foodwatch on EFSA‘s opinion on mineral oil in food: “We need a zero-tolerance policy for dangerous mineral oils!”

Regarding EFSA‘s draft scientific opinion on the risk assessment of mineral oil hydrocarbons in food, Rauna Bindewald from the European consumer organization foodwatch, explains: 

“foodwatch welcomes the fact that EFSA has undertaken a reassessment of the dangers of mineral oil. The EFSA opinion clearly shows: There is still a lack of data, so that a full risk assessment is not possible at the present time. For that reason, the precautionary principle must be applied. To protect 450 million European consumers, we need a zero-tolerance policy for the particularly dangerous ‘aromatic mineral oils’ in food (MOAH). The level of saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) in food should be as low as reasonably achievable.”

+++ full foodwatch-Statement on EFSA’s draft opinion +++ 

More information:
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a draft scientific opinion on the update of the risk assessment of mineral oil hydrocarbons in food (Public Consultation Number PC-0400). EFSA states that mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) may be carcinogenic and genotoxic. While EFSA did not make a definitive conclusion on whether mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) are dangerous for human consumption or not, the opinion raises concerns about the potential health risks associated with the consumption of MOSH, particularly in terms of their potential to accumulate in the body over time. (More information: here)