A one-week Practical Short Course on Snack Food Processing in cooperation with The Snack Food Association (SFA) will be presented on March 12-17, 2006, at Texas A&M University. The program will cover establishment of snack food facilities, operating principles and demonstrations of three major types of extruders, supporting equipment, fried corn chips, corn tortilla chips, friction extruder-puffed fried and baked snacks, single, twin-screw extruder snacks, high protein and whole grain snacks, cereal chips, fryers and ovens, packaging, and quality assurance. For more information, programs contact Mian N. Riaz at Texas A&M at 1-979-845-2774 or e-mail at mnriaz@tamu.edu

Knoxville, Tenn.-based Smiths Detection, a global manufacturer of multi-function

X-ray technology, has expanded its manufacturing facility for its Product Inspection Division in Alcoa, Tenn. due to higher production demands for Product Inspection X-ray units. The move to the new Product Inspection Corporate Headquarters coincides with the company’s name change from Smiths Heimann to Smiths Detection.

The Chicago Heights, Ill. plant of Innophos, Inc., has again received the American Institute of Baking (AIB) “superior” rating following an audit of its Sodium Acid Pyrophosphates (SAPP) and Kasal production departments. 

San Diego, Calif.-based Barry’s Bakery, the maker of popular French Twists and new one-calorie Mini Peaks, announces the launch of its new Web site and online store called www.barrysbakery.com. Barry’s products can now be shipped nationally. In addition, health-conscious consumers can obtain nutritional information on each product, find out which retailers carry Barry’s Bakery products and even ask company founder, Barry Yellen, questions about the company and its products.

The Kellogg Co. is adding dozens of jobs to its production facilities in Grand Rapids, Mich. The company also announced plans to add 35 full-time jobs to support a new production line at its Grand Rapids plant on 28th Street. Kellogg recently re-hired 70 full-time employees at the plant. Since 2002, Kellogg has invested $32 million into the Grand Rapids plant. It plans to invest another $15 million in 2005 and 2006. The plant, which already manufactures Pop-Tarts and cereal, will begin making cookies and crackers by early next year.   

The St. Louis, Mo.-based Solae Co. announced its participation with Tetra Pak International in a Nigerian project aimed at reducing widespread childhood malnutrition and bolstering school attendance rates in the health-depressed West African nation. In addition to Solae., groups participating the project include the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) Foundation, Helen Keller International, the University of Toronto, the USAID Compass Project, Good Hope International and Crown Foods.