MOAH – European Commission

Summary of Draft joint statement of the EU Member States regarding the presence of Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH) in food, including food for infants and young children.

If the quantified presence of MOAH, which are possible genotoxic carcinogens, in food including food for infants and young children is confirmed by an official control, the products concerned should be withdrawn and, if necessary, recalled from the market on the basis of Article 14 of the General Food Law (Regulation (EC) No 178/2002), to ensure a high level of human health protection.

In this regard the Member States also stress the responsibilities of food business operators in accordance with Article 19 of the General Food Law.  In order to ensure a uniform enforcement approach throughout the EU, the Member States agreed to withdraw and, if necessary, to recall products from the market, when the sum of the concentrations of MOAH in food are at or above the following maximum LOQs:

• 0.5 mg/kg for dry foods with a low fat/oil content (≤ 4% fat/oil)
• 1 mg/kg for foods with a higher fat/oil content (> 4% fat/oil)
• 2 mg/kg for fats/oils

Analysis and sampling should be done according to the provisions of Regulation (EC) No. 333/2007.