MOAH and MOSH testing
How it affects / Why you need to eliminate it?
Mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) comprise a wide range of chemical compounds obtained mainly from petroleum distillation and refining. They are categorised into two main groups referred to as MOSH (Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons) and MOAH (Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons).
MOH can enter food in many ways - through environmental contamination, use of lubricants for machinery, release agents, processing aids, food or feed additives and migration from food contact materials.
They have been found in a variety of foods, which typically contain higher levels of MOSH levels than MOAH. The highest levels of MOH were found in vegetable oils and the highest exposure is estimated for young people and infants who have been fed exclusively with infant formula containing high levels of MOSH.
The potential human health impact of MOH varies widely. MOAH may act as genotoxic carcinogens (they can damage DNA, the genetic material of cells, and may cause cancer), while some MOSH are known to accumulate in the liver and lymphoid system.
What we can do / How we can support you?
| In April 2022, the EU Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed released a statement wherein member states agreed to withdraw and, if necessary, recall products when the sum of the concentrations of MOAH in food reached or exceeded the following maximum limits of quantification (LOQs): 0.5 mg/kg for dry foods with a low fat/oil content (≤4% fat/oil); 1 mg/kg for foods with a higher fat/oil content (>4% fat/oil); and 2 mg/kg for fats/oils. |
Mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) comprise a wide range of chemical compounds obtained mainly from petroleum distillation and refining. They are categorised into two main groups referred to as MOSH (Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons) and MOAH (Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons). MOH can enter food in many ways - through environmental contamination, use of lubricants for machinery, release agents, processing aids, food or feed additives and migration from food contact materials. The potential human health impact of MOH varies widely. MOAH may act as genotoxic carcinogens (they can damage DNA, the genetic material of cells, and may cause cancer), while some MOSH are known to accumulate in the liver and lymphoid system.
Analysis of mineral oil hydrocarbons
Eurofins Food & Feed Testing have long-term experience with the analysis, evaluation and assessment of mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOSH, POSH, PAO, MOAH) in various food matrices by means of online-LC-GC-FID. In addition to online-LC-GC-FID analysis of mineral oils in food, we also offer mass spectrometric characterization of mineral oil contaminations to provide customers with additional support in identifying potential sources of contamination.
Contact
For more information please contact your local Eurofins laboratory.