Advantages of Fortifying Wheat Flour
(1) Wheat flour fortification is a safe and effective means of improving public health.
(2) Fortified wheat flour is an excellent vehicle for adding nutrients to the diet as wheat flour is commonly consumed by everyone.
(3) Cost-effective method to prevent nutritional deficiencies.
(4) During the milling of wheat, nutrient losses take place. Fortification helps in adding back these nutrients.
(5) When added to wheat flour, Iron, Folic acid, and Vitamin B12 are essential for fighting anemia and blood formation.
Method
The first step is designing the micronutrient premix. A premix contains a uniform mixture of the desired nutrients in the required amounts, which will help in the uniform distribution of the fortificants in the flour. The designed micronutrient premix is accurately metered through a volumetric feeder into the flour. These feeders consist of a rotating feed screw that is driven by a motor, the speed of which can be adjusted to modify the rate of addition of the premix. These feeders either make use of gravity or a pneumatic system to dispense the premix into the flour.
In order to achieve uniform distribution of the fortificants in the flour, the feeders must be placed at a centralized location with respect to the conveyor carrying the flour. A centrally located feeder will ensure that there will be sufficient time provided for the fortificants to mix before the flour is collected and sent for packaging and storage. The plant should have the right mixers, feeders, and quality control equipment so as to ensure that the fortified flour has effective levels of the desired fortificants present in the finished product.
The process flowchart
