Breakfast Cereal Foods  

1.0 Product and its Applications

Cereal processing is one of the oldest and most important food processing technologies and forms a part of the food production chain. Today, the cereal processing industry is as diverse as its range of products. Practically every meal contains cereal in one form or the other.

Extrusion cooking is a novel method for manufacturing food products from snacks and breakfast cereals to baby foods. However, as a complex multivariate process it requires careful control. Extruded foods are not just for kid snacks anymore. Today's extruders have opened the door to a global array of new products . The food makers around the world are discovering new ways of shaping, forming, squeezing and puffing foods to create healthful substance. The extruders are producing crispy flat bread, baby food, pet food, high fibre products, puffed snacks, pellet snacks, ready-to-eat breakfast cereals in puffed and flaked forms, meat analogues, pasta, cheese snacks and instant drinks and soups. Extruded breakfast cereal products such as corn flakes, rice flakes, wheat flakes and other formulated breakfast cereal product are quite popular in India . Corn, rice, wheat are the major raw materials required for the production of extruded breakfast cereals. These ready – to - eat breakfast products are widely consumed in urban areas particularly by office going persons and school children.

An extruder works by taking a blend of raw ingredients in one end and subjecting it to high heat and pressure in a cylinder. As the mix passes through the extruder cooker, it is shaped and fully or partially cooked. It takes its final shape as it is forced through a die at the exit end.

2.0 Market Potential

As these extruded foods are tasty and nutritious, the consumption is increasing day by day. There is also a good export potential for these products. The product is a household breakfast item which is in great demand in retail outlets though provision stores, bulk outlets to hotels, school- or office / industrial canteens, exports to under developed countries. A large number of new manufacturing units have been established recently catering to the need of consumers.

3.0 Basis and Presumption

a) The unit will work for 300 days per annum on single shift basis.

b) The unit can achieve its full capacity utilization during the 3rd year of operation.

c) Wages for skilled workers are taken as per prevailing rates in this type of industry.

d) Interest rate for total capital investment is calculated @ 12% per annum.

e) The entrepreneur is expected to raise 20-25% of the capital as margin money.

f) The unit would construct its own building.

g) Costs of machinery are based on average prices of machinery manufacturers.

Implementation schedule

Project implementation will take a period of 12 months. Break-up of the activities and relative time for each activity is shown below:

5.0 Technical Aspects
5.1 Location

The plant can be located at any suitable place keeping in view the marketing convenience, availability of power, water and skilled manpower.

5.2 Salient Features of Process / Technology

Breakfast cereals are produced by extrusion cooking method. For this purpose single screw and twin screw extruders are available. Twin screw extrusion cooking method is used for producing high quality products with better texture and precise process control. Ingredients are mixed and conveyed to a twin screw cooker extruder which gelatinizes the starch in cereal. The cooking temperature varies from 120º to 180º C for 10-15 minutes. Flavour, colour and vitamins are added at this stage. The cooked cereal is passed into a forming extruder wherein the mass is cooled and formed into pallets. The pallets are conditioned before flaking/ shredding. The flakes are then roasted and required coating of sugar is applied along with vitamins and minerals. This product is packed and dispatched.

Product Quality Specifications: Cornflakes are prepared from dehulled, degermed and cooked corn by flaking, partially drying and roasting in the form of crisp flakes of reasonably uniform size and golden brown in colour. It should be free from dirt, insects, larvae and impurities, any other extraneous matter.  

6.0 Pollution Control

There is no major pollution problem associated with this industry except for disposal of waste which should be managed appropriately. The entrepreneurs are advised to take "No Objection Certificate" from the State Pollution Control Board.

7.0 Energy Conservation

Proper care should be taken while utilising the fuel for. There should be no leakage.

8.0 Production Capacity

9.0 Financial Aspects

9.1 Fixed Capital

9.1.1 Land & Building Amount (Rs. lakh)

9.1.2 Machinery and Equipment Amount (Rs. lakh)

9.1.3 Pre-operative Expenses Amount (Rs. lakh)

9.1.4 Total Fixed Capital Amount (Rs. lakh)

9.2 Recurring expenses per annum

9.2.1 Personnel Amount (Rs. lakh)

9.2.2 Raw Material including packaging materials Amount (Rs. lakh)

9.2.3 Utilities Amount (Rs. lakh)

9.2.4 Other Contingent Expenses Amount (Rs. lakh)

9.2.5 Total Recurring Expenditure Amount (Rs. lakh)

9.3 Working Capital Amount (Rs. lakh)

9.4 Total Capital Investment Amount (Rs. lakh)

10.0 Financial Analysis

10.1 Cost of Production (per annum) Amount (Rs. lakh)

10.2 Sale Proceeds (Turnover) per year Amount (Rs. lakh)

10.4 Net Profit Ratio

10.5 Rate of Return on Investment

10.6 Annual Fixed Cost Amount (Rs. lakh)

10.7 Break even Point

Contact for more information:

Information Manager
TIMEIS Project
E-mail: timeis@ficci.com