FSSAI has issued and order dated 7 April 2021 regarding Method of Determination of Iron Filings in tea. The FSSAI has approved the method of determination of iron filing in tea which is given in the Annexure below
The FSSAI has requested the food testing laboratories to use the approved method with immediate effect.
The FSSAI has also stated that any issue related to the method may be forwarded to the Scientific Panel on Methods of Sampling and Analysis for its consideration at the following email [email protected]
Annexure
Method |
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Revision No. and Date |
07.04.2021 |
Scope |
To lay down a procedure for the determination of iron filings in tea. Method can be applied to all tea samples for iron filings |
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Caution |
Non |
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Principle |
Iron filings or iron particles may appear during manufacture of tea and affect its quality. This method follows the gravimetric estimation of iron particles using a magnet. |
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Apparatus/ Instruments |
Magnet (Strength -1000 gauss) |
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Materials and Reagents |
Analytic balance, Magnet, white sheet |
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Preparation of Reagents |
Non applicable |
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Method of analysis |
Step 1 – Take whole unit pack (250 g) sample and homogenize / mix properly and spread the mixed sample in thin layer (- 5 mm) on white sheet
Step 2: Collect the five sub-lot fractions of sample from five different regions (4 corners and centre) in total weighing 50 g. Remaining 200g sample shall return to pack. Step 3: Combine and mix all 5 sub-lot fractions into one Step 4: From the above, weigh and use 20 g sample for next step. Spread it to very thin layer (close to uni-layer around 2-3 mm) on white sheet. Step 5: Slowly move the magnet ( -1000 gauss strength) over thinly spread (around 2-3 mm height) tea sample, as above in the flow manner, indicated in below diagram. Repeat this manual magnet movement multiple times over 10 min duration. Collect the iron filings sticking on the magnet each time of movement and pool in petri dish. (Note: magnet should pass just above the surface of the tea powder.) Step 6: Spread the collected iron pieces (which may contain few tea particles also along due to electrostatic attraction) on white paper and use magnet movement (2nd time) above the distance of 0.5 – 1.0 cm from the spread layer on paper. This second action of magnet collects only iron particles, leaving tea sample on paper. Step 7: take the weight of the collected iron particles, sticking on magnet, using analytical balance Step 8: Repeat the entire process in triplicate for averaging |
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Calculation with unit of expression |
Calculation mg/Kg Weight of iron filings (mg) X 1000 Weight of the sample (g) |
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Reference |
IS: 3633:2003 (Black- Tea -Specification (Second Revision) |
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Approved by |
Scientific Panel on Method of Sampling and Analysis |
Note: The aforesaid test method is standardised / validated method. However, it would be the responsibility of the respective testing laboratory to verify the performance of this method onsite and ensure that it gives proper results before putting this method to use.
Source : FSSAI
VISHAL BAHETI says
Now , when the method has approved for determination of iron filing in tea , what is the maximum permissible limit of iron filing in tea ?
Earlier it was 150 ppm then it was increased to 250 ppm , stating that there is no proper methodology to to determine iron filing in tea .
FSH Team says
Hi,
As per the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulation, 2011 and the respective amendments, the limit of Iron filling in Tea is; Iron Filling (mg/Kg) – Not more than 250
Please refer: https://fssai.gov.in/upload/uploadfiles/files/Compendium_Food_Additives_Regulations_26_03_2021.pdf
Dhanasekar Venugopal says
What is the test method for Analysis of Iron filling in Sugar
Dr. Saurabh Arora says
Hi, test for iron filings is by using a magnet