Update of the risk assessment of mineral oil hydrocarbons in food

Abstract

Mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) are composed of saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH). Due to the complexity of the MOH composition, their complete chemical characterisation is not possible. MOSH accumulation is observed in various tissues, with speciesspecific differences. Formation of liver epithelioid lipogranulomas and inflammation, as well as increased liver and spleen weights, are observed in Fischer 344 (F344) rats, but not in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. These effects are related to specific accumulation of wax components in the liver of F344 rats, which is not observed in SD rats or humans. The CONTAM Panel concluded that F344 rats are not an appropriate model for effects of MOSH with wax components. A NOAEL of 236 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day, corresponding to the highest tested dose in F344 rats of a white mineral oil product virtually free of wax components, was selected as relevant reference point (RP). The highest dietary exposure to MOSH was estimated for the young population, with lower bound-upper bound (LB-UB) means and 95th percentiles of 0.085-0.126 and 0.157-0.212 mg/kg bw per day, respectively. Considering a margin of exposure approach, the Panel concluded that the present dietary exposure to MOSH does not raise concern for human health for all age classes. Genotoxicity and carcinogenicity are associated with MOAH with three or more aromatic rings. For this subfraction, a surrogate RP of 0.49 mg/kg bw per day, calculated from data on eight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, was considered. The highest dietary exposure to MOAH was also in the young population, with LB-UB mean and 95th percentile estimations of 0.003-0.031 and 0.011-0.059 mg/kg bw per day, respectively. Based on two scenarios on three or more ring MOAH contents in the diet and lacking toxicological information on effects of 1 and 2 ring MOAH, a possible concern for human health was raised.

Investigation of potential migratables from paper and board food contact materials

“…Overall, the results brought to light potential concerns for consumers for bisphenol A, 3.3′DMB, and mineral oil hydrocarbons and this for several sample categories. According to the latest opinion of the EFSA panel on MOH, higher exposure was highlighted for children ( Schrenk et al, 2023 ). The same trend is only highlighted for one sample (a straw) regarding MOSH.…”

“…The same trend is only highlighted for one sample (a straw) regarding MOSH. The Panel concluded that the present dietary exposure to MOSH does not raise concern for human health for all population categories considering a margin of exposure approach ( Schrenk et al, 2023 ). Except for one straw, this statement is in accordance with the conclusion of the EFSA Panel.…”

“…Regarding MOAH, two scenarios were considered in accordance with the latest scientific opinion ( Schrenk et al, 2023 ). These two scenarios consider the BMDL10 of 0.49 mg kg -1 bw per day, with average contents of 10% or 1% of 3- or more ring MOAH within the MOAH fraction, since this sub-fraction is considered the most toxic ( Schrenk et al, 2023 ). When it is considered that the result obtained contains 10% MOAH with 3 rings or more, 10 categories of samples out of 12 are a potential risk for consumers.…”

“…Mineral oil hydrocarbons are since few years of great concern. They can either contaminate food due to the use of lubricants for machinery, through environmental contamination, migration from food contact materials etc ( Schrenk et al, 2023 ).…”

A Study on Mineral Oil Hydrocarbons (MOH) Contamination in Pig Diets and Its Transfer to Back Fat and Loin Tissues

“…The first group contains mineral oil-saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH), comprising paraffins (linear and branched alkanes) and naphthenes (alkyl-substituted cyclo-alkanes), whereas the second group contains mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH), which include mono-or polyaromatic compounds with a high Animals 2024, 14, 1450 2 of 16 alkylation degree [1]. Currently, the information available about MOH toxicity is still controversial, but the evidence suggests that MOSH can accumulate in human organs and tissues, and some MOAH can show carcinogenic, genotoxic, and, mutagenic behavior, particularly polyaromatic species with three to seven rings [2][3][4].…”