In this paper, we review the manufacture and use of particulate products, which are made by the "fast-moving consumer goods" (FMCG) industry and used by consumers around the world. Rather than focussing upon any particular product, generic issues are discussed, which have broad relevance across the FMCG sector. Most particulate products intended for consumer use are manufactured from a formulation, i.e., recipe of raw materials. This formulation on processing yields a particle size distribution of granules, each having a microstructure on the scale of 1-1000 mum. It is this microstructure and size distribution which determine the stability of the product in the supply chain and, finally, the in-use performance of the product by the consumer. Attention is focussed upon the production of particulate products by spray drying and by binder granulation since these two processes are capable of producing multicomponent designer granules aimed at meeting particular consumer needs. It is shown that the product microstructure resulting from such processing depends upon a complex, dynamic interaction between the ingredients in the formulation and the processing conditions. Furthermore, it is this microstructure which is generally destroyed during use by the consumer. This "process" of product use is again a complex, dynamic interaction between the application conditions and the formulated microstructure. It is argued that our understanding of the control of microstructure in particulate products is far from complete. Interdisciplinary research, ranging from measurement science, phase equilibrium, microstructure kinetics to process engineering, is needed to advance our knowledge in this very demanding area. It is clear that if such knowledge of formulation and processing can lead to new and improved products, then the potential commercial returns are very high indeed.