Industrial Microwave-Assisted Solutions for hygienic and high-quality food production & their future development with Fricke and Mallah

"The industrial applications using microwaves have seen an expansion in recent years and industrial-scale microwave processing units have been developed for drying, precooking of meat, pasteurization of ready meals, and tempering of meat and fish. Modern food consumers are demanding high quality, minimally processed products, which has led to the development of novel microwave processing technologies for thawing and blanching, baking, pasteurization, and microwave-assisted extraction of bioactive compounds." (Microwave technology for food processing: an overview of current and future applications V. Orsat, G.S.V. Raghavan and K. Krishnaswamy, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada)

This article summarizes the current and future developments of microwave (MW) and radiofrequency (RF) in the food industry.

1. The New Era in the Food Industry: COoking, STerilisation, PAsteurisation, NO Valve & No Holes with COSTPANO?

Thanks to its 27 years of experience, Fricke und Mallah Microwave Technology leading Engineering, Design and Manufacturing company of Industrial Microwave Plants, Solid-State and Magnetron Technologies company, developed a new microwave technology for cooking, sterilisation and pasteurisation: COSTPANO?, the innovative heating process marks is considered the beginning of a new era in the heat treatment of foods using microwaves.

How is that possible?

The worldwide patented COSTPANO? process eliminates the overpressure in the tray and the need for both the hole and the valve in the sealing foil. In addition, COSTPANO? sets up very homogeneous temperature fields in the trays or application rooms with a time-linear increase, which enables energy-saving, gentle and aromatic cooking to enhance and preserve colour, texture, nutrients and shelf life.

What are the unique advantages of this new technology?

While other MW companies offer standard tunnels with check valves for ready-to-eat meals with standard and costly packaging methods, COSTPANO? eliminates this requirement for both the hole and the valves in the trays or application rooms by removing the risk of overpressure in the trays.

As a result, COSTPANO? is the only system applicable for the pasteurisation of new sustainable packaging types made of cardboard or organic material up to 140 Celcius. Thanks to the speed and efficiency of this new microwave technology food retain its fresh colour even after pasteurization and tastes like freshly cooked.

2. Keeping nutrients with new technology: Vacuum Freeze-Drying

Fricke und Mallah Microwave Technology acquired a recognised expertise in MW freeze-drying. Shorter drying times for thermally sensitive products food require the use of microwave technology under a vacuum atmosphere. In this process, the ice crystals sublimate directly into the gaseous state without the intermediate appearance of a liquid phase.

Thanks to FM′s expertise in microwave technology, it is a new highly innovative process based on Solid State Microwave Technology without any arcing in typical vacuum atmosphere conditions for freeze-drying. Find out more here: Freeze Drying

3. Food Safety with RF Technology: Dis-infestation & Dis-infection

Fricke und Mallah Microwave Technology also offers a very highly efficient solution for disinfestation and disinfection of dry legumes (pulses, flour, nuts, cereals, spices, grains, lentils, beans, mushrooms, cocoa beans, nuts, seeds, cannabis, and camel milk powder). This new RF technology process dis-infects and destroys eggs, larva, insects, mould, and fungus at high production rates with continuous production. Moreover, it can be added to existing production lines.

RF technology is a chemical-free solution and non-ionising radiation & organic disinfestation that substantially increases shelf life by disinfesting deep within the product without changing its characteristics. Find out more: RF Food Safety

4. Eliminating Drip Loss with Optimal Continuous Thawing

The efficiency and uniformity of this technology solution eliminate drip losses by maintaining a uniform thawing rate across the product and also prevent an increase in microbial load through extremely short processing times. It is a proper application for meat, fish, seafood, fruit, and vegetable products. It also provides flexibility and products can be unpacked - by processing inside the plastic film, the cardboard or plastic box and do not require extra space. Find out more: RF Optimal Thawing

5. Drying, heating, cooking and pasteurizing food products is FM′s core competence

The heat treatment of food - drying, heating and sterilizing - is FM Microwave Technology′s core competence. FM Microwave Technology have optimized numerous production lines for food with our know-how in the microwave process.

The advantages of microwave technology are obvious: significantly shorter time in heating and therefore optimized production processes, fewer interruptions, energy efficiency through direct irradiation of the product, smooth treatment and improved food appearance.

6. Research & Development is the determiner of the microwave industry

Since 1995 Fricke and Mallah Microwave Technology′s been offering innovative solutions based on the needs of a wide range of food industry and other industries. Thanks to its technical capacity and strong networking with the best universities in Germany and investments in R&D the years have led the company to build comprehensive process solutions according to the production requirements of each customer.

General Manager, Mr Marcel Mallah states:

We are a growing family company with our dedicated coworkers, R & D partners and production capacities.

Contact us for your MW & RF related inquiries: [email protected]