The EU will review the health risks of Mineral Oil Hydrocarbons (MOH) used for food contact material additives.The submission re-evaluated the toxicity of MOH, dietary exposure of European citizens and the final assessment of health risks for the EU population.
MOH is a kind of extremely complex chemical mixture, which is produced by the physical separation and chemical conversion of petroleum and crude oil, or coal, natural gas or biomass liquefaction process.It mainly includes saturated hydrocarbon mineral oil composed of straight chain, branched chain and ring, and aromatic hydrocarbon mineral oil composed of polyaromatic compounds.
MOH is used as an additive contained in many different types of food contact materials, such as plastics, adhesives, rubber products, cardboard, printing inks. MOH is also used as a lubricant, cleaner, or non-adhesive during food processing or manufacturing of food contact materials.
MOH is able to migrate into food from food contact materials and food packaging regardless of intentional addition or not. MOH mainly pollutes food through food packaging, food processing equipment and food additives. Among them, food packages made of recycled paper and cardboard usually contain large substances due to the use of non-food grade newspaper ink.
The EFSA states that MOAH has a risk of cell destruction and carcinogenesis. In addition, the lack of toxicity of some MOAH substances is better understood, worrying about their possible negative impact on human health.
MOSH has not been identified for health problems, according to the Food Chain Contants Science Expert Group (CONTAM Panel). Although the experiments performed in rats showed their adverse effects, it was concluded that the specific rat species is not a suitable sample to test for human health problems.
Over the past few years, the European Commission (EC) and civil society groups have been closely monitoring the MOH in EU food packaging. The European Commission urged the EFSA to retest the health risks associated with MOH and to take into account relevant studies published since the 2012 assessment.
Post time: Jul-03-2023