Page 19 - Vol.36-No.8 issue

CROP PROTECTION

fuel’ boom in which maize grain is now
used on an increasingly large scale for World Food Day
fermentation into bioethanol could see
this proportion [in the United States] and FAO at
come down considerably, with serious
implications for global supplies of maize 75 year
for livestock rations. Rapid rise in poul-
try consumption in the Asia Pacific is
main factor responsible for increasing
amounts of maize being diverted from
direct human consumption to animal
feed.
Maize is increasingly used as
Industrial processing livestock feed with measured Each year, over 150 countries
amounts of the grain widely fed to
of maize sheep (Picture courtesy Dr Terry around the world hold events to
mark World Food Day, making it
Industrial processing of maize can Mabbett) one of the most celebrated interna-
be conveniently broken down into wet tional days.
milling and dry milling. Maize process- High fructose corn syrup is used in a But this year’s World Food Day is
ing essentially separates the grain into broad range of food manufacturing in- no ordinary day.
germ, hull and endosperm components. dustries including confectionery baking,
These fractions are further processed non-alcoholic sweet beverages, condi- It comes as the world continues
into a wide range of maize products used ments (ketchup and pickles) and syrups. to fight the COVID-19 pandemic -
as base ingredients for food and non- Biggest single use for maize dextrose is a global scourge that has exposed
food functions. the fragility of our food systems;
in baking where it is utilised as nutrient threatens to push millions more
for yeast fermentation, as a sweetener into hunger; has made many of us
and for pastry crust browning. Other rekindle our appreciation for food
significant users of dextrose are confec- security: what some take for grant-
tionery manufacturers, canning and fro- ed and many go without; but has
zen food industries and the beverage in- also provided an opportunity to
dustry, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. transform an agri-food system that
Corn oil is used for production of salad/ is out of balance.
cooking oils and margarine.
It also comes as the Food and
Dry milling Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations (FAO) turns 75. FAO
Chief maize products derived from dry was founded on 16 October 1945
milling are maize meal, flour and maize – a few days before the United Na-
grits, along with maize oil and various tions itself - to further agricultural
by-products used for animal feed. The knowledge and nutritional wellbe-
endosperm fractions generated during ing.
‘Corn on the cob’ left to dry on the dry milling are characterized and classi-
With the theme “Grow, nourish,
plants and in this case for seed grain fied by the dimensions and size distribu- sustain. Together. Our actions are
purposes (Picture courtesy Omex) tions of particles thus produced. These our future”, World Food Day 2020
determine composition and therefore will call for more resilient and ro-
potential use. Characterizations and bust agri-food systems, and for
Wet milling classifications are: global solidarity - both vital for our
Main maize food products sourced Grit fractions (1.2-0.6 mm) used for recovery from this crisis, and for
from the wet milling industry are corn many different types of food both tra- building back better.
starch, corn syrup, high fructose syr- ditional and commercial including im- The Day will also provide an
up, dextrose and corn oil, and various itation rice and corn flakes worldwide. opportunity to thank Food Heroes
by-products used for livestock feed. Brewer’s grits are used in beer produc- – farmers and workers throughout
Corn starch is an increasingly important tion. the food supply chain - who, no
product used mainly in the thickening Maize meal (0.6-0.2 mm) is commonly matter the circumstances, continue
and stabilization of other ingredients. used in meal mixes, maize bread, maize to provide food to their communi-
Many different forms and types of corn muffins and some extruded maize snack ties and beyond.
starch can be produced, each best suit- products. What can you do?
ed for a particular function in the food Maize flour (< 0.2 mm) is a widely used Help us give this Day the visibil-
manufacturing industry. For instance, and sought after ingredient for pancake ity it deserves, by: following the
corn starch products are required in mixes, baby foods, cookies, biscuits, ice global celebrations on 16 October;
the manufacture of baking powder, pre- cream cones, ready-to-eat cereals, bat- requesting one-on-one interviews
pared mixes, candies, baking goods and ter breading mixes, and binders for loaf- with FAO experts before or on the
puddings. Highest use of corn syrup is in type sandwich meats. Maize flour can be Day; making the most of our com-
the confectionery industry, followed by pre-gelatinized and used in compound- munications resources. Details be-
baking and dairy product manufacture. ing high nutrient mixes like corn-soy- low:
milk and corn-soy-blend. Circle 22 on enquiry card
Circle 21 on enquiry card
Vol. 36 No. 8 17