Consumer food trends have long impacted bakers and snack manufacturers. Growing demand for specialized products that are gluten-free, whole-grain, low-sodium and more is affecting ingredients selection. Consumer interest in portable, single-serve and re-sealable food packaging is prompting updates to packaging materials and equipment. In turn, these trends—and others—are influencing the type of necessary slicing, cutting and portioning equipment.
“There is definitely an increase in demand for smaller portions that is driving an increase in the demand for the ultrasonic cutters,” says Luc Imberechts, president of Bakon USA Food Equipment Inc., Torrance, CA.