Fatty acid composition as a basis for identification of commercial fats and oils

Gas liquid chromatographic analyses of 200 samples of commercial fats and oils were compared to the standard ranges specified by the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization Codex Alimentarius Committee on Fats and Oils at its seventh session, London, England, March 25, 1974. Only six samples fell notably outside the standard ranges. On the basis of this information, the U.S. delegation is offering for consideration by the Committee at its next meeting a method for using the fatty acid composition of a fat or oil to determine its authenticity.