As consumers become increasingly aware of the health risks attributed to fried and snack foods, the demand for healthier alternatives is rising to a crescendo. Frying equipment from FMC FoodTech can provide an effective response.

Rapidly evolving trends like low fat, low carb, and low sugar options are making consumers choosier, as they search for exactly what they want in a product. As a result, processors in the US and Europe are turning away from the use of transfatty oils and opting for healthier alternatives that are dependent on the right equipment to accommodate new ingredients or processes.

"Choosing between types of oil for a fryer can significantly impact a processor's costs," said Daryl Thomas, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Herr Foods. "Consequently, we need versatile, dependable and cost-efficient equipment that can handle our various needs."

FMC FoodTech designs its fryers to offer features aimed at achieving a high quality, healthier and better-tasting product without raising production costs. By focusing on aspects such as oil turnover, fryer hood designs, oil circulation and oil removal processes, the company provides solutions to customers to create the healthier snack foods desired in today's marketplace without affecting quality and flavour characteristics. For example, to ensure a shorter oil turnover rate, the fryers are built to hold the lowest possible amount of oil in the complete system. The lower the turnover rate - ideally 6-8 hours - the fresher the final product.

"Processors today want flexible and reliable equipment in order to keep up with consumer demands and produce a healthier, more stable and better-tasting product," said Goran Wadsten, sales manager for FMC FoodTech's Kristianstad, Sweden facility. "For this reason, they're putting greater emphasis on a fryer's features and design when they decide to reinvest. We understand the important role oil quality plays in fryer design and the savings it can translate into for our customers."

The focus on oil quality is evident in the fryer hood design featured on the Multi-Flow Chip Fryer, which protects oil from breaking down during the frying process. Oxygen, light and solid particles can cause the oil to disintegrate faster resulting in a not-as-fresh taste.

The hood is designed so that the moisture escaping the product forms a steam "seal" above the oil surface, protecting it from the surrounding air. The Multi-Flow Chip Fryer is also equipped with an outer frying oil circulation system, which includes a continuous oil filter, circulation pump and heat exchanger to maintain high quality oil and achieve even heat transfer. The continuous oil filter separates particles from the oil, which is then filtered twice a minute through the circulation pump. The heat exchanger heats the frying oil by thermo oil or high pressure steam.

Another option available to processors of fried snack foods is the Defatter, ideal for potato chips, fish fingers, tortilla chips and other fried foods. The Defatter, or Fat Stripper, has been proven to achieve a low-fat product - reducing the fat content by as much as 35 per cent - with greater customer appeal. For example, the weight of a typical potato chip is approximately one-third oil. By utilising the fat stripper, the percentage of oil content is decreased to one-quarter the weight of the entire chip.

"Removing the proper amount of oil from the potato chip is very important," said Wadsten. "Removing too much oil can create the stale, cardboard-like consistency and flavour that no consumer desires. A potato chip composed of 25 per cent (one-quarter) oil creates a quality, flavourful chip."

By employing superheated steam, the Defatter strips the oil from the surface of the chip after it has been fried. The excess fat is then directed through a special filtration system where the oil is filtered and re-circulated to the fryer in an oxygen-free enclosure that preserves oil quality.

In a consumer-driven market, such as the ever-diversifying snack food industry, producers need to stay flexible and current in order to survive. By anticipating the needs of customers, FMC FoodTech develops solutions to challenges before they even arise, so producers can focus on what's important - delivering a variety of high-quality, healthier snacks to their customers.

Courtesy: Minett Media