Agricultural Product Standards Act, 1990 (Act No. 119 of 1990)

Regulations

2026 Regulations

Regulations regarding the Grading, Packing and Marking of Edible Vegetable Oils intended for Sale in the Republic of South Africa

Part IV: Sampling and Analysis of Edible Vegetable Oils

18. Obtaining a Primary Sample

Purchase

Retail containers

(1)

Notwithstanding regulation 17(1)(a) above, and more specifically section 6.8 in the latest version of the 'ISO 5555: 2001' standard , batches of edible vegetable oils packed in containers with a capacity not exceeding 5 litres as well as with a capacity of more than 5 litres and which are intended for sale to the consumer, shall be sampled as set out in sub-regulations (2) and (3) respectively.

Containers with a capacity not exceeding 5 Litres

(2)

(a)	A primary sample for containers not exceeding 5 litres shall consist of the number of containers taken from a batch as set out in Table 5 below.

(b)	Each container shall be suitably sealed to ensure the product is tamper-proof.

(c)	The samples shall be clearly labelled to ensure correct identification.

(d)	The number of containers referred to in column 2 of Table 5 which shall constitute a primary sample, may be increased to also provide enough additional edible vegetable oil for analysis by a laboratory other than that which performed the chemical analysis, counter-analysis, etc.

Containers with a capacity of more than 5 litres

(3)

(a)	A primary sample for containers not exceeding 5 litres shall consist of a representative part of the total number of containers in the batch, obtained by a process of reduction as set out in Table 6 below.

(b)	The content of the samples obtained in terms of Table 6 shall be homogenised for the preparation of the primary sample by pouring the contents of each container into a common container and stirring it, so that it will be best protected from air.

(c)	The content of the primary sample shall then be poured into a series of smaller containers with a minimum capacity of 1 litre, each one of which shall represent a primary sample.

(d)	Each container shall be filled in such a way as to minimise the air layer on top and shall then be suitably closed and sealed to ensure the product is tamper-proof.

(e)	Each sample shall be clearly labelled to ensure correct identification.

(f)	The number of containers referred to in column 2 of Table 6 which shall constitute a primary sample, may be increased to also provide enough edible vegetable oil for analysis by a laboratory other than that which performed the chemical analysis, counter-analysis, etc.