AFDC 19  (1105)  DTZS  
                                                                                                               REV.TZS 1578:2012  
                              
 
DRAFT  TANZANIA STANDARD  
 
Sunflower seed s for oil extraction – Specification  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TANZANIA BUREAU OF STANDARDS   
                                                                                                              AFDC 19  (1105)  DTZS  
                                                                                                               REV.TZS 1578:2012  
 
Sunflower  seed s for oil extraction – Specification  
 
0 Foreword  
 
Sunflower is among th e five major oilseed crops in Tanzania. Others are sesame, groundnuts, palm 
and cotton oil. It is a very important crop to the livelihood of Tanzanians along the entire value chain . 
Sunflower seeds for oil extraction are generally recognizable by their bla ck colour, while seeds used 
for direct consumption are specific varieties often referred to as confectionary seeds, which are 
generally striped in appearance and larger in size, with lower oil content.  Sunflower seeds and their oil 
are good sources of fat , protein, fibre and vitamins, as well as certain minerals . 
This Tanzania Standard is intended to guide farmers/traders in achieving quality of sunflower  seed s 
required for  oil extraction in  internal and external market.  
In the preparation of this Standard  assistance was drawn from the following publication: IS 7798:1975, 
Grading for sunflower seeds for oil milling, pub lished by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).  
In reporting the results of a test or analysis made in accordance with this Tanzania Standar d, if the 
final value observed or calculated is to be rounded off, it shall be done in accordance with TZS 4.  
1 Scope  
 
This Tanzania Standard specifies requirements, sampling and test ing methods for sunflower 
(Helianthus annuus, L.) seeds intended for  oil extraction.  
 
2 Normative  references  
 
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this standard. For dated 
references , only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced 
document ( including any amendments) applies :  
              
Codex Stan 193 , General Standard for Contaminants and Toxins in Food and Feed  
TZS 4, Rounding off numerical values  
TZS 109, Food  processing units – Code of hygiene – General  
 
TZS 538, Packaging and labeling  of foods  
TZS 742, O leaginous seeds – Sampling   
TZS 799 ,  Foodstuffs – Determination of aflatoxin B1, and the total content of aflatoxins  B1, B2, G1 
and G2 in cereals, nuts and derived products – High-performance liquid chromatographic method  
TZS 1314  – 1, Oilseeds  – Determination of content of impurities  
TZS 1314  – 2, Oilseeds  – Determination of moisture and volatile matter content  
TZS 1314  – 3, Oilseeds  – Determination of oil content (Reference method)  
TZS 1314  – 4, Oilseeds  – Determ ination of acidity of oils 
3 Terms and d efinitions   
 
For the purposes of this Tanzania Standard, the following terms and definitions  shall apply:   
                                                                                                              AFDC 19  (1105)  DTZS  
                                                                                                               REV.TZS 1578:2012  
  
3.1 sunflower seeds  
seeds obtained from the sunflower (Helianthus annu us, L). plant  
 
3.2 foreign  matter  
any organic or inorganic matter other than sunflower seed, and includes loose and empty shells (hulls, 
husks)  
 
3.3 immature or shriveled seeds  
sunflower seeds that have indications of lack of maturity or full development . 
 
3.4 damaged seeds  
seeds that are damaged mechanically, or by mould or insects , or those showing internal discoloration 
of seeds materially affecting the ir quality . 
 
3.5 dehulled seeds (skinned)  
sunflower seeds that have the hull completely removed from the sunflower kernel . 
 
4. Requirements  
 
4.1 General requirem ents 
 
Sunflower seeds for oil extraction shall be:  
 
a) reasonably dry and uniform in size;  
b) free from other edible/non -edible seeds;  
c) free from foreign odours; and  
d) free from living and dead insects, moulds, mites, insect fragments, excrement and rodent 
contamin ation, insect fragments and  damage caused by insect pests visible to the naked eye.  
 
4.2 Specific requirements  
 
Sunflower  seeds for oil extraction shall comply with specific requirements given in Table 1 when 
tested in accordance with the methods specified  therein;  
 
Table 1- Specific requirements for sunflower seeds  for oil extraction  
 
S/N 
 Characteristic                          Requirement  Test methods  
 
Grade 1  Grade 2  Grade 3  
i) Moisture content,% (m/m) 
max.                               10   TZS 1314  – 2  
ii) Oil content on moisture free 
basis,%,(m/m),min.  42 36 30   TZS 1314 – 3  
iii) Acid value of extracted 
oil%(m/m), max.  2 3 3 
  TZS 1314 – 4  
iv) Foreign  matter, % (m/m), 
max,  1  1  2  TZS 1314 – 1  
v) Immature/shriveled, % (m/m), 
max.  1 2 2   TZS 1314 – 1  
vi) Damaged seeds % (m/m), 
max 1 1 2   TZS 1314 – 1  
vii) Dehulled seeds, % (m/m), 1 1 2    TZS 1314 – 1   
                                                                                                              AFDC 19  (1105)  DTZS  
                                                                                                               REV.TZS 1578:2012  
max.  
 
 
5 Contaminants  
 
5.1 Heavy m etal contaminats  
Sunflower  seed s for oil extraction shall comply with those maximum metal contamin ants st ipulated in 
TZS 3242  
 
5.2 Pesticide residues  
Sunflower  seed s for oil extraction shall comply with those maximum residue limits as established by 
Codex Alimentarius Commission online database for pesticide residues for this commodity  
 
5.3 Mycotoxin  
 
Sunflower  seeds for oil extraction shall conform to those maximum mycotoxin limits established by the 
Codex alimentarius Commission.   
 
5.3.1 Aflatoxin  
 
In particular aflatoxin level for sunflower seeds  for oil extraction  shall not exceed ma ximum limits a s 
given in Table 2  when tested in accordance with test method specified therein:  
 
                         Table 2 - Aflatoxins limits for sunflower  seeds  for oil extraction  
 
S/N Aflatoxins  Maximum limit  (µg/kg ) Method of test  
i) Total aflatoxin  (B1,B2,G1, G2) 10  TZS 799  
 ii) Aflatoxin B1  5  
 
6 Hygiene  
Sunflower  seed s for oil extraction shall be grown in accordance with Good Agricultural Practices, 
handled and stored in accordance with TZS 109.  
 
7 Sampling and methods of test ing 
7.1 Sampling  
 
Sampling of sunflower  seed s for oil extraction shall be done in accordance with TZS 742.  
 
7.2 Methods of test ing  
 
Sunflower  seed s for oil extraction shall be tested in accordance with the methods specified in this 
standard.  
 
8 Packing, Marking a nd Labeling  
8.1 Packing  
 
Sunflower  seeds  for oil extraction shall be packed in suitable food grade packaging materials which 
ensure that the saf ety and quality requirements specified in this standard are maintained throughout 
the shelf life of the product.  
 
8.2 Marking and labeling  
 
8.2.1  The product shall be marked and labeled in accordance with TZS 538 .   
                                                                                                              AFDC 19  (1105)  DTZS  
                                                                                                               REV.TZS 1578:2012  
 
8.2.2 In addition each c ontainer/packet of product shall be legibly and indelibly marked with the 
following information :  
 
a) Name of the product ;  
b) Grade  
c) Trade name or brand , if any;  
d) Name, address of the producer and/or seller ;  
e) Batch or lot  number;  
f) Date of packing;  
g) Net weight  in metric unit ; 
h) Country of origin;  
i) Year of harvest  
 
8.2.2  Language on the label shall be in Kiswahili or Kiswahili and English. A dditional language may be 
used depe nding on the designated market.  
 
8.2.3  The containers may also be marked with the TBS Standards Mark of Quality.  
 
NOTE – The TBS Standards Mark of Quality shall be used by the manufacturers only under licence from TBS. 
Particulars of condi tions under which the licences are granted, may be obtained from TBS.  
9 Storage and T ransportation  
9.1 Storage  
Sunflower  seed s for oil extraction shall be stored in dry and  well ventilated environment and stacked 
on pallets to avoid moisture ingres s. Th ey shall be stored in leak -proof warehouses. Warehouses shall 
be free from pest s.   
9.2 Transportation  
Sunflower  seed s for oil extraction shall be transported in well secured wagons/containers/trucks to 
avoid contamination, loss and spoilage