What are mineral oil contaminants in food?
Mineral oils are a broad category of petroleum-derived chemicals that can be found in food through unintentional contamination or as residues from production processes. There are two main types of these contaminants: MOSH (Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons) and MOAH (Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons).
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MOAHs (Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons), or aromatic mineral hydrocarbons, contain aromatic rings that can be more reactive and potentially harmful. MOAHs are considered to have possible carcinogenic properties, so their presence in food is of particular concern.
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MOSH (Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons) are saturated mineral hydrocarbons that are relatively chemically stable. They can accumulate in the human body, mainly in the liver, which can lead to long-term health problems.
Sources of MOSH and MOAH contamination in food
Mineral oils can enter food in a number of ways, and one of the most common sources is contact between food and packaging. Packaging made from recycled materials, such as paper and cardboard, often contains printing inks and other substances that can be rich in mineral oils.
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Recycled packaging: Many of these materials come from recycled newspapers, which are printed with inks containing mineral oils. These oils can easily migrate from the packaging into food products, especially if the food is oily or greasy, which promotes the dissolution and absorption of these substances.
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Production processes and storage: In addition to packaging, mineral oils can come from machinery and equipment used in production processes where mineral oil-based lubricants are commonly used. Similarly, contamination can come from the air in storage areas, where dusts and sediments can contain mineral oils.
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On-site contamination: It is also conceivable that contamination will occur while still in agricultural cultivation, as a result of uncontrolled environmental pollution
In order to reduce the risks associated with the presence of MOSH and MOAH in food, manufacturers, including spices, need to start testing their products to understand whether the contamination may already originate from the countries that supply spices to Europe. In parallel, packaging manufacturers should be expected to test to confirm that MOSH and MOAH contamination will not occur in the packaging they supply. It is possible to imagine a scenario in which food from a non-EU country of origin meets the MOAH limits, but contamination from the packaging occurs after the packaging process.
Current limits and EFSA recommendations
Currently, there are no approved and legal limits for MOAH (Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons) in food in the European Union, although they are being intensively discussed and prepared for introduction. It is expected that in the second half of 2024 or early 2025, the European Commission will adopt appropriate regulations setting maximum allowable levels for MOAH in food, based on previously agreed LOQ (Limits of Quantification) values. Currently, only LOQ values are used as a guideline for food safety controls, but this is not equivalent to legally binding limits(AGRinfo) (Keller and Heckman)(FI Global).
It is noteworthy that the discussions on setting limits mainly concern MOAH due to their potential genotoxicity and carcinogenicity. MOSHs (Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons), although also being monitored, will not be the subject of new regulations in 2024, as the current scientific evidence points to lower health risks associated with these substances(AGRinfo).
Food businesses across Europe and third country suppliers should be prepared for the introduction of these new regulations and tighter controls, which may require them to implement more stringent testing and quality verification procedures for raw materials and finished products(AGRinfo)(FI Global).
EFSA (the European Food Safety Authority) examines and updates its guidelines on food contamination with mineral oils on a regular basis. For MOAH, known for its potential carcinogenic properties, the following recommendations have been introduced:
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0.5 mg/kg for dry foods with low fat content (≤ 4% fat/oil),
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1 mg/kg for products with a higher fat/oil content (> 4% to ≤ 50% fat/oil),
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2 mg/kg for fats and oils and foods with fat/oil content > 50%.
For MOSH, which can accumulate in the human body, EFSA is still conducting research to set specific limits. However, it recommends monitoring their levels in food and further research into their potential long-term health effects.
Impact of MOAH and MOSH on the spice market in the EU
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Regulatory compliance: Spice manufacturers and distributors will need to ensure that their products meet the new LOQs for MOAH, which may involve strengthening quality control processes or adjusting sources and production practices.
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Product testing and certification: Increased testing for MOAH in spices and other food products may become standard practice, potentially increasing costs but also ensuring product safety and compliance with EU regulations.
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Supply chain control: Increased control of the supply chain is likely to occur, particularly with regard to the origin of ingredients and the market impact of spices in the EU (continued)
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Supply chain control: Increased supply chain control is likely to take place, particularly with regard to the origin of ingredients and the packaging materials, additives or lubricants used, which may introduce MOAH into spices.
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Product recalls and recall calls: The requirement to recall products exceeding MOAH limits underlines the seriousness of these regulations. Spice companies will need to put in place robust monitoring systems and rapid response strategies to manage such risks.
The European Commission continues to work on establishing and implementing regulations to ensure food safety and protect consumer health. For manufacturers of spices and other food products, this sends a signal to continuously review and adapt their production practices in response to evolving standards to protect public health.
As a spice manufacturer, what steps is Mr Cook taking to deliver products that comply with MOAH and MOSH requirements?
As of the date of writing this article (June 2024), we already have the first test results for the vanilla we import from Uganda as well as Madagascar. No MOAH was detected in them, this was important for us because the first warning in the RASFF regarding MOAH in spices was specifically about vanilla. We learned from the exporters of vanilla from Madagascar that the contamination came from the packaging in which the vanilla was stored.
For spices we already buy in Europe, we will expect validation tests from suppliers, and in cases of increased risk (such as RASFF notification of a product), we will in parallel expect test results from the importer and conduct our own laboratory analyses.
In addition, we are re-verifying our packaging suppliers to ensure that they are aware of the risks associated with mineral oil contamination.
Summary
With increasing concerns about food safety, it is becoming particularly important to understand and manage the risks associated with mineral oils in food products. Compounds such as MOSH and MOAH, derived from mineral oils, are under particular scrutiny by the European Commission and EFSA due to their potentially harmful health properties, including carcinogenic potential.
The introduction and enforcement of regulations on maximum levels of these substances in food will have a significant impact on the food industry, including the spice market in the EU. Producers will need to adapt their production practices, which will involve a greater emphasis on quality control, product testing and working closely with packaging and raw material suppliers. This will also translate into the cost of food in the EU, more difficult access to certain products (food exporters will prefer trading partners from countries with less stringent regulatory requirements).
Ultimately, the industry's ability to adapt in response to these regulations will determine its long-term success and sustainability.
