Detail

Update: MOSH-MOAH

Mineral oils are complex mixtures of hydrocarbons (C10 - C50), which are mainly derived from fossil sources. In addition to mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH), mineral oils of technical quality also consist, in contrast to food grade mineral oils, of aromatic components (MOAH). The MOAH fraction is a complex mixture of substances with varying and largely unknown toxicity.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a draft scientific opinion on the risk assessment of mineral oil hydrocarbons in March 2023.

The conclusion for MOSH was, that dietary exposure was not of concern for any age group. In contrast to this, a basic human health concern was expressed for MOAH. For a further assessment, more data needs to be collected.

The following analytical limits of quantification (LOQ) were given as guidance values by the EFSA for MOAH (C10 - C50):

Dry foods with a low fat content up to 4% fat/oil: 0.5 mg/kg.

Foods with a higher fat content of more than 4% - 50% fat/oil: 1 mg/kg.

Fats/oils or foods with more than 50 % fat/oil: 2 mg/kg

Foods with MOAH levels above these defined LOQs are to be withdrawn or removed from the market, according to the EFSA draft. The limits of quantification must be applied to the ready-to-sell products, regardless of the MOAH source.

Our method used for this purpose (DIN EN 16995 - 2017-08) is an online LC/GC-FID analysis, which meets the performance criteria of the analytic regarding the EFSA requirements. In addition to that, our experience in the analysis, evaluation, and assessment of mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOSH, POSH, PAO, MOAH) in different food matrices supports you in the clarification of possible contamination sources.

Stellungnahme der Europäischen Kommission: Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed  Section Novel Food and Toxicological Safety of the Food Chain, 19 October 2022 – A.03 Clarifications on the joint statement of 21 April 2022 of the Member States regarding the presence of Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH) in food, including food for infants and young children

Stellungnahme der Europäischen Kommission: Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed Section Novel Food and Toxicological Safety of the Food Chain – A.01 Mineral oil hydrocarbons in food: follow-up to the December 2021 Foodwatch report, 2022

Bratinova, S. and Hoekstra, E., Guidance on sampling, analysis and data reporting for the monitoring of mineral oil hydrocarbons in food and food contact materials, EUR 29666 EN, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2019, ISBN 978-92-76-00172-0, doi:10.2760/208879, JRC115694.