QFD models of French and U.S. Wheat management practices

Abstract

This chapter compares the wheat product offered in open production in France and the U.S. using QFD models (introduced in Chap. 5). Wheat product design is modelled and described. The models show that use of GMPs/GAPs/GHPs could prevent poor protein quality characteristics and consistent with Codex guidelines; i.e. all types of non-HACCP food safety defects should be prevented through adoption of GMPs/GAPs/GHPs. The chapter begins by developing a set of QFD diagrams for the wheat farmer. A starting point is a thorough analysis of the miller’s needs. By careful examination of the miller’s needs it’s possible to see what the baker’s requirements are––as transmitted to the miller––as well as how these consolidated needs begin to build a list of specifications the wheat grower needs to fulfil. After constructing models of the required wheat characteristics, data collected for both French and U.S. wheat are compared against the desired characteristics.