All at a glance: Environmental contaminants in edible oils and fats
Overview on EU-maximum levels for PAHs, dioxins and PCBs
As of: May 2023
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) form a class of diverse lipophilic organic contaminants that can be formed and released into the environment by a variety of combustion and pyrolysis processes. PAHs may enter the food chain by numerous natural and anthropogenic sources in the environment but they may also be formed by industrial food processing methods (e.g. heating, roasting, drying and smoking processes that allow combustion products to come into direct contact with food). A number of PAHs are genotoxic carcinogens. For this reason the Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) recommended in 2002 that the exposure to PAHs should be as low as reasonably achievable. Therefore the EU has implemented maximum levels for PAHs in different food commodities.
Dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
Dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals that persist in the environment and accumulate in the food chain. The term “dioxins” refers to two groups of lipophilic organic compounds: Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs). Dioxins have no technological or other use, but are generated in a number of thermal and industrial processes as unwanted and often unavoidable by-products. PCBs had widespread use in numerous industrial applications, and were produced in large quantities for several decades, until they were banned in most countries by the 1980s. Maximum levels for dioxins and later also PCBs in different food commodities were issued by the EU since 2001.
Edible oils and fats
Edible oils and fats are an important source of energy and carrier of important (essential) nutrients like lipid soluble vitamins and essential fatty acids. They improve the mouthfeel of food and are also the carrier for flavours. Fruits and seeds of various plants are the source of a huge variety of vegetable oils and fats. But also fat of animal origin (butter, lard, tallow or marine oils) is used for human consumption. The large range of products offers various possibilities for the use in preparing meals: frying, roasting, baking, deep frying or for dressings.
EU maximum levels for PAHs, dioxins and PCBs in edible oils and fats
The following table 1 provides an overview on EU maximum levels for PAHs, dioxins and PCBs in edible oils and fats according to Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 (Contaminants-Regulation) of 25 April 2023 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food in is actual version:
| Foodstuffs (intended for direct human consumption or use as an ingredient for food) |
Sum of PAH4* | Benzo(a)-pyrene | Sum of dioxins (WHO(2005)- PCDD/F-TEQ, upperbound) |
Sum of dioxins and DL-PCBs (WHO(2005)- PCDD/F+PCB-TEQ, upperbound) |
Sum of NDL-PCBs (upperbound) |
| Vegetable oils and fats, except: | 10.0 µg/kg | 2.0 µg/kg | 0.75 pg/g fat | 1.25 pg/g fat | 40 ng/g fat |
| - cocoa butter | 30.0 µg/kg | 5.0 µg/kg | |||
| - coconut oil | 20.0 µg/kg | 2.0 µg/kg | |||
| Fat of the following animals: | 10.0 µg/kg | 2.0 µg/kg | |||
| - bovine animals and sheep | 2.5 pg/g fat | 4.0 pg/g fat | 40 ng/g fat | ||
| - poultry | 1.75 pg/g fat | 3.0 pg/g fat | 40 ng/g fat | ||
| - pigs | 1.0 pg/g fat | 1.25 pg/g fat | 40 ng/g fat | ||
| Mixed animal fats | 10.0 µg/kg | 2.0 µg/kg | 1.5 pg/g fat | 2.50 pg/g fat | 40 ng/g fat |
| Marine oils | 10.0 µg/kg | 2.0 µg/kg | 1.75 pg/g fat | 6.0 pg/g fat | 200 ng/g fat |
* Sum of benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(b)fluoranthene and chrysene
Table 1: EU-Maximum levels for glycidyl esters, PAHs, dioxins and PCBs in edible oils and fats according to Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 of 25 April 2023 on maximum levels for certain contaminants in food in is actual version
Analytical skills at Eurofins
The Competence Centres of Eurofins Food & Feed Testing laboratories in Germany for the analysis of organic contaminants, Eurofins WEJ Contaminants GmbH, as well as the analysis of dioxins and PCB, Eurofins GfA Lab Service GmbH, are specialists in analysing PAHs and, within a short time, dioxins und PCBs in edible oils and fats – in line with EU requirements and with high quality standards.
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Written by:
Stefanie Merkmann
Eurofins WEJ Contaminants GmbH
Nina Lohmann
Eurofins GfA Lab Service GmbH