Apparatus for filling food containers and corresponding method

A production system for making a liquid or semi-liquid food product, comprising:

• a filling apparatus for filling a food container with a base product, comprising:
• a filling device for filling the food container with the base product, the food container comprising a neck and a cap to cover the neck, wherein the filling device is configured to remove the cap and to fill the food container with the base product through the neck,
• a user interface, configured to start the filling device and an electronic generating unit configured to generate a unique identification code for the food container, and
• a support for supporting the food container;
• a communication module, connected to an apparatus control unit of the filling apparatus;
• the food container adapted to be filled by the filling apparatus and to include the unique identification code;
• a remote server, configured to capture data transmitted by the communication module in connection with the filling of the food container and connectable to a database for storing the data;
• a machine for making the liquid or semi-liquid food product from the base product in the food container, comprising:
• a processing container, including a stirrer and a thermal system thermally connected with the processing container;
• a dialogue module connected to the remote server to exchange data therewith;
• a machine control unit connected to the dialogue module, and
• a user interface, connected to the machine control unit and configured to allow entering the unique identification code, the machine control unit being configured to retrieve from the database information paired with the unique identification code entered,
• wherein the machine control unit is configured to query the database to retrieve information representing a date the food container was filled using the filling apparatus and to compare that information with a current date of use to determine a time that has elapsed since filling and wherein the machine control unit is configured to issue an alarm signal and/or disable at least one operating feature of the machine when the determined time is greater than a predetermined use-by date, corresponding to a critical state of preservation.