“Thank you to our supporters for their generosity and dedication to our program,” Prof. Valente Alvarez told nearly 100 industry professionals who gathered recently to celebrate the gift and see the equipment at the J.T. “Stubby” Parker Food Science and Technology Building.

“This generous gift epitomizes the importance of industry collaboration with the college,” Department Chair Sheryl Barringer said.