For Physicochemical Parameter
Active Matter
Active matter means cleansing agents/compounds and is the key ingredient of utensil bars. The minimum requirement of these in the bar is 8.0 per cent.
Cleaning Efficiency (Per 5 Gram)
This was to test the efficiency of the bar to clean the utensil with a fixed amount of utensil bar. A fixed quantity of bar (five grams) was taken for each brand to check the cleaning efficiency. The test evaluated the efficiency of the product in removing grease and oil.
Surface Damage
Surface Damage (scratches) (limit: a maximum of two scratches): Stainless steel plates were soiled by applying two grams of oil and then cleaned using the bars being tested. Scratches on plates were examined by visual inspection. As per the national standard, a maximum of two scratches are acceptable.
Mushiness
Mushiness is the property of a bar to absorb water and also get dissolved in it. The amount of mushy part was measured and reported.
Foam/Lather (requirement: minimum 70 ml)
Foam/Lather generated is the amount of foam generated after dissolving a fixed quantity of powered utensil bar in a specified quantity of water. This test indicates the foaming efficiency of the product.
Matter Insoluble in Alcohol
Matter Insoluble in Alcohol (requirement: maximum 80 per cent):
Moisture and Volatile Matter Content 105°C
Moisture is the amount of water present in the bar. The requirement according to national standards is a maximum 10 per cent of weight.
All the brands were found well below the maximum limit of 10 per cent.Tough Soil Cleaning (requirement: minimum 20 per c
Tough Soil Cleaning (requirement: minimum 20 per cent): To evaluate the tough-soil cleaning efficiency test, a soiling mixture consisting of wheat flour (16.5 per cent), besan flour (16.5 per cent), rice flour (17 per cent) and vegetable oil (50 per cent) was prepared and spread evenly on a stainless steel plate using a brush. The soiled plate was put on a hot plate with temperature maintained at 325 degrees C for about two minutes, and was subsequently cooled at room temperature. The plate was then cleaned thoroughly with the utensil bars being tested.
Retention (on a 250-micron sieve)
To check solubility, the bar’s retention on a 250 microns sieve was tested. The composition of the utensil bar should be such that all its ingredients are soluble in water. The maximum limit of retention is 0.1 per cent.
General Qualities
Marking
The package shall contain the following information:
Indian Standard has not specified the requirement for ‘best before’. None of the tested brands provided information either on directions and instructions for use or on ‘best before’ date.
Batch number was not marked in Nip, Reliance Scrubz, 555 and Xpert.
Indian Standard has not specified the requirement for ‘best before’. None of the tested brands provided information either on directions and instructions for use or on ‘best before’ date.
Packaging
The utensil bar should be securely packed in plastic wrappers, paperboard containers, or cartons as appropriate to the product form, or adequately sealed to retain the essential moisture contained in the utensil bar. Ideally, packaging should also be recyclable or biodegradable.
Net Weight (Grams)
The net weight for all the brands was measured and compared with the respective declared values. The maximum permissible error, as per Legal Metrology Rules 2011, is 9 grams for products weighing between 200 grams and 300 grams. For products weighing between 300 grams and 500 grams, the error cannot go beyond 12 grams.