Mitigation of MCPDEs, glycidyl esters (GE) and MOSH/MOAH in edible oils – latest process and technology solutions
Antonios Papastergiadis, Senior R&D Engineer and Laboratory Manager, Desmet

Food safety is undisputable one of the most important aspects of food industry and oils and fats being main ingredients in most processed foods are closely monitored to ensure they are not contaminated with harmful substances. Contaminants, regardless their origin (environmental or process), cannot exceed certain limits and this can only be achieved through effective mitigation measures which often include selection of the right processes and technologies.

Since their discovery in oils and fats almost twenty years ago, 3-Monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD) and glycidyl esters (GE), have emerged concerns regarding safety due to their toxicity and potential carcinogenicity. These contaminants are not naturally present in oils and fats but can be formed during processing. There are several options to avoid GE in refined oils, optimizing processing conditions in order to minimize formation (preventive approach) is one way to go. Alternatively, removal of GE when already formed and detected in oils is also possible by modifying the process and technologies. Mitigation of 3-MCPD is more challenging. Focus is mainly on removing the chlorine precursors present in untreated, crude oils, before they can form 3-MCPD. This is not always easy, mainly because it depends on the quality of the crude oil, but it is the most convenient mitigation strategy.

Mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) are contaminants that have attracted much attention during recent years. They can find their way into foods and especially edible oils, virtually in every step of the production process, from field to packaging, and often contamination is particularly difficult to avoid. In these cases, removing such unwanted substances is expected to take place in the refining.

This presentation discusses the most recent available technologies available for mitigating 3-MCPD/GE and MOSH/MOAH in edible oils and fats.