The Centro de Elaboracion de Alimentos de Bolivia (CEAB), a Bolivian company with several production sites, is making significant strides towards sustainable growth through a focus on quality enhancement and process optimisation. With a bakery in Cochabamba producing 5,000 kg of flour weekly and employing 20 people, CEAB supplies its products – primarily sliced bread, rolls, and cookies – to 600 points of sale across the region.
However, challenges related to the shelf life of sliced bread and inconsistencies in product softness prompted CEAB to seek contact with PUM. This collaboration aimed to address critical quality concerns and support CEAB’s ambitions for long-term, sustainable development.
It was decided to start the project with an online assessment and remote guidance by PUM expert Laurens van Eijk. Given the complexity of baking processes, remote advice presented challenges. Many key variables, such as ingredient quality, equipment performance, and local environmental conditions are best assessed on-site. Nonetheless, productive online consultations took place.
Bread quality issues and
solutions
Quality Control & Process Manager Erwin Alvaro Quispe Ledezma of CEAB and PUM expert Laurens van Eijk discussed concerns including dry, hard hamburger buns and prematurely moulding bread. Initial assessments pointed to low baking temperatures and extended baking times as causes for dryness and poor texture. Additionally, long cooling periods in unprotected environments, were identified as a likely source of microbial contamination, reducing shelf life. Recommendations included adjusting baking temperatures to reduce crust thickness and preserve moisture, optimising cooling times, and improving packaging speed to retain softness.
Laurens van Eijk: “While these remote suggestions lay important groundwork, on-site evaluation remains essential in this case”. Therefore, a follow up is planned that allows a PUM expert to assess ingredient quality, production conditions, and hygiene standards in real-time, offering tailored recommendations for sustainable quality improvement.
Future
outlook
CEAB’s proactive approach in seeking expert advice reflects its dedication to continuous improvement and sustainable expansion. By investing in better hygiene practices and refining production methods, CEAB is not only enhancing product quality but also laying a solid foundation for long-term growth and customer satisfaction.
Interested in this project? Get in touch with
Hugo Valdivia Claure
Representative Bolivia, Cochabamba
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