EFSA publishes scientific opinion on mineral oil hydrocarbons

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a Scientific Opinion on Mineral Oil Hydrocarbons (MOH) in food.

Derived from crude oil or produced synthetically from coal, natural gas and biomass, MOH comprise a group of mixtures of hydrocarbons containing thousands of chemical compounds of different structures and size. For most MOH mixtures, the chemical compound is unknown and varies from batch to batch. Specifications are often expressed in terms of viscosity rather than in terms of chemical composition.

‘Aromatic’ MOH may act as a genotoxic carcinogen, damaging DNA and causing cancer. ‘Saturated’ MOH can accumulate in human tissue and may have an adverse impact on the liver.

Dietary exposure to MOH usually happens through food packaging materials, food additives, processing aids and environmental contaminants such as lubricants. The EFSA’s Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) identified low levels of saturated MOH in food, with some high levels in bread and grains for human consumption. In bread products, MOH are used as release or non-sticking agents; in grains, MOH are used as spraying agents to make the grains shiny. In dry foods like pudding dessert mixes and noodles, both saturated and aromatic MOH are present, partly due to the use of recycled cardboard packaging.

The EFSA found that younger consumers, rather than adults and the elderly, experienced higher exposure to saturated MOH through diet. CONTAM concluded that consumers who are brand loyal or who frequently buy the same food product from the same shop may be exposed on a regular basis to food with higher levels of MOH.

The EFSA scientific opinion suggested that the temporary group ADI (acceptable daily intake) of some low- and medium-viscosity MOH intended for food use be revised, but said the revision of ADIs for high-viscosity MOH is a low priority.

The publication also makes recommendations for improving methods of analysis and data collection and monitoring, as well as indications for possible future priorities of scientific research on MOH.