What Are MOAH? Health Risks, Food Safety Regulations and Industry Impact

Mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) are diverse group of hydrocarbons derived from mineral oil. MOH are often divided into two main types: mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH).

MOH can contaminate food through various pathways, including machinery lubricants, release agents, processing aids, food or feed additives, and migration from food contact materials.

MOAH (Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons) occur naturally in crude oil and petroleum, and can exist in products derived from petroleum, like mineral oils and synthetic polyolefins. They are comprised primarily of alkylated aromatic hydrocarbons. If food processing aids are contaminated with MOAH, either through poor refinement or cross-contamination during their manufacture, MOAH could migrate into food and become a health risk to a consumer. MOAH with three or more rings (a.k.a. polycyclic aromatic compounds) have been linked to some cancers and related diseases.

Are you aware that MOAH, could be in your food processing and food equipment materials? If your product is free from these harmful substances, it could give you a competitive edge while ensuring a safer choice for your buyers, end-users or consumers.

Food contamination in finished food products can occur during food processing and preparation, via lubricants with incidental food contact, used while operating machine parts and equipment:

• Anti-rust agents
• Mold release agents
• Processing aids
• Sealants and adhesives
• Heat transfer fluids
• Metal working fluids.

MOAH can be found in components used in food equipment manufacture:

• Sealants
• Adhesives
• O-rings/gaskets
• Valves
• Tubing
• Coatings.

Scientific opinion has identified health risks associated with the presence of these substances. MOAHs, with three or more rings, have been shown to be genotoxic carcinogens (which can cause damage to human DNA).

MOAH regulations for food equipment, processing and packaging vary around the world. If you’re a manufacturer looking to protect current markets or enter new ones (such as Europe), it’s important to check how MOAH in food preparation and processing is regulated. You may need to source or develop alternative materials as a result.

The European Commission plays a crucial role in ensuring food safety across the European Union and collaborates with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to base decisions on scientific evidence.

In the US, the FDA monitors food safety and packaging materials under general guidelines, which include concerns about chemical migration.

In India, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has published guidelines related to contaminants, toxins, and residues in food, which include general safety measures.

In other parts of the world such as Brazil and China, food safety measures are aligning with international standards, which include monitoring for harmful substances like MOAH in food and packaging materials.