Miliband gets run of the mill

Environment secretary David Miliband (pictured centre) has officially opened a new rice mill at West Midlands-based Indian food specialist East End Foods.

Miliband last month opened the £6M mill, which is claimed to be the largest of its type in Europe. It is said to be one of the most advanced of its kind and will produce rice with a near zero percent broken content.

The new mill enables East End Foods to process Basmati, 'easy cook' long grain and American long grain rice.

During his visit, Miliband tasted the 'Indian healthy meal' developed by Tony Deep Wouhra (pictured left), chairman of East End Foods. It is part of the work Wouhra has undertaken to provide the Asian community with lower fat Indian food options.

The new rice mill is the latest in a string of investments in equipment at East End Foods. The company has also recently purchased a spice grinding mill and specialist spice roasting machine, both of which have increased production of spices.

The new rice mill is capable of producing around 36,500t of rice a year. It has fully automatic integrated de-stoners, graders, metal and dust extraction and colour sortex units and is situated in a new 6,039m2 extension.

East End Foods has introduced its own premium range of Basmati rice, under the Royal brand. This is traditionally matured for two years before it is milled.

Deep Wouhra said: "This rice mill is an indication of how seriously we take production here at East End Foods."

East End Foods was founded in 1967 by Deep Wouhra. The company has grown to become one of the biggest importers of Indian foods into the UK and now has a turnover in excess of £98M a year and employs more than 300 people.