Europe Establishes MOAH Limits in Food Effective Immediately

The European Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed published a joint declaration establishing limits on the presence of mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons in food (MOAH), the FoodNavigator reported on May 24. 

Instead of opting for maximum limits, the Committee has outlined stricter limits of quantification (LOQ), separating food categories into three levels.  For dry foods with a low fat/oil content of equal to or less than 4% - 0.5mg/kg of MOAH is permitted; for foods with higher fat/oil content of more than 4% - 1mg/kg of MOAH is permitted; and for fats and oils - 2mg/kg of MOAH is allowed.  The new levels which take effect immediately, however, are not legally binding.  It is up to Member States to enforce the new requirements.  

The declaration follows a campaign by consumer organization foodwatch urging the Commission to establish legally binding limits for MOAH in food products. The watchdog claims MOAH are toxic contaminants suspected to be carcinogenic and genotoxic and as such, takes a zero-tolerance stance, deeming ‘any detectable presence’ in a food product ‘unacceptable’.  The Commission had decided not to wait for the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) opinion which is expected later this year. Thus, as of May 17, all food products in Europe must abide by the new LOQ