Analysis of mineral oils (MOSH/ MOAH)

Mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) can enter food commodities and processed products anywhere along the food processing and trade chain. At Eurofins Food & Feed Testing, we support you to ensure that your products are free from harmful levels of MOH, especially toxicologically relevant 3-7 ring MOAH, so you can meet regulatory requirements and maintain consumer trust.

Key services

  • Quantitative analysis of mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) using advanced online liquid chromatography-gas chromatography with flame ionisation detection (online LC-GC-FID)
  • Mass spectrometric characterisation of MOSH and MOAH fractions using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC×GC-ToF-MS) to help determine the source of contamination
  • Quantification of the tri- to polyaromatic fraction (TPAF) of MOAH using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with flame ionisation detection (GC×GC-FID), supporting toxicological assessment and confirmation of positive MOAH findings
  • Characterisation of MOSH and MOAH profiles to distinguish between technical and naturally occurring hydrocarbons
  • Screening of raw materials, intermediates, and finished products, including both raw ingredients and processed foods
  • Verification of contamination sources, including migration from packaging materials and environmental exposure
  • Support for product recalls and crisis management, including rapid turnaround times and expert interpretation of results
  • Customised reporting and regulatory guidance to support compliance in national and international markets

Additional services

Beyond standard testing, Eurofins Food & Feed Testing also offers:

  • Consulting on mitigation strategies, including packaging optimisation and supplier audits
  • Trend monitoring and batch comparison for quality assurance and long-term safety evaluations
  • Participation in research and regulatory development, ensuring our methods remain at the forefront of scientific and legislative standards

Your Competence Centre for organic contaminants

Eurofins Food & Feed Testing India offers comprehensive analysis of organic contaminants, supported by the expertise and global capabilities of the Eurofins Food & Feed Testing network. Our experts have extensive experience in the analysis of mineral oil hydrocarbons in food matrices. Advanced analytical techniques enable the separate quantification of MOSH, polyolefin oligomeric saturated hydrocarbons (POSH), polyalphaolefins (PAO), and MOAH within a single chromatographic run. Additional liquid chromatography – gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (LC-GC-MS) methods enable the qualitative characterisation of mineral oil hydrocarbons, helping to identify potential sources of contamination.

Legal bases and guidelines

Get in touch

Would you like to find out more about our testing solutions, or do you need tailored analytical support? Contact us today to get in touch with our experts.

Contact us