,"The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has launched the Nigerian Industrial Standard DNIS 1227:2025, establishing rigorous quality, safety, and labeling requirements for coconut oil used in African Traditional Medicine (ATM). This first edition standard covers both virgin coconut oil (VCO) and refined coconut oil (RBD) derived from Cocus nucifera L. kernels.
Coconut oil is valued for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties, making it a staple in traditional remedies for skin conditions, wounds, digestive health, and immune support. The new standard sets numerical thresholds for critical quality parameters to ensure consumer safety and product efficacy.
Key quality values prescribed include:
Free Fatty Acids: Maximum 0.5% for virgin coconut oil and 0.1% for refined oil
Peroxide Value: Up to 5.0 meq O2/kg in VCO and 3.0 in RBD
Moisture and Volatile Matter: Up to 0.2% for both oil types
Iodine Value: 7 to 11 g I2/100g oil
Saponification Value: 250 to 265 mg KOH/g oil
Unsaponifiable Matter: Maximum 1.5%
Specific Gravity at 25°C: 0.915 to 0.920
Refractive Index at 40°C: 1.448 to 1.450
Heavy metal contamination limits ensure product safety:
Lead (Pb) max 0.1 mg/kg
Cadmium (Cd) max 0.03 mg/kg
Arsenic (As) max 0.1 mg/kg
Mercury (Hg) max 0.1 mg/kg
Microbial safety is mandated with maximum total plate count at 10^3 CFU/g or ml and yeasts and molds limited to 10^2 CFU/g or ml. Presence of coliform bacteria and Salmonella is strictly prohibited.
The standard also supports optional vitamin A fortification with a cap at 25,000 IU/kg to enhance nutritional value.
Packaging is required to use food-grade airtight containers preserving the oil’s integrity, with clear labels detailing origin, batch, and certification information for traceability and consumer assurance.
This standard harmonizes Nigeria’s traditional medicine coconut oil production with global quality benchmarks, enhancing marketability locally and internationally, while safeguarding public health through science-based regulation.
This news highlights the detailed quality and safety limits mandated by SON for coconut oil in traditional medicine, emphasizing Nigeria’s commitment to product excellence and consumer protection.
Heavy metal contamination limits ensure product safety:
- Lead (Pb) max 0.1 mg/kg
- Cadmium (Cd) max 0.03 mg/kg
- Arsenic (As) max 0.1 mg/kg
- Mercury (Hg) max 0.1 mg/kg
Microbial safety is mandated with maximum total plate count at 10^3 CFU/g or ml and yeasts and molds limited to 10^2 CFU/g or ml. Presence of coliform bacteria and Salmonella is strictly prohibited."