	AllExperts > Food Engineering/Manufacturing
	Search

About J. Peter Clark
Expertise
How various processed foods are made; ways to improve manufacturing; how to make a new food product.

Experience
Employment history: Research Engineer, U.S.Agricultural Research Service, Associate Professor Chemical Engineering, Virginia Tech, Director of Research, Continental Baking Company, President, Epstein Process Engineering, Inc., Vice Presdent Technology, Fluor Daniel, Inc., Consultant to the Process Industries

Organizations: American Institute of Chemical Engineers (Fellow) Institute of Food Technologists, American Association of Cereal Chemists, American Association of Candy Technologists, American Society of Agricultural Engineers,

Publications: Several Encyclopedias (Kirk and Othmer, Chemical Technology; Food Science, Food Technology and Nutrition; Wiley Encyclopedia of Food Science and Technology; Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems); five books, two book chapters; numerous journals.

Education: BSChE Notre Dame PhD University of California, Berkeley

Awards: AIChE Food, Pharmaceutical and Bioengineering Division Award 1998

Clients: Major food processing and pharamaceutical companies.

You are here: Experts > Industry > Food Engineering > Food Engineering/Manufacturing > food product creation

Food Engineering/Manufacturing - food product creation

Expert: J. Peter Clark - 5/30/2009

Question
I am thinking of creating some nut butter spreads to test at our
local farmer's market. How do I make sure that the product passes
standards of sterilization required for sale to the public? Would I
be liable should someone get ill after eating the product? Thanks for
your time.

Answer
Susan,

When you make a food for sale you are responsible to see that it is safe. In that sense you can be liable for doing harm if you do. It is a legal question, and I am not a lawyer. Nut butters are not really sterilized, but they are usually made from roasted nuts, which are largely sterilized by heating. They have relatively low moisture, and so don't support growth of microbes. However, if the nuts are purchased roasted, they can become contaminated. You should be careful that your ingredients and equipment are clean, that your containers are clean, and you could consider heating your butters before filling if that does not hurt their flavor.

Add to this Answer Ask a Question