Through a letter dated 4 March 2020, the FSSAI has brought to the notice that there have been instances of adulteration of various vegetables oils. Specially mentioned is the adulteration of mustard oil with rice bran oil. Recently, the FSSAI has carried out a surveillance exercise of edible oils and fats in Delhi-NCR. According to the sample test reports around 33% samples of mustard oil were found to have the presence of oryzanol, which indicates the presence of rice bran oil in mustard oil.
The FSSAI has advised Food Safety Commissioners of all the States and UTs to carry out enforcement activities and collect samples of mustard oil of various brands available in the market and get them tested, including testing for the presence of oryzanol. In case any adulteration is detected then action is to be taken against the defaulters as per the Food Safety and Standards Act, Rules and Regulations.
About Adulteration of Mustard Oil
In the Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011 in the regulation 2.2: FATS, OILS AND FAT EMULSIONS the description for Mustard Oil is as follows
Rapeseed or mustard oil-low erucic acid means the oil obtained from clean and sound, low erucic acid oil bearing seeds of rapeseed belonging to compestris, juncea, or napus varieties of Brassica by the method of expression or solvent extraction and it shall be clear, free from rancidity, suspended or other foreign matter, separated water, added colouring or flavouring substances or mineral oil and shall contain not more than 2 % erucic acid (as % of total fatty acids).
Therefore, mustard oil adulteration with other edible oils can be determined by estimating the content of erucic acid in the blended oil. There are testing methods that can also determine the ratio of mustard oil when blended with other oils.
Presence of oryzanol in mustard oil means the mustard oil is not pure but has been adulterated with Rice bran oil. Rice bran oil is a rich source of oryzanol, whereas mustard oil contains only trace amounts of oryzanol. Oryzanol is also found in wheat bran and some fruits and vegetables.
Source: FSSAI
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