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May 2002

FOOD AUTHENTICITY SURVEY - CORN (MAIZE) OIL

This survey was conducted as part of the Working Party on Food Authenticity programme which aims to gather information about the description of food in the UK.

Summary A repeat survey investigating the accuracy of the label description of corn (maize) oils was carried out. A total of 61 samples were collected during October and early November 2001 from retail outlets and wholesale and catering suppliers in the UK. All the oils analysed were found to be correctly named. This represents a significant improvement on the results of a similar survey reported in 1995 when 35% of the samples tested were found to contain undeclared oil. Background Corn oil tends to be more costly than some other vegetable oils such as soyabean oil or rapeseed oil. This price difference may provide unscrupulous operators with the financial incentive to dilute or adulterate corn oil with cheaper vegetable oils such that the description of the oil type on the label is not accurate.

The authenticity of corn oils sold in the UK was previously investigated as part of the Single seed vegetable oil surveillance exercise reported by MAFF in 1995.
1

The results for corn

oils (also known as maize oils) tested were of concern because 35% of the samples contained three percent or more undeclared oil. The retailers and producers of these oils were informed of the results so that manufacturing practices could be reviewed and improved. The current survey was undertaken to assess whether improvements have been made.

Food Survey Information Sheets on the WWW: http://www.food.gov.uk/science/surveillance/

Legislation There is no specific legislation controlling the labelling and composition of vegetable oils in the UK. In the UK, giving misleading information about food to consumers and selling food that is not of the nature, substance or quality demanded by the consumer is covered by the general provisions of the Food Safety Act 1990 2. More specific legislation covering the labelling of food is given by the Food Labelling Regulations 1996 which require that the name used for a food shall be sufficiently precise to inform the purchaser of its true nature and to enable it to be distinguished from products with which it could be confused.
3

Methodology

Sampling A total of 61 samples were purchased during October and early November 2001 by Trading Standards and Environmental Health Departments and by Food Standards Agency officials. The samples were obtained in nine regional locations throughout the UK (Birmingham, Caerphilly, London, Northern Ireland, Richmond, Warwickshire, West Lothian, West Yorkshire, and South Gloucestershire). The samples collected were all described on the label as corn oil. They were collected mainly from national, regional and local retailers (92%) but also from wholesalers, catering suppliers and cash & carries (8%). It was noted that batch codes were illegible for two of the products collected.

The UK market for corn oil has been in decline since the original survey was conducted and now represents, at most, only 5% of volume sales of liquid vegetable oils. There are very few branded products and most sales are of own-label oils.4 The aim of the survey was, therefore, to obtain as many different products as possible.

Analytical approach The analytical protocol comprised two phases.

First phase analysis The

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C/12C ratio of corn oil is significantly different to that of the other oils of major

commercial importance (as it employs the C-4 photosynthetic pathway as opposed to the more common C-3 pathway). Consequently, the stable carbon isotope ratio (SCIR) may be used as a means of detecting C-3 vegetable oils in corn oil. This was, therefore, one of the principle methods used in the survey.
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Fatty acids are the major chemical components of vegetable oils and the different types and amounts of fatty acids present in a pure oil tends to be characteristic and, to a considerable extent, distinguishes one oil from another. Analysis of the fatty acids (and the iodine value a measure of the degree of saturation of the oil) can also, therefore, be used as a means of detecting the presence of undeclared oils and was also used to assess authenticity.

The fatty acid composition (and iodine value) and the SCIR were determined for all samples. Any samples which did not comply with the relevant specifications (see

interpretation of results) were considered to contain undeclared oil and were to be further analysed in order to try to determine the nature of this.

Second phase analysis Oils are complex mixtures and contain many components other than fatty acids, for example desmethylsterols and tocols (tocopherols and tocotrienols). As with the fatty acid profile, the desmethylsterol and tocol composition of an oil tends to be characteristic and analysis of these compounds can be used as supplementary criteria in the identification and authentication of different oils. For corn oil, in particular, the main potential adulterant oils are the cheaper oils, rapeseed and soyabean. Rapeseed oil is characterised by a high concentration of brassicasterol and soyabean oil by a high concentration of -tocopherol. Elevated levels of brassicasterol or -tocopherol in corn oil can, therefore, be indicative of the presence of rapeseed and soyabean oil respectively. In view of this, the second phase of analysis was to involve determination of the desmethylsterol and tocol compositions of samples containing undeclared oil.

Methods of analysis The methods of analysis employed are internationally recognised standard procedures. Fatty acid composition - ISO 5508 and ISO 5509. 5,
6

Iodine value (calculated from the fatty acid data) - AOCS Cd 1b-87. 7

Stable carbon isotope ratio - There are no standard protocols for the determination of the
13

C/12C isotope ratio.

The method used involved burning the sample to form carbon

dioxide which is purified by GLC and then analysed using a stable isotope ratio mass
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spectrometer to determine the relative proportions of were presented as a ratio of the heavy isotope 13C to

12 12

C and

13

C. Isotopic compositions

C measured as parts per thousand

with respect to an international standard PDB (Pee Dee Belamnite). Tocopherols and tocotrienols (tocols) composition - ISO 9936. 8 Desmethylsterol composition - ISO 6799. 9

Interpretation of results Authenticity was assessed by comparing the results of analysis with a purity specification for corn oil. This is contained in the Codex Standard for Named Vegetable Oils which was adopted formally by the Codex Alimentarius Commission in July 2001.
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It also

contains specifications for the main potential adulterants rapeseed oil (low erucic acid) and soyabean oil. The specifications comprise various chemical and physical criteria including acceptable ranges for fatty acids, iodine value, desmethylsterols, tocols and SCIR (corn oil only). Results & discussion Details of the oils collected for the survey are given in Appendix 1.

All of the 61 samples complied fully with the fatty acid (and iodine value) and SCIR specifications for corn oil contained in the Codex Standard, and we therefore believe them to be correctly named on the label.

Conclusions The results of the survey suggest that corn oil now sold in the UK is named correctly on the label. This represents a significant improvement on the situation in 1995 and suggests that suppliers have reviewed their processing procedures and implemented more rigorous quality control. Manufacturers will wish to review their provisions for printing batch codes to ensure that these are clearly legible throughout the lifespan of the product.

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References 1. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1995). MAFF single seed vegetable oil

surveillance exercise. Food Surveillance Information Sheet No 77. November 1995.

2.

Food Safety Act 1990. [1990] Ch. 16.

3.

Food Labelling Regulations 1996. SI 1996 No 1499.

4.

Market information obtained from - Edible oils, Mintel (1999).

5.

International Standards Organisation (1990). ISO 5508. Animal and vegetable fats

and oils - analysis by gas chromatography of methyl esters of fatty acids.

6.

International Standards Organisation (2000). ISO 5509. Animal and vegetable fats

and oils - preparation of methyl esters of fatty acids.

7.

American Oil Chemists Society (1997).

Recommended practice, Cd 1b-87,

calculated iodine value.

8.

International Standards Organisation (1999). ISO 12228. Animal and vegetable

fats and oils - determination of composition of the sterol fraction - method using gas chromatography.

9.

International Standards Organisation (1997).

ISO 9936.

Determination of

tocopherols and tocotrienols content - method by high performance liquid chromatography.

10.

Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme (2001). Report of the seventeenth

session of the Codex Committee on Fats and Oils, London, United Kingdom, 19-23 February 2001. Codex Alimentarius Commission, Alinorm 01/17.

11.

Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme (2001). Codex Alimentarius

Commission: report of the twenty-fourth session, Geneva, 2000. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations and World Health Organization, Rome, 2001, Alinorm 01/41.

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Further information Simona Origgi-Fernando Food Standards Agency Food Labelling and Standards Division Room 115B Aviation House 125 Kingsway London WC2B 6NH

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7276 8160 Fax: +44 (0) 20 7276 8193 E-mail: simona.origgi-fernando@foodstandard.gsi.gov.uk

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Authenticity of corn (maize) oils - sample details and analytical results - Appendix 1
Sample code BIR01 BIR02 BIR03 Brand name Batch code

Consumers Pride '100% pure corn oil' Pride Oils Plc, Pride House, Crown Road, Middlesex EN1 1DZ Consumers Pride '100% pure corn oil' Pride Oils Plc, Pride House, Crown Road, Middlesex EN1 1DZ KTC 'Pure corn oil' KTC (Edibles) Ltd, Becon Works, Friar Park Road, Wednesbury, West Midlands WS10 0JU KTC 'Pure corn oil' KTC (Edibles) Ltd, Becon Works, Friar Park Road, Wednesbury, West Midlands WS10 0JU Consumers Pride '100% pure corn oil' Pride Oils Plc, Pride House, Crown Road, Middlesex EN1 1DZ KTC 'Pure corn oil' KTC (Edibles) Ltd, Becon Works, Friar Park Road, Wednesbury, West Midlands WS10 0JU East End 'Pure corn oil' East End Foods Plc, East End House, Kendrick Way, West Bromwich B71 4EA East End 'Pure corn oil' East End Foods Plc, East End House, Kendrick Way, West Bromwich B71 4EA KTC 'Pure corn oil' KTC (Edibles) Ltd, Becon Works, Friar Park Road, Wednesbury, West Midlands WS10 0JU KTC 'Pure corn oil' KTC (Edibles) Ltd, Becon Works, Friar Park Road, Wednesbury, West Midlands WS10 0JU East End 'Pure corn oil' East End Foods Plc, East End House, Kendrick Way, West Bromwich B71 4EA Consumers Pride '100% pure corn oil' Pride Oils Plc, Pride House, Crown Road, Middlesex EN1 1DZ Indus Corn oil '100% pure premium cooking oil' Indus Foods Limited, 55-58 Startford Street, North Sparbrook, Birmingham B11 1BU Vita d'Or '100% pure corn oil' Lidl UK GmbH, 19 Worple Road, London SW19 4JS Mazola 'Pure corn oil' Bestfoods UK Ltd, Claygate House, Esher, Surrey KT10 9PN Vita d'Or '100% pure corn oil' Lidl UK GmbH, 19 Worple Road, London SW19 4JS

L1213 08:34 01835 Time 10:37 1229

BIR04

1300K

BIR05 BIR06

01365 Time 11.38 1267K

BIR07

LA1253 09:25

BIR08

LF12453 13:40

BIR09

1246K

BIR10

1283K

BIR11

IAI/Y/150/96

BIR12 BIR13

L1044 07:00 601

BIR14 CA01 CA02

L+1240 04:24 L1218 02:34 L+1240 04:37

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CA03 FSA01 FSA02 FSA03

Co-Op 'Pure corn oil' CWS Ltd, Manchester M60 4ES Waitrose 'Corn oil' Waitrose Limited, Bracknell, Berkshire Tesco 'Pure corn oil' Tesco Stores Ltd, Cheshunt EN8 9SL ASDA 'Pure corn oil' ASDA Stores Limited, Southbank, Great Wilson Street, Leeds LS11 5AD Waitrose 'Corn oil' Waitrose Limited, Bracknell, Berkshire Consumers Pride '100% pure corn oil' Pride Oils Plc, Pride House, Crown Road, Middlesex EN1 1DZ Vita d'Or '100% pure corn oil' Lidl Ireland GmbH, Great Connell Road, Newbridge, Co. Kildare Vita d'Or '100% pure corn oil' Lidl Ireland GmbH, Great Connell Road, Newbridge, Co. Kildare Super Valu 'Corn oil - 100% pure and natural' SuperValu Supermarkets Ltd, Laurel House, PO Box 929, Robinhood Industrial Estate, Dublin 22, Ireland Co-Op 'Pure corn oil' CWS Ltd, Manchester M60 4ES St Bernard 'Corn oil' Dunnes Stores (Bangor) Ltd, 28 Hill Street, Newry BT34 1AR Sainsbury's 'Pure corn oil' Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd, Stamford Street, London SE1 9LL Mazola 'Pure corn oil' Bestfoods UK Ltd, Claygate House, Esher, Surrey KT10 9PN Super Valu 'Corn oil - 100% pure and natural' SuperValu Supermarkets Ltd, Laurel House, PO Box 929, Robinhood Industrial Estate, Dublin 22, Ireland St Bernard 'Corn oil' Dunnes Stores (Bangor) Ltd, 28 Hill Street, Newry BT34 1AR Sainsbury's 'Pure corn oil' Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd, Stamford Street, London SE1 9LL Consumers Pride '100% pure corn oil' Pride Oils Plc, Pride House, Crown Road, Middlesex EN1 1DZ Waitrose 'Corn oil' Waitrose Limited, Bracknell, Berkshire Tesco 'Pure corn oil' Tesco Stores Ltd, Cheshunt EN8 9SL

1193 HA U 1095 A1 278 13:00 L+1283 17:23

FSA04 FSA05 FSA06

M 1261 L1026 02:31 L1219 19:38

FSA07

L1232 12:28

NI35

07:47

NI36 NI37 NI38

1172 HB L0314 B22 L1124

NI39 NI40

L1179 18:42 10:01

NI41 RM01

LA 1101 14:05 L1197 06:01

RM02 RM03 RM04

02147 Time 11:31 Q 1107 1 249 A3 07:37

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SG01 SG02 SG05 SG06

Tesco 'Pure corn oil' Tesco Stores Ltd, Cheshunt EN8 9SL Mazola 'Pure corn oil' Bestfoods UK Ltd, Claygate House, Esher, Surrey KT10 9PN Co-Op 'Pure corn oil' CWS Ltd, Manchester M60 4ES Sainsbury's 'Pure corn oil' Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd, Stamford Street, London SE1 9LL Vita d'Or '100% pure corn oil' Lidl UK GmbH, 19 Worple Road, London SW19 4JS Consumers Pride '100% pure corn oil' Pride Oils Plc, Pride House, Crown Road, Middlesex EN1 1DZ Sainsbury's 'Pure corn oil' Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd, Stamford Street, London SE1 9LL ASDA 'Pure corn oil' ASDA Stores Limited, Southbank, Great Wilson Street, Leeds LS11 5AD Vita d'Or '100% pure corn oil' Lidl UK GbmH, 19 Worple Road, London SW19 4JS KTC 'Pure corn oil' KTC (Edibles) Ltd, Becon Works, Friar Park Road, Wednesbury, West Midlands WS10 0JU Best-in Catering 'Pure corn oil' Bestway, London NW10 7BW Consumers Pride '100% pure corn oil' Pride Oils Plc, Pride House, Crown Road, Middlesex EN1 1DZ Best-in Catering 'Pure corn oil' Bestway, London NW10 7BW ASDA 'Pure corn oil' ASDA Stores Limited, Southbank, Great Wilson Street, Leeds LS11 5AD Mazola 'Pure corn oil' Bestfoods UK Ltd, Claygate House, Esher, Surrey KT10 9PN Co-Op 'Pure corn oil' CWS Ltd, Manchester M60 4ES Morrisons 'Corn oil' Wm Morrison Supermarkets Plc, WF2 OXF Morrisons 'Corn oil' Wm Morrison Supermarkets Plc, WF2 OXF Consumers Pride '100% pure corn oil' Pride Oils Plc, Pride House, Crown Road, Middlesex EN1 1DZ East End 'Pure corn oil' East End Foods Plc, East End House, Kendrick Way, West Bromwich B71 4EA

1 249 A3 08:13 L1179 19:02 1219 HA L1197 05:05

SG07 SG10 WA01

L1232 11:03 01323 Time 11:55 L1197 04:52

WA02

L+1261 16:27

WA03 WA04

L1232 11:59 0362K

WA05 WA06 WA07 WL01

1102 K 05038 Time 14:59 0349 K L+1261 15:08

WL02 WL03 YO01 YO02 YO03 YO04

L1208 03:19 1233 HA L1197 10:54 L1098 05972 Time 15:59 LEE1199 14:04

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YO05 YO06

Olympic '100% pure corn oil' Olympic Oils Ltd, Gaskill Road, Speke, Liverpool L24 9GS SOP 'Pure corn oil' Southern Oil Products Edibles (London) Limited, 7 Aston Fields Road, Whitehouse Industrial Estate, Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 3DL KTC 'Pure corn oil' KTC (Edibles) Ltd, JS House, Moorcroft Drive, Wednesbury WS10 7DE Best-in Catering 'Pure corn oil' Bestway, London NW10 7BW Olympic '100% pure corn oil' Olympic Oils Ltd, Gaskill Road, Speke, Liverpool L24 9GS SOP 'Pure corn oil' Southern Oil Products Edibles (London) Limited, 7 Aston Fields Road, Whitehouse Industrial Estate, Runcorn, Cheshire WA7 3DL

26053 illegible

YO07

1236K

YO08 YO09 YO10

1177 N24K 65B95 illegible

Note: All samples complied with the Codex Alimentarius acceptable ranges for fatty acids (and iodine value), and for the stable carbon isotope ratio (SCIR).

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