HPPFS first West Coast contract provider
HPP Food Services (HPPFS) has opened its doors to provide high pressure processing on a contract services basis.
Using a high-production horizontal HPP system from Avure Technologies, the plant has a capacity of 264,000lbs per 20-hour workday.
“Food safety has become such a critical issue today,” observes Susan Ricci, President of the Wilmington, Calif.-based HPP Food Services. “Retailers are also becoming more sophisticated, looking for food products that are all natural while offering extended shelf-life to cut down on waste. High pressure processing destroys harmful micro-organisms and keeps products pathogen free without preservatives, so there are a lot of reasons why it makes sense.”
HPPFS will operate an Avure 350L HPP system, which has the capacity to process over two tons per hour – which is claimed to be the industry’s highest throughput. HPPFS will also offer other value-added services such as labelling, kitting, shipping, and cold storage. The facility’s location in the south bay area of Los Angeles makes it ideal for food processors in southern California.
HPP Food Services’ inaugural customer is Gourmet 101, a nearby food processor. Gourmet 101 is currently rolling out a new line of refrigerated value-added seafood consisting of four varieties of fresh fish (shrimp, tilapia, salmon, and mahi-mahi) in a sauce, sold in 10oz packages.
Gourmet 101 wanted to assure safety and freshness with a 30-day shelf-life for its new product line. “HPP does this with no alteration in taste or texture, so it was the right solution,” says Ms Ricci.
HPP technology is widely deployed throughout the global food industry to protect products as diverse as RTE meats, guacamole, salsas, and hummus, and soups, juices, and deli salads. Avure Technologies is a system provider, with its high-capacity model 350L-600 HPP system offering the world’s fastest cycle times.
“We are excited to welcome HPP Food Services to the ever-expanding network of high pressure processing installations,” states Matt Rutherford, Avure Senior Vice President of Global Sales. “It is very gratifying to play a part in bringing more healthful eating to the consumer arena, and the fact that this is accompanied by a new business opportunity reinforces the value of our technology.”
