Standard Practice for Bulk Sampling, Handling, and Preparing Edible Vegetable Oils for Sensory Evaluation

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This practice is designed for use by the oil processor or research laboratory for evaluation by a trained sensory panel, or for use by quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) personnel for sampling from a tank truck, car, or any other bulk transportation container, or by both.  
4.2 The consistent use of this practice will provide representative samples for all sensory, chemical and physical analyses and will protect the oil from oxidation.  
4.3 The objective of this practice is to ensure that the sample is representative of the sample source from the time of sampling until the time of evaluation and to protect oil quality during that time.  
4.4 This practice addresses neither evaluation and scaling techniques, nor the sampling, handling, and preparing of solid fats.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the recommended procedures for bulk sampling, handling, and preparing edible vegetable oil (liquid at room temperature) prior to sensory evaluation.  
1.2 This practice is consistent with the background information presented in ASTM STP 433, ASTM Manual 26, and ASTM STP 758. These should be consulted for supplemental guidance.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
28-Feb-2023
Technical Committee
E18 - Sensory Evaluation

Overview

ASTM E1346-16(2023), developed by ASTM International, is the recognized standard for bulk sampling, handling, and preparing edible vegetable oils for sensory evaluation. This standard practice is essential for oil processors, research laboratories, quality control (QC), and quality assurance (QA) personnel seeking reliable, representative oil samples for sensory, chemical, and physical analyses. The procedures outlined ensure the integrity and quality of edible vegetable oils from the point of sampling through to sensory analysis, offering protection against oxidation and degradation.

Key Topics

  • Sampling Procedures: The standard details protocols for withdrawing samples from bulk sources such as tank trucks or bulk storage containers. Consistency in sampling is urged to ensure representative and reliable results for both sensory and analytical testing.
  • Sample Handling and Storage: Guidance is provided for transferring oils from collection containers to approved storage, using amber glass bottles and inert gas (such as nitrogen) to mitigate oxidation and flavor contamination. Proper storage temperatures and avoidance of contact with oxygen are emphasized.
  • Preparation for Sensory Evaluation: The practice covers steps for preparing oils, including bringing samples to a homogeneous state, using specific glassware, and ensuring appropriate sample presentation. Oils must be stored and presented under conditions that preserve their original sensory properties.
  • Quality Assurance Measures: Using new, clean, and odor-free containers and caps prevents cross-contamination. Detailed cleaning procedures for glassware and instructions for discarding single-use items uphold stringent hygiene standards.
  • Limitations of Scope: The practice is specific to edible vegetable oils that are liquid at room temperature and does not cover solid fats or evaluation methodologies themselves.

Applications

  • Sensory Panel Testing: Enables research laboratories and oil processors to prepare uniform samples for expert sensory panels, supporting product development and comparative quality assessments.
  • Regulatory and QA/QC Compliance: Ensures that bulk samples taken for quality assurance or regulatory review are protected from spoilage and are representative of the larger batch.
  • Food Industry Best Practices: Producers and distributors of edible vegetable oils can rely on this standard to maintain product integrity during transportation, storage, and testing, thereby protecting brand value and consumer safety.
  • Research and Product Development: Facilitates consistent methods in research settings when comparing sensory, chemical, and physical properties of edible oils, allowing for accurate study and innovation.

Related Standards

  • ASTM STP 433: Basic Principles of Sensory Evaluation - foundational guidance on methods and principles for conducting sensory tests.
  • ASTM Manual 26: Manual on Sensory Testing Methods - additional protocols relevant to the evaluation of flavor, aroma, and other sensory aspects.
  • ASTM STP 758: Guidelines for the Selection and Training of Sensory Panel Members - best practices for assembling and qualifying effective sensory evaluation teams.
  • AOCS Method C1-47: Official sampling method for edible oils established by the American Oil Chemists’ Society.

Practical Value

Adopting ASTM E1346-16(2023) ensures that edible vegetable oils are accurately sampled, stored, and prepared for sensory evaluation without compromising product quality. This standard safeguards the evaluation process from degradation factors such as oxidation, contamination, and improper handling. By following these recommended practices, organizations can achieve greater consistency, compliance, and consumer trust in their products, meeting global quality assurance benchmarks and supporting harmonious trade and regulation in the food industry.

Buy Documents

Standard

ASTM E1346-16(2023) - Standard Practice for Bulk Sampling, Handling, and Preparing Edible Vegetable Oils for Sensory Evaluation

English language (4 pages)
sale 15% off
sale 15% off

Get Certified

Connect with accredited certification bodies for this standard

BSI Group

BSI (British Standards Institution) is the business standards company that helps organizations make excellence a habit.

UKAS United Kingdom Verified

Bureau Veritas

Bureau Veritas is a world leader in laboratory testing, inspection and certification services.

COFRAC France Verified

DNV

DNV is an independent assurance and risk management provider.

NA Norway Verified

Sponsored listings

Frequently Asked Questions

ASTM E1346-16(2023) is a standard published by ASTM International. Its full title is "Standard Practice for Bulk Sampling, Handling, and Preparing Edible Vegetable Oils for Sensory Evaluation". This standard covers: SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 This practice is designed for use by the oil processor or research laboratory for evaluation by a trained sensory panel, or for use by quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) personnel for sampling from a tank truck, car, or any other bulk transportation container, or by both. 4.2 The consistent use of this practice will provide representative samples for all sensory, chemical and physical analyses and will protect the oil from oxidation. 4.3 The objective of this practice is to ensure that the sample is representative of the sample source from the time of sampling until the time of evaluation and to protect oil quality during that time. 4.4 This practice addresses neither evaluation and scaling techniques, nor the sampling, handling, and preparing of solid fats. SCOPE 1.1 This practice covers the recommended procedures for bulk sampling, handling, and preparing edible vegetable oil (liquid at room temperature) prior to sensory evaluation. 1.2 This practice is consistent with the background information presented in ASTM STP 433, ASTM Manual 26, and ASTM STP 758. These should be consulted for supplemental guidance. 1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only. 1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 4.1 This practice is designed for use by the oil processor or research laboratory for evaluation by a trained sensory panel, or for use by quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA) personnel for sampling from a tank truck, car, or any other bulk transportation container, or by both. 4.2 The consistent use of this practice will provide representative samples for all sensory, chemical and physical analyses and will protect the oil from oxidation. 4.3 The objective of this practice is to ensure that the sample is representative of the sample source from the time of sampling until the time of evaluation and to protect oil quality during that time. 4.4 This practice addresses neither evaluation and scaling techniques, nor the sampling, handling, and preparing of solid fats. SCOPE 1.1 This practice covers the recommended procedures for bulk sampling, handling, and preparing edible vegetable oil (liquid at room temperature) prior to sensory evaluation. 1.2 This practice is consistent with the background information presented in ASTM STP 433, ASTM Manual 26, and ASTM STP 758. These should be consulted for supplemental guidance. 1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only. 1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

ASTM E1346-16(2023) is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 67.200.10 - Animal and vegetable fats and oils; 67.240 - Sensory analysis. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

ASTM E1346-16(2023) is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.

Standards Content (Sample)


This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: E1346 − 16 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Practice for
Bulk Sampling, Handling, and Preparing Edible Vegetable
Oils for Sensory Evaluation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1346; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3. Summary of Practice
1.1 This practice covers the recommended procedures for 3.1 This practice consists of the following basic steps:
bulk sampling, handling, and preparing edible vegetable oil removing oil from bulk source, transporting and storing oil
(liquid at room temperature) prior to sensory evaluation. prior to evaluation, preparing oils for evaluation, presenting
samples to panel, and cleaning glassware.
1.2 This practice is consistent with the background infor-
mation presented in ASTM STP 433, ASTM Manual 26, and
4. Significance and Use
ASTM STP 758. These should be consulted for supplemental
4.1 This practice is designed for use by the oil processor or
guidance.
research laboratory for evaluation by a trained sensory panel,
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
or for use by quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA)
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
personnel for sampling from a tank truck, car, or any other bulk
only.
transportation container, or by both.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.2 The consistent use of this practice will provide repre-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
sentative samples for all sensory, chemical and physical
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
analyses and will protect the oil from oxidation.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4.3 The objective of this practice is to ensure that the sample
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
is representative of the sample source from the time of
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
sampling until the time of evaluation and to protect oil quality
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
during that time.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4.4 This practice addresses neither evaluation and scaling
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
techniques, nor the sampling, handling, and preparing of solid
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
fats.
2. Referenced Documents
5. Apparatus
2.1 ASTM Publications:
5.1 Liquid Zone Sampler, or core sampler, or trier.
ASTM STP 433 Basic Principles of Sensory Evaluation
5.2 Wide-Mouth Jars made of polyethylene terephthalate,
nd
ASTM Manual 26 Manual on Sensory Testing Methods, 2
0.5 L to 1.0 L.
Ed.
5.3 Amber Glass Bottles, 250 mL to 1 L, with narrow-mouth
ASTM STP 758 Guidelines for the Selection and Training of
tops that will withstand freezer temperatures.
Sensory Panel Members
2.2 AOCS Standard:
5.4 Plastic Caps with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
Method C1-47 Sampling
Liners, or tape (PTFE pipe thread tape), to cover top of bottle
opening before capping with new non-metallic screw type
1 caps. Tape should be 2.5 cm in width or wider to completely
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E18 on Sensory
Evaluationand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E18.06 on Food and cover bottle openings.
Beverage Evaluation.
5.5 Glass Funnels.
Current edition approved March 1, 2023. Published March 2023. Originally
approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as E1346 – 16. DOI:
5.6 Glove Box with inert gas (for example, nitrogen)
10.1520/E1346-16R23.
2 atmosphere, including an oxygen scavenging device.
Available from ASTM International Headquarters, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO
Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959.
Available from American Oil Chemists’ Society, P.O. Box 3989, Champaign,
IL 61826. Available from Refinery Supply Co., Tulsa, OK.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E1346 − 16 (2023)
5.7 Glass Vial, 50 mL. Use amber glass for odor and flavor 7.2 Steps 7.3 – 7.5 should be conducted in a glove box
evaluation; and clear glass for visual examination of oil. under inert gas atmosphere.
5.8 Standard Disposable Glass Pipets, 10 mL, one per each 7.3 Flush bottle with inert gas prior to filling the bottle.
sample.
7.4 Fill bottle with oil, leaving 0.5 cm to 1 cm of headspace
5.9 Circulating Water bath, with automatic timer, thermo- between the oil and the cap liner.
stat and rack.
7.5 Flush headspace with inert gas to remove all oxygen
5.10 Water bath Thermometer, with range from 20 °C to
which deteriorates the oil, and cap bottle.
100 °C in 1 °C divisions, calibrated for 76 mm immersion,
7.5.1 Flush only the headspace with inert gas since bubbling
305 mm long.
nitrogen through oil for short periods of time has little benefit.
7.5.2 Analyze headspace for oxygen to ensure that bottles
6. Precautions
are being flushed correctly as follows:
6.1 Oil submitted for chemical and physical testing and for
7.5.2.1 Flush headspace of bottle with inert gas, seal with
sensory evaluation should be from the same bulk sampling.
silicone rubber septum in screw type cap.
Tank trucks, cars, or any other bulk transportation containers
7.5.2.2 Withdraw a gas sample with a syringe through the
may be filled with as many as seven layers and each level of oil
septum.
may be slightly different in quality. Oil samples should be
7.5.2.3 Inject sample into gas chromatograph with thermal-
handled in the same manner and time frame to ensure high data
conductivity detector using a two column system. Column
correlation.
conditions are: ethylvinyl benzene-divinylbenzene polymer 80
to 100 mesh (3 ft by ⁄8 in.) and molecular sieve 5A 80 to 100
6.2 Obtain a representative oil sample for all evaluations
mesh (9 ft by ⁄16 in.) with 25 °C oven temperature and
(sensory, chemical, instrumental); unblended multiple samples
20 mL ⁄min helium flow rate.
may produce different results.
7.6 Store all oils at -20 °C or 5 °C, except for the sample for
6.3 Do not allow glass containers in processing or produc-
tion areas where oil sampling is done. initial evaluation, which may be held at ambient temperature
(25 °C) in the dark for 1 h after sampling from bulk storage
6.4 Use only new, clean, dry, and odor-free polyethylene
before analyses.
terephthalate (PET) wide-mouth jars to collect oil samples;
7.7 Samples should be held a maximum of 2 days at 5 °C 6
dispose of jars rather than cleaning them.
2 °C in the dark before evaluation. If evaluation is not possible
6.5 Store oil in amber glass bottles to protect the oil from
within this time frame, filled containers should be held at
light oxidation.
-20 °C. Always store samples in the dark.
6.6 Choose size of storage bottle based on purpose of
7.8 Do not open bottles until ready for sample evaluation.
evaluation, amount of oil required for each testing session or
During this holding period, bottles should remain sealed with
for number of panelists, and amount of oil needed for instru-
inert gas in the headspace.
mental or chemical tests. For example, a 1 L sample of oil that
requires evaluation quarterly should be stored in four 250 mL 7.9 Winterized Oil:
bottles. 7.9.1 Frozen sample is removed from cold storage and held
at refrigerated (5 °C 6 2 °C) temperature until completely
6.7 Use PTFE-lined caps or PTFE tape under caps to protect
homogeneous, that is, clear, with no visible solids. The time
oil from off-odors or flavors imparted from metallic or unlined
requirements for thawing the oil will vary depending upon
plastic caps.
container size.
6.8 Do not expose oil to any environmental condition (for
7.9.2 Sample must be mixed just prior to evaluation by
example, ligh, heat, oxygen, moisture) or any equipment
inverting bottle several times to ensure homogeneity and to
(metals) that will cause oxidation of the oil and alter sensory
minimize potential densi
...

Questions, Comments and Discussion

Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.

Loading comments...