Toxic substances found in palm oil

(AGI) Rome, May 4 - Palm oil, used in many foods, contains toxic substances that pose a threat to children, according to a risk assessment from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). EFSA warned that glycerol-based process contaminants found in palm oil, but also in other vegetable oils, margarines and some processed foods, raise potential health concerns for average consumers of these foods in young age groups, and for high consumers in all age groups. EFSA assessed the risks for public health of the substances: glycidyl fatty acid esters (GE), 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD), and 2-monochloropropanediol (2-MCPD) and their fatty acid esters. The substances form during food processing, in particular, when refining vegetable oils at high temperatures (approx. 200 degrees centigrade). The highest levels of GE, as well as 3-MCPD and 2-MCPD (including esters) were found in palm oils and palm fats, followed by other oils and fats. For consumers aged three and above, margarines and 'pastries and cakes' were the main sources of exposure to all substances. EFSA's expert Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) considered information on the toxicity of glycidol (the parent compound of GE) for its risk assessment of GE, assuming a complete conversion of the esters into glycidol following ingestion. Dr Helle Knutsen, Chair of the CONTAM Panel, said: "There is sufficient evidence that glycidol is genotoxic and carcinogenic, therefore the CONTAM Panel did not set a safe level for GE." When assessing genotoxic and carcinogenic substances that are unintentionally present in the food chain, EFSA calculates a 'margin of exposure' for consumers. In general, the higher the margin of exposure is, the lower the level of concern for consumers. "The exposure to GE of babies consuming solely infant formula is a particular concern as this is up to 10 times what would be considered of low concern for public health," said Dr Knutsen. The Panel's review revealed that levels of GE in palm oils and fats halved between 2010 and 2015, due to voluntary measures taken by producers. This has contributed to an important fall in consumer exposure to these substances. "We have set a tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 0.8 micrograms per kilogramme of body weight per day for 3-MCPD and its fatty acid esters based on evidence linking this substance to organ damage in animal tests," explained Dr Knutsen. She added that, "the toxicological information is too limited, however, to set a safe level for 2-MCPD." Estimated average and high exposures to 3-MCPD from both forms for young age groups including adolescents (up to 18 years of age) exceed the TDI and are a potential concern for health. (AGI). .