Questions and answers about our cereal production

Yes. Developing and manufacturing customised recipes is one of our core strengths. If you already have a recipe, we will work with you to assess how it can be implemented on our production lines. Minimum order quantities apply to new recipes, depending on the product and manufacturing process. We determine these individually with each customer.

Absolutely. You do not need a finished recipe. Our in-house product development team can combine different raw materials, recipes and manufacturing processes to bring your idea to life. We typically start by creating laboratory samples. Once these have been assessed and refined together, we can produce trial batches on our production equipment under real manufacturing conditions.

Development often begins with samples from our existing range. We can then combine raw materials, adjust flavours or select new ingredients for a coating. Our product development team first prepares laboratory samples. Once the desired recipe has been established, we move on to production-line trials. Recipes are generally developed in close collaboration between KENTAUR and the customer.

In contract manufacturing, KENTAUR makes products on behalf of other companies. In private-label production, we manufacture cereals that are sold under the customer’s own brand. Our involvement can extend well beyond manufacturing: we can support customers from raw material selection and recipe development through to the fully packaged product.

No. You are welcome to contact KENTAUR with either an existing recipe or an initial product concept. Our in-house development team can combine raw materials and recipes to create the first laboratory samples. We then refine the product together and, at a later stage, can carry out production-line trials under real manufacturing conditions.

A production-line trial sample is made on actual production equipment rather than solely in the laboratory. This allows us to assess how a developed recipe performs under real manufacturing conditions. At KENTAUR, these trials are an important step between laboratory development and subsequent series production.

Yes. Existing products and recipes often provide the starting point for new developments. Working with the customer, we can combine different raw materials or adjust ingredients and flavours used in coatings. Characteristics such as sweetness and nutritional values can also be adapted to customer requirements within the available technical possibilities.

Yes. KENTAUR supplies customers in several European markets. Our main markets are Switzerland and neighbouring European countries.

No. KENTAUR is a business-to-business manufacturer and supplies commercial customers only, including retailers, retail outlets, brand owners and companies in the food industry.

We process oats, maize, rice, quinoa, amaranth, teff and buckwheat, among others, as well as spelt, durum wheat, common wheat, barley, emmer and rye. We can also assess raw materials we have not used before, provided they are compatible with our allergen management system and production conditions.

For gluten-free products, we process ingredients including oats, maize, rice, quinoa, amaranth, teff and buckwheat. Gluten-free oat products are a KENTAUR speciality, including honey-sweetened oat pops and puffed gluten-free oats with no additional sweetening.

Yes. Organic products are an important part of our production. KENTAUR holds an organic operator certificate, is recognised by Bio Suisse and is Demeter-certified.

No. Although breakfast cereals are one of our core specialities, we also manufacture various products as ingredients for the food industry. These include granules and crumbs that customers use in further processing to make their own products.

Crumbs add texture and crunch to food products. KENTAUR customers use them in bars, coatings and breadings, chocolate products, and as toppings for muffins, pralines, ice cream and cupcakes. Different grain ingredients can be used depending on the application.

Granules and crumbs can be made from oats, maize, rice, quinoa and buckwheat, among other ingredients. KENTAUR also produces these products from spelt, durum and common wheat, barley, emmer and rye.

Coating involves applying a liquid mixture to flakes or puffed cereals. This syrup can carry a variety of ingredients and can be used to adjust a product’s flavour and sweetness. Depending on the recipe, options include beet sugar, raw cane sugar, honey, date syrup, agave syrup, rice syrup and oat syrup.

Yes. Products with no added sugar are one of our specialities. Puffed cereals in particular can be manufactured without an additional coating and packed directly. Producing these products is technically more demanding than many conventional recipes. KENTAUR has extensive experience and numerous established recipes in this area.

Yes. All products manufactured by KENTAUR are vegetarian, and many recipes can be made entirely vegan. Vegan products requiring sweetening can use date syrup, agave syrup, rice syrup or oat syrup, for example.

Granules and crumbs are crushed grain products primarily intended for further processing in the food industry. They can be made from various grains. Our customers use crumbs in crispy breadings, chocolate products and as toppings for muffins, pralines, ice cream and cupcakes.

Yes. One of KENTAUR’s strengths is its ability to combine different production processes. For example, to make crispy rice-based pieces, we first puff the rice, then cut it and finally apply a coating. This approach also allows us to create products that require several carefully coordinated processing steps.

Yes. KENTAUR produces traditional cornflakes from maize as well as other flakes, for example from spelt or wheat. Our manufacturing capabilities also include puffed cereals, coated products, granules and crumbs.

Flake production involves steps such as cooking, rolling and toasting the grain. Puffing, by contrast, expands the grain through a thermal process, giving it its characteristic light, crunchy texture. KENTAUR has production equipment for both product groups and can apply further finishing processes to each.

Yes. At KENTAUR, puffed products are often manufactured without an additional coating and then packed directly. This makes it possible to offer products that do not require any extra sweetening through a coating.

Yes. In coated products, sweetness can be adjusted through the syrup recipe and the amount applied. Depending on the recipe, we can use beet sugar, raw cane sugar or honey, as well as plant-based alternatives such as date syrup, agave syrup, rice syrup and oat syrup.

For industrial processing, KENTAUR primarily fills products into flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs), or big bags, holding 200 to 400 kg. Depending on the product and bulk density, bags of 10 to 25 kg are also possible. Big bags are particularly suitable for industrial operations because they can be handled mechanically and integrated into automated downstream processes.

In principle, yes. Our development department assesses whether a particular packaging format can be used on our equipment. If necessary, we carry out packaging trials.

Yes. As a private-label manufacturer, KENTAUR offers services covering raw materials, product development, manufacturing and final packaging. Whether we use industrial containers or consumer packaging depends on the product, its intended use and the customer’s requirements.

Yes. We have equipment for packaging consumer products in bags and folding cartons. Depending on the product, pack sizes between 125 and 500 g are possible. This enables KENTAUR to manufacture and package private-label products ready for retail sale.

KENTAUR has its own in-house laboratory and a specialised laboratory team. This enables us to carry out many important quality assurance analyses directly at our production site. Our production and quality assurance processes are also based on the requirements of the international BRCGS and IFS standards.

KENTAUR applies strict allergen management procedures. We do not manufacture products containing nuts, lupins, celery, mustard, milk, hen’s eggs, fish, crustaceans or molluscs, among other allergens. When evaluating new raw materials, we also check their compatibility with our allergen management system.

Yes. Gluten-free cereals are one of KENTAUR’s core strengths. We process ingredients including gluten-free oats, maize, rice, quinoa, amaranth, teff and buckwheat. KENTAUR also holds BRCGS certification for gluten-free production.

Gluten-free oat products are a KENTAUR speciality. Options include gluten-free oat pops sweetened with honey and puffed gluten-free oats with no additional sweetening. We can explore and develop further variations together with customers as part of our product development process.

No. KENTAUR has a strict allergen management system and does not manufacture products containing nuts. We also exclude various other allergens, including lupins, celery, mustard, milk, hen’s eggs, fish, crustaceans and molluscs.

In principle, yes. We can assess and test new raw materials as part of our product development process. A key requirement is that they are compatible with KENTAUR’s allergen management system and production conditions.