Spanish OCU targets Mineral Oils in Foods

The likes of MOSH (mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons with lengths of 15-35 carbon atoms) and MOAH (mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons) in foods have been for a long time on the radar of German-speaking countries. Driven by scientists from the Official Food Control Authority in Zurich, Switzerland, the presence of mineral oil contamination in foods was already demonstrated in 1989. It took several decades to also being investigated by Germany and Austria. In 2012, a study by the German consumer protection organization Stiftung Warentest published right before the sales of chocolate-filled advent calendars spoiled the sales, as several well-known brands showed high concentrations of mineral oils. According to Stiftung Warentest, the chocolate of brands like Arko , Confiserie Heilemann and Rausch contained excessive amounts of mineral oils.

Driven by significant public attention, EFSA evaluated the exposure to mineral oils in foods of the European population, and found:

“Estimated MOSH exposure ranged from 0.03 to 0.3 mg/kg b.w. per day, with higher exposure in children. Specific production practices of bread and grains may provide additional MOSH exposure.” The EFSA panel concluded: “Hence, background exposure to MOSH via food in Europe was considered of potential concern. Foodborne MOAH with three or more, non- or simple-alkylated, aromatic rings may be mutagenic and carcinogenic, and therefore of potential concern.” In January 2017, the European Commission issued a monitoring recommendation for mineral oils in food products.

In its current issue, the Spanish Consumer Advocacy group OCU published its findings on

(C) FOCOS 2018

Spanish food products, several of which are well-known brands, including Nestlé, Lindt, Quaker, Dr. Oetker

On the positive side, OCU report that that most of the private-label brands of rice in Spanish supermarkets do not contain any detectable amounts of mineral oils.These include products from Alcampo (Auchan), Carrefour, El Corte Ingles and Campo Largo (Lidl).

Some mineral oil residues were found in a number of chocolates, including brand names like Lindt.

High levels of mineral oil residues were found in cereals of Quaker Oats and pasta of the Agnesi brand.

On the governmental side, there were also interesting developments since the Belgian Agency for Safety in the food chain (FASFC) published already in 2017 a list of action levels with respect to MOSH contamination in various food products. These include the following action limits:

• Cereals and cereal products: 15 mg/kg
• Eggs and egg products: 150 mg/kg
• Milk and milk products: 5mg/kg
• Animal and plant-derived oils: 100mg/kg
• Sugar and confectionary: 30 mg/kg

And the time for chocolate Easter bunnies is just around the corner.