Overview
ISO 5555:2001 - "Animal and vegetable fats and oils - Sampling" specifies internationally accepted methods for sampling crude or processed animal and vegetable fats and oils (liquid or solid). It defines sampling objectives, required apparatus, sampling techniques for different container types, preparation of bulk and laboratory samples, packing/labeling and reporting. The standard is applicable across storage and transport formats and includes informative annexes on temperature limits and example sampling instruments.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and terminology: Defines consignment, lot, increment, bulk sample and laboratory sample to ensure consistency in sampling practice.
- Container-specific methods: Procedures for sampling from vertical land tanks, ships’ tanks, tank wagons/cars, horizontal tanks (including tank containers), weigh tanks, pipelines in transfer, and packaged goods (barrels, drums, tins, bags, consumer packs).
- Sampling apparatus: Recommends materials and instrument types - stainless steel preferred; aluminium only for low-acidity fats; PET may be used for containers; copper and toxic materials prohibited. Examples include weighted sample cans, valve sampling cylinders (sinker samplers), bottom samplers, sampling tubes and scoops (see Annex B).
- Water detection and management: Guidance for detecting free water, emulsions and suspended water (bottom samplers, water-finding rules/pastes or electronic methods) and on removing free water prior to sampling when appropriate.
- Homogenizing and heating: Procedures to obtain representative samples, including controlled heating (recommended maximum rise ~5 °C per day) and use of steam or hot water under careful conditions (steam pressure guidance included in the standard). Nitrogen or dry air blowing is discussed where heating is unsuitable.
- Sample handling: Cleaning, protection from contamination, preparation of bulk and reduced laboratory samples, packing, labelling and dispatch. The standard prescribes the content of the sampling report.
- Special determinations: Procedures for sampling for "conventional mass per volume" (litre weight in air).
Applications and who uses it
ISO 5555 is used by:
- Quality assurance and laboratory personnel analyzing fats and oils
- Sampling technicians and tank/ship operators
- Food manufacturers, oilseed processors, and edible oil traders
- Logistics, port and tanker operators handling bulk oils
- Regulatory bodies and inspectors ensuring uniform sampling for trade, safety and compliance
Practical benefits include improved representativeness of samples, reduced dispute risk in trade, and consistent laboratory results.
Related standards
- ISO 707 (sampling of milk and milk products, including milk fats) - referenced for dairy fat sampling.
- Annexes A and B of ISO 5555 give temperature guidance and examples of sampling instruments (informative).
Keywords: ISO 5555:2001, sampling fats and oils, animal and vegetable fats and oils sampling, bulk sampling, laboratory sample, sampling apparatus, tank sampling, water detection, sample containers, homogenizing.
