The process of making biscuits in a factory involves several stages, from mixing the ingredients to packaging the final product. Here’s a general overview of the biscuit-making process in a factory:
- Ingredient Storage and Handling:
- Raw materials like flour, sugar, fats, and other ingredients are stored in silos or appropriate containers.
- Ingredients are weighed and measured according to the recipe.
- Mixing:
- Ingredients are mixed in large industrial mixers to form a uniform dough.
- The mixing process is crucial as it affects the texture and quality of the biscuits.
- Forming:
- The dough is then fed into a forming machine which shapes the biscuits.
- There are different methods of forming, such as rotary molding, wire cutting, or sheeting and cutting.
- Baking:
- The shaped dough pieces are transferred to a baking oven.
- The baking process is carefully controlled with specific temperatures and times to ensure the biscuits are baked evenly and achieve the desired color and texture.
- Cooling:
- After baking, biscuits are cooled on a conveyor belt to room temperature.
- Cooling is important to prevent breakage and to prepare the biscuits for packaging.
- Quality Control:
- Biscuits are inspected for quality, including size, shape, color, and texture.
- Any defective biscuits are removed from the production line.
- Packaging:
- The biscuits are packaged in wrappers, boxes, or tins.
- Packaging machines are used to wrap the biscuits and seal the packages to maintain freshness.
- Labeling and Coding:
- Packages are labeled with product information, including ingredients, nutritional information, and expiration dates.
- Coding machines print batch numbers and expiration dates on the packages.
- Storage and Distribution:
- Packaged biscuits are stored in a warehouse before being distributed to retailers.
- The storage conditions are controlled to maintain the quality of the biscuits.
- Dispatch:
- The final step is the dispatch of the biscuits to various distribution channels, such as supermarkets, wholesalers, and other retail outlets.
Throughout the process, hygiene and food safety standards are strictly followed to ensure the biscuits are safe for consumption. The entire process is often automated and controlled by computerized systems to maintain consistency and efficiency.
