Finished Product

Finished Product Quality Control

All feed is subjected to a rigorous, 3 step Quality Check:

In – line QC

Operators check feed throughout the extrusion, drying and coating process, ensuring it is within our in-manufacture specifications. Checks include:

• Pellet diameter and length
• Bulk Density
• Float/Sink
• Moisture off extruder/pellet press
• Moisture off dryer
• Moisture following coating
• Fines/Dust

At – line QC

As finished feed is being bagged, mill staff, supervised by operators, test again for:

• Bulk density
• Float/Sink
• Moisture
• Fines/Dust
• Water Stability (Prawn Feed)

Final Laboratory Quality Check 

Finished Feed that conforms to the above on-line QC is sampled and sent to our on-site laboratory for the following routine final checks and additional analyses:

• Bulk density
• Float/Sink
• Moisture
• Fines/Dust
• Pellet Durability
• Protein (NIR)
• Fat (NIR, acid hydrolysis)
• Ash (NIR)
• Water Stability (Prawn Feed)

The laboratory is also responsible for coordinating the routine analysis of finished product for wet chemistry that we do not complete on site (protein, moisture, ash) with our partner laboratory Weston Food Laboratories.  These analyses are conducted both for Quality Assurance and for calibrating the NIR so that it is always accurate.  The partner laboratory is also used for specialist analysis such as amino acids and fatty acid profiles, vitamins and minerals.