Developing ISO International Standards for the Animal and Vegetable Fats and Oils Sector

Abstract

Increasing volumes of oils and fats are produced annually with a large section that are traded internationally. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) body develops international standards covering almost all aspects of technology and manufacturing with 23,882 standards currently published. Standards in the animal and vegetable fats and oils sector is developed by Technical Committee ISO/TC 34, Food products, Subcommittee SC 11, Animal and vegetable fats and oils. Standards are developed through consensus by national members that represent ISO in their country. Each Standard is developed within a determined timeframe and goes through various pre-determined stages such as project proposal, development, national voting and commenting on the draft Standard to final publication. ISO TC34/SC11 Standards range from sampling of oils and fats, sample preparation to analysis of its composition, the minor components, and quality and identity parameters as well as contaminants. The analysis results are used by industry for product development, labelling, research and to provide peace of mind for consumers on its safety. An important future trend is the focus on the safety concerns from either environmental contamination (e.g. mineral oils) or processing contaminants such as esters of 3-MCPDs (3-monochloropropane- 1,2-diol or 3-chloropropane-1,2-diol).

Keywords

• animal and vegetable fats and oils
• international organization for standardization (iso)
• national standard bodies
• time frame
• standard development stages
• review