The topic of mineral oil migration into and through food packaging covers various aspects, including scientific principles, sources of contamination, analytical methods, toxicological assessments and regulatory developments. We have summarised the essentials for you here based on our popular web seminar.
Scientific foundations
Mineral oil hydrocarbons are divided into two main groups: MOSH (Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons) and MOAH (Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons). MOSH consist of saturated hydrocarbons, while MOAH contain aromatic hydrocarbons. These substances differ in their chemical structure and their potential health effects.
Historical development and current challenges
The debate about mineral oil in food has been going on since the 1990s, but has become increasingly important in recent years. One well-known example is the Advent calendar scandal of 2009, in which mineral oil was found in chocolate. This led to increased attention and research in this area.
Sources of contamination
The main sources of mineral oil contamination are cardboard boxes and other packaging materials containing recycled waste paper, as well as contamination of food by agricultural machinery, unsuitable transport or processing methods and accumulation along the food chain.
Analytical methods
Various analytical methods are used to determine MOSH and MOAH in food and packaging. These methods include extracting the substances from the material and analysing them using chromatographic techniques. Separating and analysing these substances poses technical challenges, particularly in distinguishing between MOSH and MOAH.
Toxicological evaluation
The toxicological assessment of MOSH and MOAH shows that these substances can be potentially harmful to health. Studies have shown that MOSH can accumulate in tissues and form granulomas , which may harbour health risks. MOAHs, especially those with three or more aromatic rings, are known to be carcinogenic.
Regulatory developments
Current regulatory developments include new EU limits and national regulations to limit mineral oil in food and packaging. These regulations aim to minimise consumer exposure to these substances and ensure food safety.
The EU Commission has presented a draft to include maximum levels of aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) in the European Contaminants Regulation (Regulation 2023/915). This regulation aims to regulate the levels of MOAH in different types of food, especially in foods with a high fat content.Current regulatory developments include new EU limits and national regulations to limit mineral oil in food and packaging. These regulations aim to minimise consumer exposure to these substances and ensure food safety.
The EU Commission has presented a draft to include maximum levels of aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) in the European Contaminants Regulation (Regulation 2023/915). This regulation aims to regulate the levels of MOAH in different types of food, especially in foods with a high fat content.
Guidance values
In April 2022 and October 2022, the Standing Committee on Plants, Animal, Food and Feed (SC PFAFF) published guidelines on what is specifically meant by the “non-detectable” requirement and how to deal with food in which MOAH has been found. Accordingly, all foods should be removed from the market if the MOAH content exceeds the following limits of determination:
- 0.5 mg/kg dry food with low fat/oil content (≤ 4%)
- 1 mg/kg food with higher fat/oil content (> 4% and ≤ 50%)
- 2 mg/kg Food with a fat/oil content > 50%
For solvents containing MOSH with carbon chain lengths from C10 to C16 and from C16 to C20, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has derived a guideline value for the transfer to food of 12 mg/kg food or 4 mg/kg food.
Practical aspects and test strategies
To ensure food safety and compliance with legal requirements, test strategies are required to check the barrier effect of packaging against MOSH and MOAH. This includes analysing the specific migration of mineral oils from packaging materials into food.
This comprehensive consideration of mineral oil migration into food shows the complexity and the need for further research and regulatory measures to ensure food safety. What is certain is that modern barrier films can reliably keep mosh and moah out of packaged foods.
If you have any questions on this topic, please contact Heike Schwertke.