The Tortilla Industry Association (TIA) will hold its Technical Conference on September 24-25 at the Sheraton Fairplex Pomona Hotel in Los Angeles, CA. Interested parties must register on the association’s website for the two-day event.
“Anyone involved in tortilla production and really wants to stay ahead should come to this conference,” said Jim Kabbani, CEO of TIA.
In an interview with Abasto, Kabbani offered details about the Technical Conference, which will provide, in addition to technological advances, valuable information about changes demanded by the market in areas such as different types of formulations, such as gluten-free tortillas, low-carb, high-protein, etc.
“Another thing that is always changing is regulations. We will have experts giving us details on the new FISA regulations that go into effect in December. We have information on the sponsored legislation on fortifying masa flour with folic acid. So anyone in management or R&D should attend the event,” Kabbani reiterated.
The TIA Technical Conference is open to anyone interested in the industry. The event website provides details of registration, accommodation, and transportation costs.
Related Article: Challenges to Increase the Supply of Tortillas Fortified with Folic Acid
A complete educational agenda will be offered on the first day of this year’s conference, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Industry experts, such as Dr. Sergio Román Serna from Tecnológico de Monterrey, will present lectures on how to make more nutritious tortillas.
Dilip Nakhasi, from the United Soybean Board, will lecture on managing fry oil and avoiding free radicals like acrylamides.
Dr. Mical Honigfort and Dr. Claudine Kavanaugh from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will discuss the folic acid fortification of masa flour at the TIA Technical Conference educational sessions.
Visit the conference website for a complete list of educational sessions on September 24.
“In the late afternoon, following the educational sessions, we will offer attendees a cocktail reception and table exhibits,” said Kabbani.
Field Trip to Manufacturing Companies
The second day of the TIA Technical Conference will feature a field visit to Casa Herrera and Arevalo Foods factories.
“Casa Herrera is one of the leading manufacturers of tortilla production machinery. Arevalo Foods is one of the leading tortilla producers. They make many tortillas for the U.S. and export, both private label and private label, and they have a very modern facility with state-of-the-art technology,” Kabbani said.
During the first visit to Casa Herrera, attendees can observe the various types of machines used in tortilla production, witnessing their manufacturing process and utilization.
At Arevalo Foods, attendees will learn about best practices in tortilla production, how the plant is laid out, the direction of the process flow, how materials move through the factory, the different machines used, and how they are adjusted to obtain the best results.
Lunch will be provided at the company’s facilities at the end of the visit to Arevalo Foods.
TIA holds three events yearly: the annual convention in May, the Technical Conference in September, and the European Conference in October.
“In addition to the three big events, two or three times a year, we also offer the three-day hands-on production classes, where people come and sit in the classroom for half the day to learn the theory about the ingredients and how they work together. In the afternoon, they move on to hands-on practice, mixing their dough, feeding the dough balls to the tortilla machine, baking them, and seeing how they come out the other side,” Kabbani explained.