WHAT ARE PREMIXES
A premix is a mixture of Vitamins, Trace minerals, Medicaments, Feed supplements and Diluments. It is a value added solution for feeds with sustainable safety and quality. The Premix Industry is charged with the responsibility of manufacturing a high quality premix consistently, efficiently and economically.
Its main objective is to deliver the Micro ingredients in a manner desired by the consumer. Premixing has progressed from the simple hand mixing of several ingredients to mechanical mixing, continuous mixing, and now to computer controlled mixing. However, the basic concept of mixing ingredients together to result in a homogeneous blend has remained unchanged.
The principles of quality management can be applied to improve and sustain the quality of premix. Modern quality management has three interrelated elements i.e. Quality design, Quality control and Quality improvement.
A Quality Premix can be manufactured only through a stringent quality assurance programme and current good manufacturing practices {CGMP}.
Quality assurance is a proactive, continuous system for monitoring reproducibility and reliability of a product.
It encompasses all the activities undertaken to ensure predetermined standards of a quality premix. Good manufacturing practices cover all the areas of the production process like personnel, facilities, raw materials, quality assurance checks, inventory control, processing, mixing, packaging, and delivery.
Some Premix Plants are designed for specific functions, such as making Poultry Premix exclusively; others are designed for producing a variety of premixes for other segments as well. Regardless of the specific purpose of a premix plant, material flow follows a basic pattern.
Premix manufacturing processes comprises:
A. Raw materials
1. Selection & specifications
2. Purchase
3. Receipt & Storage
4. Sampling & Analysis
5. Processing
B. Formulation
C. Weighing
D. Mixing
E. Packaging
F. Labeling
G. Storage of Finished premix