Gauteng, South Africa — Awesome Snacks, one of South Africa’s leading snack manufacturers, has relied on OHAUS moisture balances since opening its doors in 2003 to ensure consistent quality across its extensive product range.

The company produces a variety of extruded maize snacks, including Puffs, Pellets, Naks, Rings, and Pops, under its own Awesome Snacks brand and for other well-known names in the retail and FMCG sector. Today, Awesome Snacks manufactures approximately 600 tons of snacks each month, maintaining a reputation for quality, innovation, and exceptional value.





Since its inception, Awesome Snacks has prioritized food safety and quality, holding three internationally recognized food safety accreditations. The company also continues to innovate with differentiated product offerings such as “No Added MSG,” “Tartrazine Free,” and “Baked” options, catering to evolving consumer preferences.

 

OHAUS Moisture Balances — A Long-Term Partnership

From the very beginning, Awesome Snacks selected OHAUS as its preferred brand for moisture testing. Today, the facility operates a fleet of 12 OHAUS instruments, including models MB120, MB90, MB25, MB45, and the new MB32 with Carbon Drying Technology.

Remarkably, even the now-obsolete MB45 models continue to function reliably thanks to consistent service and maintenance. The introduction of the latest Carbon Drying models has enabled Awesome Snacks to increase testing speed and efficiency, supporting the demands of high-volume production.

 

Moisture Testing: The Key to Quality

Moisture balance testing is essential throughout every stage of production:
•    Raw materials (corn grits) are tested to ensure compliance with supplier standards, which is critical for achieving the correct puff and shape.
•    In-line testing takes place during baking, frying, and flavouring, where moisture consistency directly impacts texture, taste, and shelf life.
•    Finished product testing ensures that every packet leaving the facility meets strict quality benchmarks.






Testing is conducted 24/7 across 12 instruments, with OHAUS balances running continuously to safeguard product consistency and uphold food safety standards. The MB120 is also central to the research and development program, supporting the creation of new products and drying methods.

 

A Commitment to Reliability

Francois Labuschagne, CEO of Awesome Snacks, stated:
“Moisture is the most important test we conduct, and it is key to maintaining the quality of our products. To maximize reliability, we appointed a dedicated staff member to service the instruments daily. This disciplined approach to maintenance allows us to keep downtime to an absolute minimum while ensuring product consistency.”








OHAUS Moisture Anlysers
OHAUS Moisture Analyser MB120
OHAUS Moisture Analyser MB92
OHAUS Moisture Analyser MB62
OHAUS Moisture Analyser MB32
OHAUS Moisture Analyser MB25
OHAUS Moisture Analyser MB23