Palm oil: Quality requirements from a customer's point of view

Abstract

Abstract The quality specifications for partly and fully processed oils sold to the European Edible Fats industry are discussed. The industry generally has regarded quality specifications as giving some guarantee of parameters such as FFA, moisture, impurities, iodine value and solids content. However, the availability of processed oils leads us to consider other aspects of quality apart from those normally required. In particular, potential hazards associated with refining and transport procedures become increasingly significant if the European industry is to consider using fully refined oils directly in products. As long as suppliers are unable to make the necessary guarantees, Unilever companies in Europe will be unable to take full advantage of the potential benefits offered by the palm oil industry. The above topics, together with a description of the specification required for the specific product applications, are discussed in this paper.