Technical Visit Report: Marriages Flour Mill, Chelmsford

Steve Timms FIFST reports on the IFST Technical Visit to Marriages Flour Mill, Chelmsford:

"On Tuesday 10 September 2024 a group of IFST delegates was treated to a privileged insight into the operations of Marriage’s Flour Mill in Chelmsford. Marriages is celebrating their 200 year anniversary in 2024 and our visit started with a short presentation by Simon Fortis, Technical Manager, on the history of the company and the site. Then followed a walking tour of the process from Grain Intake through the various stages of the milling process. We were also shown the original Burr stones in use producing stoneground flour (these stones are over 150 years old). Simon outlined the detailed testing that is carried out at each stage in accordance with a comprehensive sampling plan aligned with the relevant standards and legislation. We were also shown the contents of various sieve ‘out-turns’ in order to provide real-life examples of non-wheat extraneous material that is collected from the fields / grain stores and arrives on site (very illuminating!). Simon’s colleague Dr Cathy Bunn expertly explained the purpose of each piece of on site lab equipment and detailed the many attributes that are measured on site. All in all a fascinating, informative and insightful Technical Visit – what a great benefit to being a Member of IFST."