Bran is the outer fibrous layer of a cereal grain removed during milling to produce refined flour, and is traded as a by-product valued for its fibre, mineral and B-vitamin content in feed, food and ingredient applications.
In trade practice
Millers sell bran as a co-product alongside flour, and buyers for food applications require a specification covering moisture, crude fibre, ash and the absence of mycotoxins at levels permitted under applicable EU maximum-levels legislation. Feed-grade bran is subject to less stringent compositional requirements but still needs a feed materials declaration. A common sourcing error is accepting bran without a mycotoxin test report, particularly for wheat bran from high-risk harvest years.
In a specification
A bran purchase specification should state cereal source, maximum moisture, minimum crude fibre content and a mycotoxin compliance statement referencing the relevant EU maximum-levels regulation.