Instructions for Compulsory Grading and Marking of Blended Edible Vegetable Oils under Agmark

Instructions for Compulsory Grading and Marking of Blended Edible Vegetable Oils under Agmark.

1. General

Parties desirous of grading and marking of blended edible vegetable oils under Agmark shall make themselves conversant with the provisions of the Agricultural produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937, the General Grading and Marking Rules, 1988 and the Blended Edible Vegetable Oils Grading and Marking Rules, 1991 (hereinafter referred to as specified Rules). The following are only the supplementary instructions issued by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser to the Government of India in addition to the provisions of the above referred Act and Rules which shall be strictly complied with by all the concerned.

2. Issue and renewal of Certificate of Authorisation.

2.1 Apart from the relevant provisions of Act and Rules, the following instructions are issued regarding the issue and renewal of Certificate of Authorisation (C.A.).

2.1.1 The application for issue for C.A. shall be in the prescribed form as per Annexure I and shall be accompanied by a specimen of packing material (in case of plastic container), a certificate of suitability of the packing material from any one of the recognised Institutions and an undertaking regarding the quality of the packaging material. The renewal of C.A. shall be done as per the provisions of rules and the authorised packer shall submit the renewal application in the prescribed proforma (Annexure. II) well in advance. The application submitted after 30 days of expiry of validity period will automatically stand invalid in which case a fresh C.A. is required to be issued.

3. Inspection.

3.1 Inspection for grant of Certificate of Authorisation

The inspecting officer of the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection will verify the infrastructure and facilities required for grant of Certificate of Authorisation and shall submit the report in the prescribed proforma (Annexure – III). The inspection report shall give complete details as also the shortcomings, if any. A copy of the inspection report duly signed by the Inspecting Officer shall be given to the party.

3.1.1 The inspecting officer shall submit the inspection report alongwith the documents to the concerned authority who will issue the Certificate of Authorisation.

3.2 Level of control in the authorised premises.

The Chemist shall do the analysis of individual lots of component oils and the blended oils to ensure the conformity to the specified quality parameters as per the prescribed procedure.

3.3 Check/Surprise Inspection.

The authorised officer shall make check/surprise inspection of the approved grading premises and lots of component oils and the blended oils. He shall verify the quality characteristics of the vegetable oils by performing the Acid Value, kries test for rancidity, Holde’s test for the presence of Mineral oil. Thin Layer Chromatographic test for Argemone oil, Ammonium Molybdate test for the presence of castor oil and Flash point for the presence of solvents and any other test to check the admixture of other oils or contaminants in the component oils or the composit blended oil. He shall also draw samples in duplicate from the graded lots of blended vegetable oil for the purpose of check analysis at the Regional Agmark laboratory in the prescribed procedure.

3.3.1 The authorised officer shall inspect all the records pertaining to purchase of component oils and analytical results thereof. He shall also inspect the Laboratory, analytical records of various lots of component oils and graded lots of blended oils, label/replica account and other relevant records.

3.3.2 The authorised officers of the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection shall draw check samples from the graded lots of blended oil from any place while in transit, storage or sale in the market. The sampling shall be done according to the prescribed procedure.

4. Requirements of Infra-structure.

4.1 Apart from complying the special conditions specified under the Rules for grant of C.A., the authorised packer shall ensure provision of separate storage tanks and pipelines for different vegetable oils. The storage tanks containing the vegetable oils offered for inspection shall be clean and tidy, be provided with proper lid, homogeniser and locking arrangements at lid, inlets and outlets.

4.2 No oils other than those specified in the Schedule and no foreign substances excepting the chemicals to be used in processing of vegetable oils specified shall be stored in the approved premises.

4.3 The minimum qualification for a chemist to be approved for grading blended edible vegetable oils shall be a B.Sc. degree with Chemistry as one of the main subjects.

5. Procedure for Grading.

5.1 Sampling.

The sampling of component vegetable oils and the blended vegetable oil shall be done as per the procedure given in Annexure IX.

5.1.1 The approved chemist shall draw representative samples from the storage tanks of constituent oils. The representative samples shall be divided in two equal parts of 150 gms each. One part of the sample shall be analysed to ensure the conformity of quality parameters as prescribed under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Rules, 1955. The other part of the sample shall be filled in clean, sound and new tins or clean bottles securely closed and sealed. Each such sample shall be given a corresponding storage tank/manufacturing lot/Batch No. and date alongwith particulars of name of the oil, quantity and source of the oil. The samples shall be either marked or affixed with a label mentioning the above particulars.

5.1.2 The complete records of data on analysis of samples and of the quantity of graded oils procured, if any, from any external source alongwith the details of the Agmark label, numbers, names and address of the parties, the T.F. No. of graded oils, shall be maintained in the form of a register (Annexure IV). The conformity to the quality of graded oils shall be checked by analysis (Annexure V) and the deviation if any, shall be reported to the concerned office of Directorate of Marking and Inspection.

5.1.3 The second part of the samples of each constituent oil shall be sent to the specified Regional Agmark Laboratory as Reference samples indicating batch/lot number corresponding to storage tank/manufacturing lot alongwith the details of the analytical report in the prescribed proforma (Annexure-V) as mentioned in the proceeding para for the purpose of check analysis. The reference samples hall be sent to the Regional Agmark Laboratory within three days of the date of analysis in packer’s laboratory, or to the Central Agmark Laboratory, Nagpur, or as per specific instructions, if any.

5.2 Grading

The chemist shall draw a representative sample of blended oil from the storage tank as per the prescribed procedure. The representative sample shall be divided into two parts of 150 gms. each and be assigned a running batch/log No. independent of the numbers assigned to the constituent oils used for blending.

5.2.1 One part of the representative sample from the blended vegetable oil shall be analysed for all the quality parameters as per prescribed procedure. The analytical data of such samples shall be recorded and maintained in the prescribed proforma in a register (Annexure VI).

5.2.2 The grade of the blended oil shall then be assigned on conformation of analysis.

5.2.3 The second part of the samples of blended oil bearing the Batch/Lot No., date and the corresponding Batch/Lot No. of component oils used shall be sent to the specified Regional Agmark Laboratory alongwith the analytical report in the prescribed proforma for the purpose of check analysis.

5.3 Packing

The packing of blended edible vegetable oils shall be permitted in accordance with the provision under Rule 6 of the specified Rules.

5.4 Repacking of graded oil

5.4.1 The authorised packer, may, with the prior approval of the Agricultural Marking Adviser or authorised officer pack the graded blended vegetable oils of uniform quality in either clean and sound lorry tanker(s) or Railway tank-wagons. In such cases, the individual tankers shall be allotted individual batch/lot numbers from which the samples shall be drawn for the purpose of analysis and grading. Such tankers shall be securely closed with lids and sealed on all bungs with the help of lead seals and steel wire. The wire shall be passed through the holes of lead seal and bung very tightly and be pressed by a pair of pliers engraved with the word “Agmark” such that the lead seal cannot be taken out without damaging the lead seal. In one such sealing, appropriate Tie-on-label duly bearing the details of name of address of the packer, lot/batch no., date of packing, net weight and grade, shall be fixed b means of steel-wire before passing through the holes of lead seal and be pressed in the above manner.

5.4.2 Such bulk packing shall be permitted exclusively for repacking by the authorised packers into small containers. The repacking shall be permitted at the approved premises other than the grading premises only at the centres where the offices of the Directorate of Marking & Inspection are located.

5.4.3 The repacking centres shall have necessary facilities for handling and storage and filling of graded oils.

5.4.4 The authorised packer shall give an application to the local office of the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection nearest to the repacking centre, requesting for inspection of the graded lots packed in bulk containers and repacking operations. He shall also make available a copy of the analytical report of the lot concerned. Advance intimation of at least 2 working days prior to repacking may be given to the officers of the Directorate of marketing and Inspection.

5.4.5 The Inspecting Officer shall draw a representative sample from the Batch/Lot No. and forward the sample to the nearest Regional Agmark Laboratory for check analysis to ensure the conformity to the grade standards assigned to the lot.

5.4.6 The authorised packer shall engage two nominees who will be approved to supervise the operations of refilling, marking and sealing of the small containers on behalf of him. The approved supervisors will be responsible to carry out the repacking operations under their personal supervision, maintenance and submission of records.

5.4.7 The repacked containers shall bear the same details of Batch/Lot No., name and address of the packer etc. alognwith approved private Trade mark of the authorised packer in addition to the grade designation mark.

5.4.8 The repacking shall be completed within one week of the receipt of the graded bulk oil at the repacking station. Oil pertaining to one Batch/Lot/T.F. No. only shall be repacked in a single operation. The Agmark Tie_on_lables and lead seals originally applied to lorry tankers and railway tank wagons (if any) shall be retained by the nominees for accounting purposes.

5.4.9 The conditions for marking and packing mentioned in the specified Rules and instructions are equally applicable to repacking of graded oils.

6. Marking

The provisions for marking on the graded containers of blended oils shall be as laid down in Rule 7 of the specified Rules.

6.1 No grade designation mark shall be applied to any of the containers before the confirmation of analysis of the samples from the lot concerned, through it is permissible to fill the containers once the sample is drawn from the tank containing the lot.

7. Records and Returns.

7.1 The authorised packer shall maintain proper records related to purchases, processing of constituent oils, blending and grading of blended oils, the Agmark label/Replica account and shall submit periodical returns to the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection as per the conditions for the issue of certificate of authorisation prescribed under Rule 8 (7) of the specified rules.

7.2 The records maintained must show :

(i) The details of constituent oils that are procured from other Agmark packers, as may be applicable, as to the source, quantity, Lot no. and date and Agmark label/Sl. No. of Replica etc. (Annexure IV).

(ii) The analytical reports of the blended oil as well as constituent oils used (Annexure VI & V).

(iii) The number and size of the containers of graded blended oil packed. Agmark labels/Replica used, the grading charges paid and their account (Annexure VII).

(iv) Despatch notes indicating the names and addresses of the parties to whom the graded blended oils of different lots were despatched. (Annexure VIII).

7.3 It shall be the responsibility of the approved chemist and the authorised packer to forward the monthly returns to the concerned Sub Office/Regional Office before 7^th day of succeeding month.

8. Payment of fees/charges.

8.1 The prescribed grading charges shall be accounted at the end of every month and a Demand Draft (crossed) for the amount drawn in favour of Pay ad Accounts Officer, Directorate of Marking and Inspection, Nagpur/RD, New Delhi shall be sent to the concerned Sub Office/Regional Office of the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection along with the statement (Annexure VII) so as to reach him not later than the 7^th of the following month.

8.2 The mode of the payment for payment of advance grading charges towards Replica shall be by way of Demand Draft duly crossed and drawn in favour of Pay and Accounts Officer, Directorate of Marketing and Inspection, Nagpur/R.D., New Delhi. The Demand Draft along with the printing order in triplicate shall be sent to the concerned Sub Office/Regional Office of Directorate of Marketing and Inspection. The concerned office will countersign the printing order and after making entries in the relevant Registers send back two copies to the authorised packer, retaining one copy and the Demand Draft with them for accounting purpose.

8.3 Charges for training of Chemists

The authorised packer shall deposit the prescribed charges towards the training of the Chemists, appointed by him, in the analysis of vegetable oils by any of the Regional Agmark Laboratories of the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection.

9. Analysis of Reference/check samples at the Regional Agmark Laboratory.

9.1 The reference samples pertaining to lots/batches/T.F. No. of graded blended vegetable oil and the corresponding lots/batches of constituent oils used for blending and the check samples drawn by the authorised officers and forwarded to the concerned Regional Agmark Laboratory will be analysed as per the prescribed procedure.

9.2 If, on examination, any difference in the results in terms of quality factors exceeding the prescribed limits, are observed, the particular lot/batch shall be considered as misgraded and the concerned Regional Agmark laboratory shall intimate their observations immediately to the concerned Regional/sub Office who will in turn take necessary action on the authorised packer and his chemist. It shall be the responsibility of the packer to rectify the discrepancy/to remove the Agmark labels/Replica from/to withdraw all the containers filled from the particular Lot/Batch No. wherever the packages may be.

9.3 Both the packer and the grading chemist shall be liable for action as per the Rules, if appropriate action as referred above is not taken.

9.4 The officers authorised by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser will draw check samples not exceeding 150 gms from the packed containers of graded blended vegetable oils from grading premises or from any market outlet. Samples can also be drawn from the storage tanks where graded oil is stored and meant for packing or from lorry tankers and railway wagons containing graded blended oil. The check samples are drawn for the purpose of check testing in Regional Agmark laboratory with the view to ensure packing of correctly graded blended vegetable oils. The authorised packer shall provide all necessary facilities to the Inspecting Officer to draw check samples at his premises and the vendors/stockists or in transit to a store/shop/outlet.

9.5 Re-examination of samples.

Request in writing for re-examination of check samples of a particular lot of blended edible oil declared misgraded, on analysis by Regional Agmark Laboratory, will be entertained by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser provided such request is accompanied by a written undertaking from the packer concerned to the effect that he agrees to pay to the Directorate of Marketing and Inspection a prescribed sum per sample as fee for re-examination in case the result of the re-examination confirms to the earlier report of Regional Agmark Laboratory. While giving such undertaking, the packer shall also be required to withhold at his own risk and responsibility the disposal of packages of graded blended oil from the particular lot pending the receipt of results of re-examination. Full particulars of the premises where such packages are lying, the number and size of the packages and the Agmark labels affixed/Sl. No. of replica used shall be submitted by the authorised packer. The results of re-examination as declared by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser shall be considered final and binding on all parties.

10. Advertisement and publicity.

10.1 Any advertisement or publicity material using the expressions such as, “A.M.A.”, “Govt. of India”, “Blended Edible Vegetable Oils Grading Scheme”, “Agmark-Scheme”, “Agmark” etc. or display of “Agmark Replica” by the authorised packers shall have the prior approval of Agricultural Marketing Adviser. This facility is extended only to authorised packers. A specimen of such material shall be forwarded for granting permission.

10.2 The authorised packer shall also be required to ensure that his agents, distributors or retailers also comply with the above instructions in any publicity and advertisement undertaken by them in this regard.

Annexure – I

Application for Certificate of Authorisation for grading and marking

of blended edible vegetable oils.

(Part I )

To,

The Agricultural Marketing Adviser

to the Govt. of India

Directorate of Marketing & Inspection

New CGO Building, NH. IV

Faridabad – 121001.

Sir,

I/We _______________________________________________________________________ of

________________________________________________________________(Adddress)

Proprietor/Proprietors/ Managing Agents of _________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________.

( Name and Address of the

Mill/Firm/Undertaking)

_________________________________________________________________________ being desirous of grading and marking blended edible vegetable oils with grade designation marks in accordance with the Rules made under Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marketing) Act, 1937, hereby make application for a Certificate of Authorisation.

The grade designation marks will be applied only at the following premises :

__________________________________

__________________________________.

I/ We have carefully gone through the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937, General Grading and Marking Rules, 1988 and the Blended Edible Vegetable Oils Grading and Marking Rules, 1991, and the instructions issued by the Agricultural Marketing Adviser to the Government of India, in connection with the grading and marking of Blended Edible Vegetable Oils and agree to abode by them, as well as such rules and instructions, as may be issued from time to time.

( Signature of the authorised person )

___________________________

(seal)

Dated : ________________.

( Part II )

Particulars to accompany for Certificate of Authorisation for grading and marking

of Blended Edible Vegetable Oils.

1. Name and status of the Party applying for Certificate of Authorisation, (Private/Public Sector/Govt. Undertaking, etc.)

_________________________________________________________________________

2. Whether authorised to manufacture and sell blended edible vegetable oils by the Department of Civil Supplies, if so, a copy of the authority be enclosed.

3. Address

_________________________________________________________________________

4. Approximate quantity of Blended oil proposed to be graded per month : _________________ (in tonnes)

4.1. Name and address of the mills (if any), where blended edible vegetable oil will be manufactured :

_________________________________________________________________________

4.2 Name and address of oil mills from where the constituent oils are proposed to be procured.

Sl. No.	Name of the oil	Name of the oil mail with address (Source)	Quantity proposed to be procured in MTs/month.
1.
2.
3.

4.3 Oil seeds normally crushed/oils refined by the mail and the period for which the mill is crushing/refining.

_________________________________________________________________________

4.4 Quantities of different oilseeds crushed/oils refine annually.

_________________________________________________________________________.

4.5 Details of machinery at the mills with their capacity.

_________________________________________________________________________

4.6 Are different oilseeds stored and crushed/oils refined separately? If so, give details.

_________________________________________________________________________

5. Are separate tanks used for storage of different oils? If so, give details.

_________________________________________________________________________

6. What precautions are proposed to be taken to avoid admixture of different oil seeds and oils?

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

7. Number and capacity of tanks to be for storage of the Constituent Vegetable Oils and Blended Vegetable Oil proposed to be graded.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

Sl. No.	Number of Tanks	Total capacity (MTs)
1.
2.
3.
4.

7.1 Can the storage tanks be securely locked at the inlets and outlets:

_________________________________________________________________________

8. Is the laboratory fully equipped for analysis of constituent and blended vegetable oils _________________________________________________________________________.

9. Name of banks for reference ___________________________________________.

I/We hereby declare that the information given above is correct.

(Signature of the authorised person)

____________________________

(Seal)

Dated : __________________.

Annexure-II

Application for renewal of Certification of Authorisation.

To,

The Agricultural Marketing Adviser

To the Govt. of India,

New C.G.O. Building, NH.IV,

Faridabad.

I/We ___________________________________ (Business or Designation) __________________________________(Address) _______________________________ have been grading and marking blended edible vegetable oils under the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1937 and rules framed there under since ___________.

The present Certificate of Authorisation (No. _________) issued to me/us expires on ___________. As I/We am/are desirous to continue grading, it is requested that the present Certificate of Authorisation for grading at the following premises only may be renewed.

Address of premises _______________________________ My/our present Certificate of Authorisation is enclosed for necessary action.

Following quantity of vegetable oils have been graded by me/us during the last validity of the Certificate of Authorisation.

Quantity graded in MTs Estimated value in Lakhs (Rs.) Year

___________________ _________________________ ______

It is certified that grading charges up to ____________ have been deposited.

(Signature of the authorisation person)

Seal

Dated : ________________

Annexure-III

Proforma of Inspection Report for grant of Certification of Authorisation for

the grading of Blended Edible Vegetable Oil.

1. Application for grant of Certificate of Authorisation/change of the premises/additional premises, if any.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

2. Name and address of the Party

________________________________________________________________________.

3. Address of the premises where grading of Blended Edible Vegetable Oil shall be undertaken.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

4. Name and address of the mail where constituent oils shall be manufactured.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

5. Whether the premises are adequately lighted/well ventilated and hygienic.

_________________________________________________________________________.

6. Details of the size of the room where storage, grading and marking is to be done.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

7. Details of the machinery in the premises.

________________________________________________________________________.

8. Details of the storage tanks with capacity of the each for different constituent oils.

Sl. No.	Size of the tank (dimensions)	Capacity in MTs.
1.
2.
3.

9. Whether separate pipe lines are provided for different oils and their storage tanks.

________________________________________________________________________.

10. Number and capacity of storage tanks meant for blended oil.

Sl. No.	Size of the tank.	Capacity in MTs.
1.
2.
3.

11. Whether locking arrangements are provided for the storage tanks of the inlets and outlets.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

12. Quantity of Blended Oil proposed to be graded per month in MTs.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

13. Name and address of the firms/oil mills from which constituent oil will be procured with approximate quantity thereof.

Sl. No.	Name of the Oil	Name of the Mill	Approx. Quantity
1.
2.
3.
4.

14. Important places where graded blended oil is proposed to be marketed.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

15. Whether the laboratory is fully equipped for the analysis of constituent oils and blended edible vegetable oil (List of chemicals and apparatus may be attached).

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

16. Shortcomings in the premises/laboratory, if any.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

17. Recommendations.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

Date of Inspection

Signature of Inspecting Officer

Designation ________________.

BVO-I

Annexure-IV

Details of constituent oils (If Agmark)

S. No.

Name of the Oil

Name of the Agmark packer and C.A. number

Quantity in

M. Tons.

Lot No.

Date of packing

Agmark Label/replica No.(s)

Grade

BVO-2 (a)

Annexure-V

Record of analysis of Constituent Oils Processed.

Particulars of constituent oils used.

Lot No. of blended oil.

Name

and

nature of constituent oils.

Lot/batch No. of constituent oils used.

Moisture and insoluble impurities percent by weight.

Colour on lovibond scale in ____inch cell expressed as Y+5 R.

Specific gravity at 30⁰/30⁰ C

Refractive index at 40⁰C

Saponification value

Iodine value (Wij’s method)

Unsaponifiable matter percent by weight.

Acid value

Bellier’s Turbidity temperature in deg. Celsius

Kreis Test for rancidity

Holde’s test for the present of miner oil.

TLC test for the present of Argemone oil

Amm. Molybdate test for the present of castor oil

Flash point for the present of solvents

Any other specifi test fo the detection of contaminants.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

I (Minor)

II (Major)

I (Minor)

II (Major)

N.B : This form duly filled in should be sent to the concerned Regional Office by 7^th of every succeeding month.

BVO-2 (b)

Annexure – VI.

Particulars of blended oil.

S. No.

Lot./batch No. of blended oil.

Constituent oil batch No.

Date of sampling of blended oil.

Date of analysis/

packing.

Moisture and volatile matter percent by weight.

Acid value.

Unsaponifiable matter percent by weight

Flash point in deg. Celsius

Grade assigned

Signature of chemist in charge.

Remarks, if any.

10.

11.

12.

N.B : This form duly filled in should be sent to the concerned Regional Office before 7^th of the succeeding month.

BVO-3

Annexure – VII

Statement of blended oil packed, Replica containers used and the grading charges for the month of __________________________.

Sl. No.

Lot/Batch No. and date of packing

Grade

Serial nos. Of Agmark replica bearing containers packed in different sizes.

Serial of Replica

Total Qty. In the lot/batch

Opening Advance Replica charges (in Rupees)

Amount of grading charges adjusted for this lots

(Rupees)

Closing balance of amount at credit.

(Rupees)

Size

From

Total number

Qty. packed

10.

11.

12.

Counter signature of the packer

Signature of the Chemist_in_Charge

Note : This form duly filled in should be sent to the concerned Regional Office before 7^th of the succeeding month.

BVO-4

Annexure – VIII

Details of graded packages of blended oil despatched to different parties in the month of _______________________

Sl. No.

Lot/Batch No. & date of packing of blended oil.

Sl. No. of Agmark Replica containers despatched.

Size of packages.

Qty. Of oil despatched.

Name & address of the party to whom despatched.

Date of despatch.

From

Total No. of packages.

Signature

(Packer)

Note : This form duly filled in should be sent to the concerned Regional Office before 7^th of the succeeding month.