The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has found glycerol-based process contaminants in palm oil, in addition to other vegetable oils, margarines, and some processed foods. The agency assessed the risks for public health of the substances glycidyl fatty acid esters (GE), 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD) and 2-monochloropropanediol (2-MCPD) and their fatty acid esters. The substances form during food processing, in particular, when refining vegetable oils at high temperatures.
The agency found the highest levels of GE, as well as 3-MCPD and 2-MCPD (including esters), in palm oils and palm fats, followed by other oils and fats. EFSA’s expert Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) considered information on the toxicity of glycidol (the parent compound of GE) for its risk assessment of GE, assuming a complete conversion of the esters into glycidol following ingestion. “There is sufficient evidence that glycidol is genotoxic and carcinogenic, therefore the CONTAM Panel did not set a safe level for GE,” said Helle Knutsen, chair of the CONTAM Panel.
When assessing genotoxic and carcinogenic substances that are unintentionally present in the food chain, EFSA calculates a “margin of exposure” for consumers. In general, the higher the margin of exposure is, the lower the level of concern for consumers. The Panel concluded that GE is a potential health concern for all younger age groups with average exposures, and for consumers with high exposure in all age groups.
In addition, the Panel set a tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 0.8 micrograms per kilogram of body weight per day (µg/kg bw/day) for 3-MCPD and its fatty acid esters based on evidence linking this substance to organ damage in animal tests. However, they noted that the toxicological information is too limited to set a safe level for 2-MCPD.
Palm oil is a major contributor to 3-MCPD and 2-MCPD exposure for most individuals. Levels of 3-MCPD and its fatty acid esters in vegetable oils were largely unchanged over the last five years.
This risk assessment will inform risk managers in the European Commission and Member States who regulate EU food safety. They will use EFSA’s scientific advice to consider how to manage the potential risks for consumers from exposure to these substances in food. The Panel has also made several recommendations for further research to fill data gaps and improve the knowledge on the toxicity of these substances, particularly 2-MCPD, and on consumer exposure to them through food.
