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Oil & Fat

Oils and fats are essential components of human nutrition, providing energy, essential fatty acids, and fat-soluble vitamins. The quality and safety of edible oils and fats are crucial to prevent adulteration, ensure nutritional value, and maintain consumer health. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has set stringent guidelines for the analysis of oils and fats to ensure compliance with food safety regulations. These parameters help assess purity, quality, and contamination levels, ensuring the product is safe for consumption.

Parameters for Analysis as per FSSAI

These parameters ensure that edible oils and fats meet the required safety and quality standards set by FSSAI. Regular testing and compliance with these guidelines help in maintaining product integrity, preventing adulteration, and ensuring consumer health.

Physicochemical Parameters

  • Saponification Value (indicates the presence of short-chain fatty acids)
  • Peroxide Value (measures oxidation/rancidity)
  • Iodine Value (degree of unsaturation)
  • Unsaponifiable Matter (%)
  • Free Fatty Acid (FFA) (%)
  • Moisture Content (%)
  • Refractive Index
  • Specific Gravity
  • Acid Value

Nutritional Composition

  • Monounsaturated Fatty Acids (MUFA)
  • Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids
  • Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA)
  • Trans Fatty Acids (should be <2%)
  • Saturated Fatty Acids (SFA)
  • Vitamin Content (A, D, E)
  • Total Fat Content

Adulteration Tests

  • Tests for Synthetic Colors and Flavors
  • Detection of Castor Oil in Vanaspati
  • Tests for Vanaspati in Ghee/Butter
  • Presence of Mineral Oil
  • Tests for Added Starch or Sugar
  • Detection of Argemone Oil

Contaminants & Residue Analysis

  • Heavy Metals (Lead, Arsenic, Cadmium, Mercury)
  • Presence of Solvent Residues (if applicable)
  • Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs))
  • Aflatoxins (Aflatoxin B1)
  • Pesticide Residues

Sensory and Organoleptic Evaluation

  • Appearance & Clarity
  • Texture & Consistency
  • Odor & Flavor
  • Color

Oxidative Stability & Shelf Life Indicators

  • Rancidity Test (Thiobarbituric Acid Value)
  • TOTOX Value (Total Oxidation Value)
  • Oxidative Stability Index (OSI)