Baar (July 20, 2026) – SGS, the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company, has announced the release of a new white paper, 'Listeria monocytogenes and the New EU Regulatory Framework'.

Developed for food business operators (FBOs) and food safety professionals, the white paper explains the scientific and regulatory background behind Regulation (EU) 2024/2895 and outlines the requirements that apply to ready-to-eat (RTE) foods from July 1, 2026.

Listeria monocytogenes remains one of the most significant foodborne pathogens due to its high fatality rate, ability to grow at refrigeration temperatures and persistence in food processing environments. In response to increasing listeriosis notification rates across the European Union, Regulation (EU) 2024/2895 strengthens microbiological criteria for certain RTE foods and places greater emphasis on scientifically validated shelf-life studies.

The white paper reviews the key regulatory changes and provides practical guidance to help FBOs understand their obligations and prepare for the implementation of the amended requirements.

The white paper explores:

Why Listeria monocytogenes remains a regulatory priority and the public health factors driving increased regulatory attention

Key changes introduced by Regulation (EU) 2024/2895, including stricter microbiological criteria and expanded responsibility across the food supply chain

Which ready-to-eat food categories are impacted by the regulation

Practical compliance strategies, including product assessment, shelf-life validation, HACCP review, environmental monitoring and cold-chain control

The role of routine testing, challenge testing and shelf-life validation studies in demonstrating compliance

The white paper also examines the importance of scientifically robust shelf-life studies and challenge testing in supporting regulatory compliance, particularly for food business operators seeking to demonstrate that Listeria monocytogenes will remain within regulatory microbiological limits throughout a product's shelf life.

Stakeholders can now download 'Listeria monocytogenes and the New EU Regulatory Framework' to learn how Regulation (EU) 2024/2895 will affect ready-to-eat foods and what steps they can take to prepare for compliance.

Montreal, QC — WeighPack Systems, a leading manufacturer of automated packaging machinery, announces the launch of the Swifty S-3600 Duplex, a new high-speed addition to the Swifty Bagger family of premade pouch filling and sealing systems. Designed with dual parallel pouch-handling lanes and servo-driven motion control, the S-3600 delivers increased throughput while maintaining precise pouch handling across a broad range of applications.

The Swifty S-3600 Duplex is engineered for manufacturers seeking higher production capacity without compromising accessibility or flexibility. The machine supports combined outputs of up to 80 pouches per minute, depending on product and application, making it well suited for food, pet food, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, chemical, household, and other industries utilizing premade pouches.

Unlike conventional rotary pouch machines, the Swifty S-3600 Duplex features a straight-through machine layout that provides unobstructed operator access throughout the pouch loading, opening, filling, sealing, and discharge process. The open architecture simplifies inspection, cleaning, maintenance, and product changeovers while improving visibility during operation.

At the core of the system are two independent pouch lanes, each equipped with dedicated pouch pick-up, opening, filling, and sealing stations. A high-capacity dual pouch magazine accommodates up to four pouch stacks, supporting longer production runs with reduced operator intervention.

The servo-driven platform ensures repeatable pouch positioning and synchronized motion throughout the packaging cycle. Twin heated sealing stations followed by cooling stations produce consistent seal integrity across laminated pouch materials while accommodating a variety of pouch styles.

The S-3600 Duplex integrates with a wide range of WeighPack's compatible weigh filling machines, including PrimoCombi multi-head weighers, PrimoLinear net weighers, Star Auger auger fillers and other dry fillers, allowing processors to package solids, powders, granules and other approved products on a single platform. Supported pouch formats include:

• Three-side seal pouches
• Four-side seal pouches
• Stand-up pouches
• Zipper pouches
• Quad pouches with terminating gussets

Machine construction features a 304 stainless steel frame and product contact components, making the platform suitable for demanding production environments. For applications requiring enhanced sanitation, an optional low-pressure washdown configuration is available for the front end of the machine, providing additional cleaning capability in product-handling areas.

Additional configurable options include gas flushing, vacuum station, dust funneling, funnel vibration, zipper closing device, hole punching, pouch laydown transfer, alternate machine flow direction, and CSA or CE conformity packages.

Control architecture includes an Allen-Bradley® CompactLogix PLC, Allen-Bradley Kinetix servo platform, and Schneider Electric 10-inch HMI, providing an industrial controls platform widely adopted throughout North American manufacturing facilities.

"The Swifty S-3600 Duplex extends the Swifty Bagger portfolio with a higher-capacity platform for manufacturers looking to increase throughput while maintaining flexibility and ease of operation," said Luis Pilonieta, sales director. "Its duplex architecture, open machine design, and compatibility with multiple filling technologies make it suitable for a broad range of packaging applications."

July 2026 – Cincinnati, OH

Sanicore Systems, in partnership with Unitech Washing Systems, will be exhibiting at Pack Expo 2026 from October 18 – October 21, 2026, at the McCormick Convention Center in Chicago Illinois. Attendees are invited to visit us in the East Hall, Booth LU-8821, where we will be highlighting advanced boot washing systems and tote and bin washing equipment designed to help food processors meet the highest standards of cleanliness and compliance.

Boot Washer & Hygiene Stations

Sanicore Systems has responded to the growing demand for enhanced hygiene solutions with a full line of cleaning and sanitation equipment. Our hygiene stations are designed to reduce risks by ensuring that control procedures are consistently followed and monitored.

Standard high-performance features include:

• Stainless steel construction for durability and easy cleaning
• Integrated hygienic station for streamlined employee sanitation
• Mechanical turnstile with sanitizer gate for controlled access

These solutions ensure employees can thoroughly clean and sanitize before entering production areas, safeguarding product quality and food safety.

Tote & Bin Washing Systems

Sanicore’s bin washing equipment is engineered for hygienic design, ease of cleaning, and resource efficiency. The innovative design minimizes the risk of trapped bacteria and can be equipped with an optional filtration system to pre-wash heavy debris or protein-based materials. This feature helps extend detergent and water life while maintaining consistent cleaning performance.

Key features include:

• Stainless steel, crevice-free construction
• Hygienic tubular jetting manifolds with cleaning flush points
• Electrically interlocked safety doors
• Automatic lifting arms for thorough bin inversion and cleaning
• Motor-driven, high-impact jetting arm with quick-release stainless jets
• Rotary jetting head for complete wheel cleaning
• Re-circulated detergent wash with multiple customizable programs

Together, these technologies ensure reliable and effective internal and external cleaning of bins and totes, helping processors maintain compliance while optimizing operational efficiency.

Visit Us at Pack Expo 2026

Sanicore Systems and Unitech Washing Systems look forward to welcoming attendees at Booth LU-8821 in the East Hall to see firsthand how our hygiene and sanitation solutions can strengthen food safety and streamline facility operations.

Regina, Saskatchewan, July 16, 2026 – Accelerated adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) could be the key to boosting the productivity, resilience and global competitiveness of the Canadian agriculture sector. That’s according to Farm Credit Canada’s (FCC) latest report, AI in Canadian Agriculture: Present Challenges and Future Prospects, which was developed with Deloitte Canada as part of a broader research collaboration on the topic.

The report highlights Canada’s strong foundation for AI leadership in agriculture, including world-class research capacity, a globally trusted food system and a growing ag-tech ecosystem. Yet, AI use across farms and food businesses remains limited and uneven, lagging other industries and leading countries.

As of the second quarter of 2025, only 1.8 per cent of Canadian agricultural businesses were using AI, compared to 12.2 per cent across other industries; and only 61 per cent of agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting enterprises have adopted advanced technologies, with the sector ranking 9th out of 12 industries. Globally, Canada ranks 25th when it comes to private investment in agricultural R&D and lags its G7 peers in AI adoption.

“Leading countries have advanced more rapidly through coordinated investment, strong public-private collaboration, and clear policy direction,” said Darren Baccus, executive vice-president, Agri-Food, Alliances and FCC Capital. “Without action, adoption will remain fragmented and Canada risks falling further behind global competitors.”

The report finds that AI adoption in Canadian agriculture and food is not constrained by technology availability, but more by systemic weaknesses. Fragmented digital infrastructure with limited rural connectivity, talent shortages, capital constraints, and historically unclear governance frameworks have been key barriers to AI adoption. Canada’s new national “AI for All” strategy outlines a plan to address many of these constraints, making this an opportune moment for the sector to accelerate AI adoption.

The report identifies four opportunities to address the situation:

• Strengthen data governance and interoperability to improve trust and scalability;
• Increase investment in infrastructure, talent development, and commercialization;
• Align public and private stakeholders through partnerships and shared standards; and
• Establish clear, consistent regulatory frameworks to reduce uncertainty and risk.

“AI in agriculture is no longer experimental; it is delivering measurable value across the sector,” said Tina Beaudry, partner, Technology and Transformation, Deloitte Canada. “From precision agriculture and animal health to genomics and robotics, organizations are already using AI to overcome longstanding operational challenges. As adoption accelerates, AI can help unlock new opportunities for innovation and productivity that were not previously possible – increasing Canada's global competitiveness in agriculture.”

“AI has the potential to deliver significant value across the Canadian agriculture and food system,” said Baccus. “At the farm level, it can improve decision-making, reduce input costs and enhance yields through more precise and predictive management. Across the value chain, AI can strengthen coordination, improve traceability, and enable a more responsive supply chain.”

FCC has announced a $2 billion investment to advance ag-tech innovations and has also brought together an investment coalition of over 20 organizations pledging to deploy $5 billion into agricultural and food innovation by 2030. Through support for networks such as AIVA, FCC is helping scale innovation across the value chain by accelerating commercialization and connecting promising technologies with real sector needs. FCC’s own Root AI and AgExpert show how trusted, accessible digital solutions can support better farm management and stronger decision-making.