Request for Flour quality
Associated Documents:
Iron Fortification of Wheat Flour
Wheat Standards
Flour Mills and Wheat Quality
Flour Description
Wheat Grading Procedures
Flour Fortification in the Middle East
Question:
Bottom line the local flour mill is having problems with poor quality wheat. It appears that dirt is being mixed either inevitably due to too many middlemen handling the product or deliberately to increase volume of the product. I do not believe the wheat is given a test weight or protein analysis. Request a simple brochure that spells out grading, testing and handling standards. We can share with the Government when appropriate. This fall IRMA is sponsoring 300 producers with certified seed with the goal of increase production. Since wheat is Diyala' largest crop by donum (acreage) this marketing issue also merits review.
Response:
Dirt and sand that if added should be able to be screened out. Low test weight and low protein are genetic and yearly climate induced factors that affect wheat quality. Low test weight is due to drought and or lot of rain after the wheat is ripe. I doubt that rain at harvest is a problem. Mixing of sand into the wheat could be possible but should be easy to detect.
The U.S. standards for wheat and the commercial item description of flour are attached. Standards for other grain crops can be found at:
http://www.gipsa.usda.gov/GIPSA/webapp?area=home&subject=grpi&topic=sq-ous
Information on inspection equipment can be found here:
http://www.gipsa.usda.gov/GIPSA/webapp?area=home&subject=grpi&topic=sq-ae
Laws and regulations can be found here:
http://www.gipsa.usda.gov/GIPSA/webapp?area=home&subject=lr&topic=landing
Information on methods for assessing grain quality is here:
http://www.gipsa.usda.gov/GIPSA/webapp?area=home&subject=grpi&topic=sq-md
I was unable to find one brochure that contained all of the information that you requested.
I was however able to find a few short PDF files (attached) that have some good information about grading wheat.
I have a few links for you as well about wheat and flour standards as well as a link that gives information on inspection equipment.
If this is not what you are looking for let me know and I will find what it is that you want.
I may should have waited until more facts had been developed. Right now the DG of Trade is not participating to any extent. Also the PRT break division of work does not view this issue as an agricultural problem, but a social services problem and only if the flour is delivered is the measurement of success, not the quality of the product. Hopefully that will change with silo improvement project. I found today I can use the city mayor to pass the information on to the flour mill manager.