Baking & Snack - June 2023 - 12

California proposes move
to zero NOx emissions
Commercial bakeries around Los Angeles will be required to replace
their natural gas-fired ovens that are more than 22 years
old with electric ovens if a proposed rule by the South Coast Air
Quality Management District (SCAQMD) Governing Board is
passed as now written.
SCAQMD, which represents the Los Angeles area, recently adopted
its 2022 Air Quality Management Plan. The plan includes
a proposed rule to move toward zero emissions from natural
gas combustion, which will have a dramatic impact on the area's
wholesale baking industry.
Rather than pursuing a switch to low nitrogen oxide (NOx)
burners in commercial baking ovens to reduce emissions by 50%,
SCAQMD's move toward zero NOx emissions would require bakeries
in the district to switch their ovens that are older than 22
years to electric or other zero NOx technology by 2027.
The American Bakers Association (ABA) has been following the
development of this plan and working to educate SCAQMD on the
challenges this will bring to the industry.
" While ABA is not opposed to this proposal, we still do not understand
the full breadth of its scope, " said Rasma Zvaners, vice
president of regulatory and technical services for ABA. " Further,
the discussed implementation timeframe seems aggressive. We
believe the directive may not fully account for the infrastructure
needs both at the public utility and the bakery. "
Ms. Zvaners pointed out two hurdles to SCAQMD's plan and
timeline. While oven technology continues to evolve, requiring all
new ovens after 2027 to be net zero NOx is not feasible. SCAQMD
identified one oven that met its standard.
However, " one size does not fit all " in the wholesale baking sector.
In addition to concerns about electric oven technology, ABA
pointed out that California's utility grid does not have the infrastructure
in place to support the switch. Ms. Zvaners noted the
electric grid availability, reliability and readiness, including availability
of backup power during power curtailments need to be in
place to support the regulator's goals.
The deadline for public comments ended in April, and in its
comments to SCAQMD, ABA drew attention to its concerns about
the availability of electric oven technology to meet industry needs,
the grid's infrastructure strength as well as the ambiguity of the
rule's language.
In its comments, ABA also recommended a stepwise transition
from natural gas to hybrid before finally transitioning to full electric
ovens when technology has caught up to industry demand.
While this rule will only impact baking companies operating in
the South Coast region of California, Ms. Zvaners noted that regulatory
rules regarding emissions often influence the wider state of
California as well as other states.
She said baking companies in the area can help ABA in educating
the SCAQMD on the impact this rule would have.
12 Baking & Snack June 2023 / www.bakingbusiness.com
Puratos sets deadline to
remove titanium dioxide
Puratos has committed to remove titanium dioxide (TiO2
) from all
its products by 2025.
Titanium dioxide is a naturally occurring mineral and has been
used in food for decades. It typically serves as a colorant to enhance
the opacity and brighten the color of white foods like dairy
products, icings, fillings and chocolate.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) no longer allows
TiO2 as a food additive. Although no similar policy exists in the
United States, Puratos decided to proactively remove titanium dioxide
from all its products by 2025.
" For us, it was an easy decision, " said Jessica Blondeel, product
director for patisserie at Puratos. " Our purpose is to move the
planet forward by creating innovative food solutions for the health
and well-being of people everywhere. Cleaning up our labels is a
natural step toward achieving this goal. "
To reach its 2025 deadline, Puratos has announced a phased approach.
The company has already removed titanium dioxide from
all compound coatings, icings and glazes. Cream fillings are on
track to be TiO2-free by 2025 but samples are available for customers
looking to switch sooner.
The removal of TiO2
is another step in the company's journey to
bring cleaner label solutions to the market.
Grupo Bimbo purchases
electric truck fleet
Grupo Bimbo SAB de CV, Mexico City, purchased an electric
truck fleet from Swedish automotive manufacturer Scania AB. It is
Scania's first electric truck fleet in Latin America.
According to Scania, the fleet consists of seven 2024-model 25P
B4x2 rigid electric trucks from Scania México. These 100% electric
vehicles, which can load up to 11.5 tonnes, will be driven on
urban routes and equipped with the Advanced Driver Assistance
System (ADAS) 2.0. Scania maintenance contracts also will cover
each truck to ensure its " maximum availability. "
Scania México said the deal is part of its commitment to launching
a new electric truck each year. The company is aiming for electric
trucks to be 10% of its vehicle offering by 2025 and 100% by
2050. The fleet also will allow Grupo Bimbo to continue reducing
its own carbon emissions, with 80% of the electricity it consumes
now coming from renewable sources.
Grupo Bimbo ordered the electric vehicle fleet after completing
a successful trial period of a 25P B4x2 electric truck, which began
in 2022, as part of both companies' shared commitment to move
toward sustainable transport, according to Scania.
- Zach Sosland, Milling & Baking News
http://www.bakingbusiness.com
Baking & Snack - June 2023

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