Technology Wanted:
Low Cost Alternative to Vacuum Frying

Status: Completed
Deadline for Submissions: May-08-15
Award: $2,000 referral fee for each accepted lead.
An accepted lead is a lead that the client decides to follow up on.

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PepsiCo is seeking emerging technologies for either modifications of vacuum frying to reduce operational and capital costs or for novel alternatives that can yield food products with characteristics comparable to those provided by vacuum frying but at a lower cost. The cost target is US$0.20/lb/year of production.

Vacuum frying is used in food processing to decrease the boiling point and thereby the temperature and energy needed to fry a product. The result is better color and nutrient retention compared to conventional frying. Current vacuum frying technologies, however, are relatively expensive in terms of both capital equipment and operational costs and add to the equipment footprint that may make it not feasible for space-constrained processing operations.

Thus, alternative processes that can be used in parallel or in series to generate dehydrated products with the color, texture, taste, and nutrient retention provided by vacuum frying are of interest. In addition to cost reduction, PepsiCo is also seeking technologies that provide improved capabilities to process/dehydrate thicker pieces of vegetables (e.g., chipping potatoes) or that permit the use of fruits and vegetables with higher sugar content (e.g. beets, apples).

1. Have proof of concept technical data demonstrating the reduction of water content to less than 2% while maintaining color, taste, texture and nutrients;
2. Provide processing cost estimates per unit of product; and,
3. Ideally, are within three to five years of commercialization.

Current vacuum frying vendors (e.g., Heat & Control, Florigo)