Comparative Test

Sunflower Oils
Who is the first among the equals?
Golden, light and healthy-sunflower oil is naturally extracted from sunflower
seeds and bears a subtle taste. The oils are refined through different processes
such as express and solvent refined to make them edible. The Indian Standard (IS
4277:2014) though prescribes different grades of the oil, however, both expressed
and refined grade of solvent extracted are recommended for edible purposes. To
make the buying decision simpler for consumers, our team had tested 12 sunflower
oils brands and ranked them as per the test results.
A Consumer Voice Report

E
ach brand was evaluated on quality and laboratory and as per requirements specified in the
purity parameters including fatty acid Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Regulations and
composition, saturated fatty acids, MUFA, Indian Standard IS: 4277-2014 as well as nutritional
PUFA, trans fats, moisture and insoluble declarations. Following 12 refined sunflower oil
impurities, refractive index, acid value, saponification brands packed in 1 litre poly pack were tested. Among
value, unsaponifiable matteramong others. the following brands, few brands are regional and
have sizable market share in the region. The table
Tested Brands below shows which sunflower oil scored highest and
The tests were conducted at an NABL-accredited in what parameters:

CONSUMER VOICE OCTOBER 2019 • 9

Comparative Test

Rank Total Score Brands Quantity MRP, Best Manufacturer/

Out of 100 Rs, Before, marketer
(rounded off) Months
1 93 Gemini 1L (910 gm) 140 9 Cargill India Pvt. Ltd.
1 93 Emami 1L (910 gm) 115 9 Emami Agrotech
Limited
2 91 Dhara 1L (910 gm) 115 9 Mother Dairy Fruit &
Vegetable Pvt. Ltd.
2 91 Fortune 1L (910 gm) 125 9 Adani Wilmar Ltd.
2 91 Dalda 1L (910 gm) 115 9 Bunge India Pvt. Ltd.
3 90 Gold 1L (910 gm) 104 6 Kaleesuwari Refinery
Winner Private Limited
3 90 Fresh & Pure 1L (910 gm) 120 9 Future Consumer
Limited
3 90 Freedom 1L (910 gm) 105 6 Gemini Edible & Fats
India Pvt. Ltd.
3 90 Nature Fresh 1L (910 gm) 130 9 Cargill India Pvt. Ltd.
4 89 Patanjali 1L (910 gm) 105 9 Patanjali Ayurved
Limited
5 86 Sweeker 1L (910 gm) 132 9 Cargill India Pvt. Ltd.,
5 86 Sundrop 1L (910 gm) 195 9 Agro Tech Foods Ltd.
Note: All the brands claim to be fortified with Vitamin A, D and E. Brand Dalda is imported refined sunflower Oil.

CONSUMER VALUE
VOICE FOR
RECOMMENDATION MONEY
Gemini and Emami Emami

10 •
 Sunflower Oils

Key Findings
• Based on the overall test findings, brands
Gemini and Emami secured number one
position followed by Dhara, Fortune and
Dalda.
• Emami is value for money brand.
• Saturated fats was found lowest in Gemini
and Emami.
• In MUFA (healthy fats), Dhara and Sweekar
scored highest and Sundrop the lowest.
• In PUFA, (that helps to reduce bad
cholesterol), Emami scored highest and
Sweekar the lowest.
• All the brands had met the standard
requirements and thus found safe for
consumption.
• Most of the brands had high difference in
their MRP and our purchased price.
• MRP of one litre sunflower oil was between
Rs.104 to 195.
• None of the tested brand was found
adulterated with cheap oil.

The oil extracted from the seeds of sunflowers

is known as sunflower oil. It has a high quantity of
vitamin E, in the form of alpha-tocopherol, which
makes it excellent for being used in cooking.
It has a high smoking point, which means that
sunflower oil holds on to its nutritional content
at higher temperatures.
As a form of cooking and frying oil, the high
linoleic acid content in sunflower oil is considered
Test Results to be a desirable constituent. Of course, the
Fatty Acid Composition | Saturated Fatty linoleic acid also leads to storage problems due to
Acids| MUFA | PUFA | Trans Fat | Moisture and oxidation resulting in off-flavours and rancidity.
Insoluble Impurities | Refractive Index | Acid Value| Look for the high oleic variety of sunflower
Saponification Value | Unsaponifiable Matter | Iodine oil for deep-frying. High oleic oil is high in
Value | Flash Point | Specific Gravity | Per Oxide monounsaturated fats (MUFA) and has no
Value | Argemone Oil | Mineral Oil | Hexane| harmful trans-fat.
Packing | Marking | Description | Net Quantity
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Comparative Test
Comparative Performance Score

Brand Parameter Wt. % Gemini Emami Dhara Fortune Dalda

MRP per litre, Rs. 140 115 115 125 115
Moisture & Insol. impurities 5 4.40 4.40 4.60 4.60 4.60
Saponification value 7 6.68 6.89 6.36 6.42 5.74
Acid value 6 6.00 5.10 5.70 5.70 5.70
Iodine value 7 6.89 6.95 6.10 6.42 6.60
Unsaponifiable matter 7 6.16 6.58 6.02 6.30 6.86
Refractive Index 7 6.38 6.33 6.44 6.28 6.44
Flash point 5 4.84 4.84 4.88 4.80 4.90
Specific gravity 5 4.20 4.28 4.44 4.92 3.40
Per oxide value 5 4.88 4.43 4.58 4.41 4.35
Saturated fatty acid 7 6.38 6.33 6.16 4.45 5.32
MUFA 10 9.72 9.64 10.0 9.47 9.82
PUFA 8 5.87 6.51 5.14 6.33 5.84

TEST PARAMETERS heart, digestion, and cell maintenance. Sunflower oil

contains as much as 85 per cent MUFA.MUFAs lower
 Fatty Acid Composition the level of bad cholesterol (LDL) and raise the good
All edible oils have virtually the same fat content cholesterol (HDL). In our test, we found MUFA was
but the proportion of different types of fatty acids vary highest in Dhara , Sweekar and the lowest in Sundrop.
from one type of oil to another. There are unsaturated
and saturated fats.  PUFA (Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids)

Unsaturated fats are of two kinds MUFA and PUFA helps reducing bad cholesterol levels
PUFA. MUFAs lower the bad cholesterol level thereby lowering heart disease and related diseases.
(LDL) in the blood and increase the good cholesterol The sources of PUFA include walnuts, sunflower
(HDL). All the brands were tested for fatty acid seeds, sesame seeds, peanut butter and peanuts,
composition as per requirement of FSSAI and found flaxseed, poppy seed and oil of avocado, olive and
within the specified limits. The results of acids sunflower. PUFA was highest in Emami and the
detected are given below: lowest we found in Sweekar.

 Saturated Fatty Acids  Trans Fat

Eating foods that contain saturated fats raises Just like saturated fats, trans fat also raise the
the cholesterol level. Saturated fats raise the HDL level of bad cholesterol. Trans fat was not detected in
cholesterol and change LDL from small, dense (bad) any brand of sunflower oil.
to large LDL. Saturated fat was highest in Sweekar
and lowest was in Gemini and Emami.  Moisture and insoluble impurities
Moisture and insoluble impurities of refined oil
 MUFA (Monounsaturated Fatty Acids) shall not be more than 0.1% as per BIS standard.
MUFAs are a healthy type of fat. MUFA and The sunflower oil should be free from any kind of
PUFA as per the dietary recommendation helps in impurities which are insoluble in oil. All the evaluated
biochemical processes associated with nerves, brains, sunflower oil brands had met the requirement.
12 •
 Sunflower Oils

Gold Winner Fresh & Pure Freedom Nature Fresh Patanjali Sundrop Sweekar
104 120 105 130/95 105 195 132
4.40 4.60 4.60 4.20 4.40 4.40 4.20
6.95 6.54 6.42 5.99 6.26 6.83 6.65
5.10 5.70 5.70 5.10 5.70 5.70 5.70
6.82 6.40 6.63 6.79 6.63 6.31 6.39
6.30 6.16 6.65 6.72 6.44 5.60 6.02
6.28 6.50 6.33 6.38 6.38 6.44 6.38
4.90 4.86 4.86 4.78 4.82 4.78 4.80
3.88 2.84 4.28 3.80 3.32 3.64 3.48
4.72 4.40 5.00 3.43 4.95 3.91 3.32
4.54 5.35 3.50 5.68 3.92 5.18 3.33
9.72 9.51 9.96 9.59 9.52 6.03 10.0
5.85 6.50 5.08 6.43 6.08 6.21 4.81

 Refractive Index  Unsaponifiable Matter

Refractive index of oil is used to detect rancidity in Unsaponifiable matter includes those substances
edible oil. It should be in range of 1.4640-1.4691at which cannot be saponified by caustic treatment,
40°C, however for imported oil, it should be between but which are soluble in the normal fat solvents.
1.461-1.468. All the brands were within the specified Unsaponifiable matter should not be more than 1.5
limit. However, brand Fresh & Pure scored highest in per cent in sunflower oil. All the tested sunflower
this parameter. oil brands were found within the limit. Dalda scored
highest in this parameter.
 Acid Value
According to BIS standard requirements, the  Iodine Value
acid value should be 0.5 maximum. However, FSS The iodine value for edible oils is a measure
regulation says the acid value level should be at of the un-saturation of fats and oils. Iodine value
6.0 maximum. For imported products, the level for sunflower oil should be between 100–145. For
should be at 4.0 maximum. Acid value indicates imported oil, iodine value should be in the range
the proportion of free fatty acid present in oil. High of118-141. All the tested brands were found within
acid value indicates stale oil stored under improper the specified limit in this parameter. Emami scored
condition. The acid value of all the brands was highest in this parameter.
found within the limit and Gemini scored highest
in this parameter.  Flash Point
The flash point of a volatile material is the
 Saponification Value lowest temperature at which it can vaporize to form
Saponification value helps to detect the presence an ignitable mixture in air. At the flash point, the
of other oils/fats. Saponification value of sunflower vapor may cease to burn when the source of ignition is
oil should be between188–194. All the brands were removed. It shall not be less than 250 o C. Flash point
found within the limit and Gold Winner scored of all the brands was found well above the specified
highest in this parameter. limit. Dalda scored highest in this parameter.
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Comparative Test

 Specific Gravity oils on this parameter, we found all the brands were
Specific gravity of edible oils should be less than free from this substance. Additionally, no adulteration
1.00 as they are insoluble in water. In our test, we with cheap oils was detected in any brand.
found, the specific gravity of all the tested sunflower
oils was in the range of 0.9145-0.9182. Fortune scored  Hexane
highest in this parameter. Hexane is used to extract cooking oils from seeds,
for cleansing and degreasing a variety of items. It
 Per Oxide Value should not be more than 5 ppm. In our test, Hexane
Peroxide value is the most commonly used assay was not detected in any brands up to the detection
for measuring the state of oxidation in fats and oils. limit of 1.0 ppm.
As per the national standard, per oxide value can be
maximum at10 meq/kg. Here, all the brands were  Packing
found within the specified limit. Freedom scored As per the standard, the packing of the sunflower
highest in this parameter. oil should be done with food grade packing material.
Also, the packing should not affect the oil properties
 Argemone Oil and maintain the shelf life of the product. The tested
Argemone oil is very toxic and may cause eye sunflower oil brands were packed in 1 litter poly pack.
disease leading to blindness. Regular consumption
of it may also cause disease called epidemic dropsy,  Marking
resembling wet beriberi. Hence, Argemone needs to The labeling information should be clearly
be absent in sunflower oil. In the evaluation process, and indelibly marked in English or Hindi on the
we did not find Argemone oil present in any sunflower containers: a) name and trade-mark, type and grade of
oil brand. oil, b) batch number, month and year of manufacturer,
c) free from argemone oil, d) nutritional information,
 Mineral Oil e) best before, f) net quantity, g) standard mark if any
A mineral oil or paraffin oil is any of the various h) green dot mark i) customer care details j) FSSAI
colorless, odorless, light mixtures of higher alkanes license number k)MRP. All the brands have given
which should be absent in edible oils. As we tested the necessary information on their labels.
14 •
 Sunflower Oils
 Description
All the brands were clear and free from rancidity,
suspended or other foreign matter, separated water,
added colouring or flavouring substances.

 Net quantity
According to legal metrology (packaged
commodity) rules for 1000-10000 ml tolerance allowed
is 1.5 per cent. All the brands were found above the
declared quantity.

 Conclusion
How To Best Match Your Oils To Foods
All the tested brands fulfilled the minimum
The only way to ensure that you consume
requirements and can be considered safe for human
healthy oil is by switching between two-three of
consumption. Keeping in view the evaluation of test
them – for instance, by using groundnut oil one
results and overall grading, it can be concluded that
month and then using sunflower oil/mustard oil
most of the brands qualify to be in very good category
in another. Any single oil alone is not preferred.
and can be considered as a safe cooking medium.
Blending oils is another option, whereby you
take equal proportions of different oils in one
container and then use it. This way you do not get
Shelf Life
prolonged exposure to the side effects of one type
The declared shelf life of all tested brands
of oil and also get the benefits of different oils.
is in the range of 6 to 9 months. Where
the shelf life is six months, there is all the You could also have two or more different
more need for the consumer to be aware, kinds of oils in your kitchen which you could use
particularly if they are buying the large pack for different purposes. For example, you could
of five litres or higher capacity. They must use olive oil for salads, groundnut/rice bran oil
ensure that the oil remains stable within the for frying, and mustard/soybean/sunflower oil for
consumption period. other cooking purposes. This will let you avail of
the health benefits offered by each oil brand.

MUFA, PUFA, Saturated Fats and Trans fat

Monounsaturated Polyunsaturated Saturated Trans
Good Fat Good Fat Bad Fat Bad Fat
Reduces bad cholesterol Reduces bad Increases overall cholesterol Increases the bad
(LDL) levels and cholesterol (LDL) levels, especially bad cholesterol cholesterol (LDL) level
increases good levels and decreases good
cholesterol (HDL) levels cholesterol (HDL) levels
Found in nuts and seeds, Found in fatty fish Found in animal-based foods Found in hydrogenated
avocados, olive oil and such as salmon, such as meat, poultry and eggs, fat products such as
canola oil mackerel, trout and also in butter, cream and margarines and vegetable
and sardines, other dairy products shortenings
and also in Also found in plant-based Used in packaged snack
corn, safflower, products such as coconut, foods such as cookies,
sunflower and coconut oil, palm oil and palm crackers and chips, and in
soybean oils kernel oil, and cocoa butter fried foods

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