Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically controlling the density of molded food products that are produced by a forming machine which compresses ground meat or other shapable, plastic food substances. In the disclosed method and apparatus, the density of the molded product is maintained substantially constant to produce molded products of substantially uniform weight by sensing the temperature of the food substance being molded and automatically adjusting the forming pressure utilized to compress the food substance into the molded product as an inverse function of temperature. Arrangements suitable for use with a type of food forming machine wherein the forming pressure is controlled by rotation of a stroke adjustment rod and for use with a type of food forming machine wherein the forming pressure is controlled by pneumatic or hydraulic pressure as disclosed.