Overview
EN ISO 19219:2003 (ISO 19219:2002) specifies a simple gravimetric method for the determination of visible foots (settling sediment) in crude animal and vegetable fats and oils. The method quantifies insoluble matter (with occluded oil) that separates by gravity when a homogenized sample is stored under controlled temperature for 96 hours. This standard is used for product quality control, acceptance testing and laboratory reporting of sediment levels in crude fats and oils.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Determination of visible foots in crude fats and oils; applies to sediments separable by gravity.
- Sample preparation: Warm until fully liquid and homogenize (see ISO 661); cool with stirring to measurement temperature (20 °C or 10 °C above the melting point, whichever is higher).
- Test procedure: Fill a graduated sediment tube (100 ml) quickly with the homogeneous sample and stand vertically, undisturbed, for 96 hours at the specified temperature. Read the settled volume to the nearest 0.1 ml.
- Sediment tubes:
- Pear-shaped tube for sediment ≤ 1.5 ml per 100 ml.
- Cone-shaped tube for sediment > 1.5 ml per 100 ml.
- Number of determinations: Carry out tests in duplicate and report the mean.
- Expression and rounding of results: Report visible foots as % by volume at the test temperature. Rounding rules:
- <1 ml/100 ml → to 0.1 ml/100 ml
- 1–3 ml/100 ml → to 0.5 ml/100 ml
-
3 ml/100 ml → to 1.0 ml/100 ml
- Precision (repeatability and reproducibility):
- Repeatability limits (r): 0.1 (for <1), 0.3–0.5 (1–3), 1.0 (>3) ml/100 ml.
- Reproducibility limits (R): 1.0 (for <1), 3.0 (1–3), 5.0 (>3) ml/100 ml.
- Reporting requirements: Include sample ID, sampling method (if known), test temperature, sediment tube used, operating details and final result.
Applications and users
- Quality control laboratories in edible oil, biodiesel, and rendering industries.
- Processing and storage facilities monitoring crude oil cleanliness.
- Traders and inspectors assessing lot acceptance and product specification compliance.
- Regulatory and standards bodies verifying product conformity.
Practical benefits: low-cost gravimetric test for visible sediments, straightforward implementation in routine QC, and clear acceptance criteria based on volume percent.
Related standards
- ISO 661: Preparation of test sample (sample homogenization).
- ISO 5555: Sampling of animal and vegetable fats and oils.
- ISO 15301: Centrifuge method for sediment in crude fats and oils - shown to correlate with ISO 19219 (centrifuge method useful for rapid control, especially >0.5 ml/100 ml).
Keywords: EN ISO 19219:2003, ISO 19219:2002, visible foots, crude fats and oils, sediment determination, sediment tube, repeatability, reproducibility.