Technical guide
How to read an oil specification
Understand the difference between a reference specification, a label declaration and a lot-specific COA.
Three documents, three different jobs
A product specification defines the agreed product and acceptance limits. A nutrition declaration provides the values used for the food label. A certificate of analysis reports test results for an identified lot. One should not be substituted for another.
Read the units and the test conditions
A number without a unit or method can be misleading. Density and refractive index depend on stated test conditions. Free fatty acids may be expressed against a specified reference acid. The meaning of a maximum limit is different from a typical value or an acceptable range.
Physical properties
The product technical profiles cover appearance, taste and odour, colour, cold test, relative density and refractive index. Where a field is ambiguous, request clarification instead of converting it into a new claim.
Chemical properties
The published tables include free fatty acids, peroxide value, saponification value, iodine value, unsaponifiable matter, moisture, impurities and soap content. The relevant limits need to match the actual oil and grade; copying one oil’s table into another product page creates a false specification.
Nutrition needs a clear basis
Values per 100 ml and per 100 g are not interchangeable. Check that the declaration states its basis, units and the required nutrient categories. If two language versions disagree, obtain the approved declaration for the actual product.
Connect the lot to the agreement
When reviewing a COA, match its product identity and lot number with the shipment documents. Compare the reported results with the signed specification. A generic website table does not prove the quality of a particular shipment.
Our technical notes explain grade integrity and order-specific confirmation.
Further reading: Technical notes, quality & documentation and the relevant product page. This is a buying guide, not a confirmed commercial offer.