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Oil plant seeds are safe, though their quality is not always good enough

09/19/2002
 
The Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority carried out quality controls of oil plants, such as poppy seeds, sunflower seeds, and grains of vegetable marrow, sesame, flax and mustard. Since the oil seeds are used in the production of other kinds of food, the CAFIA inspectors focused especially on the control of the processing facilities, the bakeries and packers, and also the wholesale facilities and some retail shops. The total of 67 samples of oil plants were taken during the controls.

The seeds of oil plants used for the food production or direct consumption must comply with the food safety conditions and must have an adequate quality. As to the safety, the CAFIA inspectors evaluated the occurrence of contaminants and microbiological requirements. The analyses for the presence of preservatives were also performed (sorbic acid, benzoic acid, SO2), as the oil plant seeds should avoid chemical preservation. The results of analyses confirmed good safety of all the samples evaluated, only two cases showed slightly higher values of hygienic limits determined for cadmium and zinc.

In addition to safety requirements, the quality criteria were assessed, too. Out of 41 analysed samples, approximately one third did not meet the requirements for quality. The most frequently occurring non-conformance was the large amount of additives and contaminants, which can be represented by the immature, germinating or damaged seeds, seeds without pips, seeds of different plants, dust or sand. The oil plant seeds must not show any strange odours or flavours, and must not contain dead or even alive pests in any stage of development. The mow burnt, somewhat mouldy or rotten seeds can also be present only in a limited amount. Some 16% of samples analysed did not conform to the sensory requirements.

The CAFIA inspectors imposed 5 bans on batches to be released into circulation during the controls.

CAFIA pays considerable attention to quality monitoring of the oil plants, as the use of low quality oil plants as a raw material in the production of other foodstuffs can negatively influence the quality and taste of the final product.


Author: Mgr. Pavla Burešová - Communication Unit