CSIO's food testing device gets FSSAI nod

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 10

Precision Iodine Value Analyser (PIVA), an instrument developed by the Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO) here for the measurement of degree of instauration in vegetable oils, has been recognised by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) as a food testing device.

Conventionally, iodine value is determined using manual titration and a few analytical instruments based on automated titration are also available in the market. However, these methods take longer analysis time, are costly and use toxic chemicals.

Researchers at the CSIO developed a rapid analysis technique, which takes just three minutes for analysis of iodine value. Also, the cost of analysis per sample was reduced drastically.

The technology, transferred to a Chandigarh-based start-up for commercial production, has applications in oil extraction units, quality control and assurance labs, food regulatory authorities, soaps and cosmetics, bakeries, meat industry, paint industry, biodiesel analysis and charcoal industry. It is also useful in determining adulteration in edible oils and fats.

Currently, PIVA has been calibrated and tested for coconut, sunflower, mustard, palm, rice bran, soyabean, groundnut, olive oil and ghee. This new development is a part of the ongoing effort to strengthen food testing capabilities by introducing quick and advanced food testing kits.