BROUGHT TO YOU BY PMMI MEDIA BRANDS:
2026
Edition
Prepared Foods
Innovations Report
From The Editors
Welcome to the 2026 ProFood World/ Packaging World Innovations Report.
This second-year report showcases standout packaging and processing equipment and materials spotted by PMMI Media Group editors at PACK EXPO Las Vegas, held September 29–October 1, 2025.
Editors highlight the defining features of each new product and capture videos of the innovations in action on the show floor. What follows is an organized, category-by-category look at the most noteworthy and genuinely new solutions drawn from hundreds of booth visits, and curated through decades of combined editorial experience.
Participating editors included:
- Matt Reynolds, Chief Editor, Packaging World
- Liz Cuneo, Editor in Chief, Healthcare Packaging
- Derrick Teal, Editor in Chief, ProFood World
- Anne Marie Mohan, Senior Editor, Packaging World
- Lilián Robayo Páez, Editor in Chief, Mundo EXPO PACK
- Silvia Gamba, Assistant Editor, Mundo EXPO PACK
- Casey Flanagan, Associate Editor, ProFood World
- Sean Riley, Editor in Chief, OEM Magazine
- Pat Reynolds, Contributor, Packaging World
- Rick Lingle, Contributor, Packaging World
Prepared Foods
Introduction
Ensuring Food Safety
From high-speed mixing and portioning technologies to precision cooking, packaging, and inspection equipment, manufacturers are adopting integrated solutions that improve throughput, ensure food safety, and enable efficient changeovers. As efficiency and sustainability become increasingly critical, these new systems are helping producers meet market demand while maintaining the highest standards of quality, hygiene, and operational performance.
Prepared Foods
Innovations Report
Materials
Sustainable / Recyclable
Hood Packaging
Recyclable Pet Food Packaging
Recyclable Bag
Joint venture with Dow yields 100% polyethylene packaging that’s store drop-off recyclable.
High Strength
Structure handles net weights to 35 pounds.
At-store recycling options for packaging take a big step forward with this large format bag.
Rick Lingle
Contributing Editor
Recyclable Pet Food Packaging
Hood Packaging
Growth in at-store drop-off recyclable packaging is driven by monomaterial polyethylene packaging.
Recyclable Pet Food Packaging
Hood Packaging
Key Features
The structural and converting details of a large and complex, 100% polyethylene pet-food bag that’s simple to recycle at store drop-off.
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Prepared Foods
Innovations Report
Equipment
High Speed
Operator Friendly
Douglas Machines
1536-FBW Rack Washer and Drying System
Allergen Mitigation
This rack washer is suited for allergen or cross-contamination mitigation, using new water for each batch and performing a 180-degree sanitizing rinse after washing.
Quick Drying
A new drying system uses a heat exchanger and blower to dry the washer's contents in 10 to 15 minutes.
A cross-allergen mitigating washer system helps food and beverage companies safeguard product integrity and brand trust, and an efficient drying system keeps operations moving.
Casey Flanagan
Associate Editor, ProFood World
1536-FBW Rack Washer and Drying System
Douglas Machines
Used water and cleaning solution are discarded each cycle for food safety.
The connected dryer readies contents quickly for the next run.
1536-FBW Rack Washer and Drying System
Douglas Machines
Key Features
Rotating wash nozzles spray down the washer's contents at 160 degrees, before a 180-degree sanitizing rinse. The system can also be fitted with Allen-Bradley controls for easy touchscreen operation.
BEGIN SPONSORED CONTENT
KRONES
PERFITECH
All-in-one batching system, hot and cold products
Compact production unit for liquid food products with various viscosities with or without particulates. Mixing, emulsifying, cooking, and cooling all in one system with programmable process steps.
Alternative Food Processing
Process technology for the fermentative production of alternative proteins.
Contipure AseptBloc
Every beverage production step safely included in an aseptic processing chain.
Modulfill Bloc FS-C
Fully synchronized filler seamer system designed for fast, reliable beverage canning.
END SPONSORED CONTENT
Operator Friendly
Small Footprint
Dynamic Conveyor
DynaClean Radius Turn Conveyor
Sanitary Design
Features including the belting, sidewalls, supports, and control mount are designed to simplify cleaning for operators.
Ease of Integration
The system also includes a tight nose bar to smoothly connect with the next conveyor.
A 180-degree turning conveyor system provides flexibility to optimize layouts in tight spaces, while sanitary design simplifies cleaning and helps maintain food safety.
Casey Flanagan
Associate Editor, ProFood World
DynaClean Radius Turn Conveyor
Dynamic Conveyor
This conveyor features Intralox Series 2400 blue belting to support visual inspection.
Its stainless steel supports are also designed for easy cleaning.
DynaClean Radius Turn Conveyor
Dynamic Conveyor
Key Features
The DynaClean Radius Turn Conveyor combines several sanitary design features with customizable turning radius up to 180 degrees for a food-safe, small-footprint system.
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Energy Efficient
Fast Changeover
High Speed
Smart HMI
Technology Excellence
JBT Marel
Efficient Agitation (EA) Retort
Shorter Stroke
Uses a patented trapezoidal motion profile that delivers greater mix energy in a shorter stroke, reducing cooking and cooling times by up to 30 to 34%.
Uniform Processing
Linear product agitation ensures all products receive the same agitation profile for consistent quality and processing uniformity.
The EA Retort gives packagers a more efficient way to process food with shorter cycles, less resource use, and flexibility for a wider range of sustainable packaging formats.
Anne Marie Mohan
Senior Editor, Packaging World
Efficient Agitation (EA) Retort
JBT Marel
The trapezoidal motion profile results in a sustainable, flexible packaging design that reduces brine usage and cycle time to produce fresher food.
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Efficient Agitation (EA) Retort
JBT Marel
Key Features
Built for packagers that specialize in preservation applications in formats that include pouches, tubs, cups, glass, and other unique, delicate, and challenging containers, as well as retortable foods that benefit from shortened cook times.
Operator Friendly
Loma Systems
X5DE X-ray System
For Complex Products
System can improve detection capabilities for complex products with a mixed density, particularly in instances where identifying contaminants has proven difficult.
Dual Energy Technology
Dual Energy with Multi-level Algorithms is an innovative technology ensuring consistent product quality by identifying foreign bodies in overlapping products.
With enhanced detection accuracy and a more stable system, false rejects are reduced by up to 50%
Pat Reynolds
Contributing Editor
X5DE X-ray System
Loma Systems
Low TCO and minimized maintenance needs accompany the improved security and data exchange.
In addition to new dual-energy technology, a large 19" color touchscreen enhances usability through an intuitive interface.
X5DE X-ray System
Loma Systems
Key Features
Enhanced detection capabilities and simplified operation in a system that is user friendly.
Operator Friendly
Perfex
Deep-Dish Industrial Grade Dustpan
Two-in-One
A Perfex handle can be screwed in to create a standing dustpan, or unscrewed to transform it into a handheld dustpan.
Industrial-Grade Features
This dustpan features a deep dish and large blades for cleaning the broom, making it ideal for industrial environments.
Flexible, multi-use tools like this help operators work efficiently and ergonomically in industrial environments, with the added benefit of space savings.
Casey Flanagan
Associate Editor, ProFood World
Deep-Dish Industrial Grade Dustpan
Perfex
This dustpan includes multiple configurations for different cleaning situations, and a deep dish to clean large messes in industrial environments.
Deep-Dish Industrial Grade Dustpan
Perfex
Key Features
In addition to standing and handheld configurations, this dustpan can nest with an upright broom for easy storage.
Fast Changeover
For Contract Packagers
Operator Friendly
Smart HMI
Sustainable / Recyclable
SIG
SIG Prime 55 In-Line Aseptic Filler
In-line Sterilization
Dual-head filling machine for premade, spouted pouches that features in-line sterilization of pouches.
Product, Size Flexibility
Can package high- and low-acid aseptic products in one- to six-ounce premade, spouted pouches.
The filler reflects today’s focus on flexibility, efficiency, and sustainability, helping brands handle diverse products, reduce waste, and respond quickly to changing consumer demands.
Anne Marie Mohan
Senior Editor, Packaging World
SIG Prime 55 In-Line Aseptic Filler
SIG
In-line sterilization eliminates the need for pre-sterilization of the pouch material, reducing supply chain complexity and improving overall costs.
SIG Prime 55 In-Line Aseptic Filler
SIG
Key Features
Among the package types filled on the machine are the CloverCap Pouch for hot-fill, ambient products, featuring a choke-resistant closure for toddler foods and less plastic compared with a standard rigid package.
Operator Friendly
Squid Ink
SQ-UVT Laser Marking
Replacement for Thermal Transfer
Reduces cost by eliminating the ribbon required in TTO solutions.
Low TCO
Cost of ownership is lower than TTO and maintenance is greatly simplified.
Operators should be happy to know that with this laser marking system they can shed the time-consuming task of adding TTO ribbons on a regular basis.
Pat Reynolds
Contributing Editor
SQ-UVT Laser Marking
Squid Ink
Low TCO, low maintenance, operator friendly, zero consumables.
Especially suitable for applications in the food industry, this laser marker increases uptime and reduces time spent on maintenance.
SQ-UVT Laser Marking
Squid Ink
Key Features
Easy to use, eco-friendly, compact design, reliable, economical.
High Speed
Energy Efficient
TNA
Smart & Integrated Packaging System
Synchronized Processes
TNA offers integrated systems that connect seasoning, packaging, and distribution, from the processing line to the final product, optimizing efficiency across the entire operation.
Shared Spare Parts
The integrated system allows its machines to use the same spare parts, with a shared stock across distribution, seasoning, and packaging operations, reducing inventory costs.
TNA offers an integrated, intelligent, and configurable system that adjusts operations based on demand, optimizing efficiency and reducing operational costs.
Silvia Gamba
Assistant Editor, Mundo EXPO PACK
Smart & Integrated Packaging System
TNA
Intelligent automation functions allow adjusting the distribution speed according to the demand of each packaging unit within the system.
Smart & Integrated Packaging System
TNA
Key Features
TNA’s integrated systems handle everything from raw material intake to secondary packaging, maintaining a continuous flow. By connecting seasoning, packaging and distribution they enable a coordinated and controlled operation along the entire production line.
Prepared Foods
Innovations Report
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Innovations Report
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Innovations Report
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Innovations Report
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Innovations Report
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Our Editors
Matt Reynolds
Chief Editor
Packaging World
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Anne Marie Mohan
Senior Editor
Packaging World
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Elisabeth Cuneo
Editor in Chief
Healthcare Packaging
Derrick Teal
Editor in Chief
ProFood World
Sean Riley
Editor in Chief
OEM Magazine
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Lilián Robayo Páez
Editor in Chief
Mundo EXPO PACK
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Silvia Gamba
Editor
Mundo EXPO PACK
Casey Flanagan
Associate Editor
Packaging World
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Patrick Reynolds
Contributor
Packaging World
Rick Lingle
Contributor
Packaging World
We'd love to hear your feedback!
editors@pmmimediagroup.com
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