Clarebout Potatoes nv
Heirweg 26
8950 Nieuwkerke - Heuvelland
Belgium
T. +32 57 44 69 01
F. +32 57 44 69 06

Frozen potato products

Production process

From the field to the shelf 

Production process

1. SUPPLY OF POTATOES

   Upon delivery from the warehouses or directly from the fields, the potatoes are subjected to a quality and size check.

2. REMOVAL OF STONES AND WASHING

   The potatoes are separated from the stones and then washed under running water.

3. PEELING

   The potatoes are peeled with steam. The cleaned skins are collected and used as cattle feed.

4. SORTING AND CUTTING

   The potatoes are sorted to size; potatoes with faults or with foreign objects inside are removed. Then, they are cut by means of water knives.

5. SORTING AND BLANCHING

   Once cut, the products are calibrated according to thickness and length. High-tech optical sorting machinery immediately removes poor products out of the production line. The blanching process is done in a hot water bath with steam injection and is intended to inactivate enzymes and to leach sugars.

6. DRYING

   The products are then dried in hot dry air. This process is important because it reduces fat absorption and improves the crispness of the products.

7. BAKING

   The fresh products are then pre-fried in vegetable oil.

8. COOLING AND DEEP-FREEZING

   The French fries are then cooled in sequencing cooling areas till their temperature is 0°C. Next, they enter a deep-freezing tunnel to be frozen.

9. PACKING

   After the deep-freezing, the products are weighted. This is done fully automatically. The products are then, again fully automatically, packed in bags and boxes. All packages are provided with the required codes to ensure a faultless traceability.

10. PUTTING ON PALLETS

    On conveyors the boxes are sent to the palletizer where they are automatically put on a pallet and then wrapped in extensible cling film.

11. LOADING AND UNLOADING

    At last, the pallets are brought to the logistics departments in Comines or Warneton from where the products are shipped to the customers.