General Parameters
Acid Value
The acid value gives an idea about the age of the oil because the acid content, or the amount of fattyn acids, increases in oil with time due to hydrolysis with moisture. As per Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Regulations, acid value of mustard oil should not be more than 6.0. So, a lower acid value is beneficial for consumers.
Argemone Oil
Argemone oil is extracted from argemone seeds. It is adulterated with mustard oil to increase the quantity thereof. Consumption of this oil can lead to health disorders. In fact, consumption of mustard oil adulterated with argemone oil even for a short duration leads to a clinical condition referred to as epidemic dropsy. As per FSS Regulations, argemone oil in edible vegetable oils shall be negative.
Mineral Oil
Mineral oil is a colourless and odourless oil that is made from petroleum—as a by-product of the distillation of petroleum. It is adulterated to increase the quantity of the oil it is added to. As per FSS Regulations, mustard oil shall be free from mineral oil.
Colouring Substances
No Added Colouring Substances Are Allowed
It was reported in various sections of the media that mustard oil adulteration was being done with cheaper vegetable oils and colouring substances were added to match colour. Hence we carried out testing
Hexane
Oil shall be supplied for human consumption only after refining. As per FSS Regulations, oil so refined shall not contain hexane more than 5 ppm (parts per million). In kachchi ghani or cold-pressed process,no solvent is required. As such, mustard oil (kachchi ghani) should be free from the solvent hexane.
Vegetable oils are also obtained by the method of solvent extraction. Hexane is a permitted solvent.
Marking
The following information shall be clearly and indelibly marked on the label of each container/ packet as per Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations and Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules:
- Name of the product
- Trade name, if any
- Name and address of manufacturer
- Batch or code number
- Net quantity in millilitre/litre
- Ingredients in descending order
- Month and year of manufacture
- The words ‘Best before’ (month and year to be indicated)
- Nutritional information
- FSSAI license number
- Green dot for ‘vegetarian’ status
Customer-Care Details
As per Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, every package shall bear the name, address, telephone number, and email address, if available, of the person who can be – or the office that can be – contacted in case of consumer complaints.