Monochloropropanediol in edible vegetable oils from Hangzhou market in China: occurrence and exposure risk assessment

In this study, 241 vegetable-oil food samples were collected from the Hangzhou market in China and analysed for fatty acid esters of 3- and 2-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD and 2-MCPD) using non-derivative gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Food consumption data were taken from a food consumption survey of urban and rural residents in Hangzhou city performed in 2010-2011. Levels of 3-MCPD esters in edible oil ranged from not detected to 7.98 mg/kg, and the highest mean levels were found in tea seed oil, with concentrations of 2.94 mg/kg. Esters of 2-MCPD levels ranged from not detected to 4.03 mg/kg, and the highest mean levels were also found in tea seed oil, containing 1.49 mg/kg. The range of mean dietary intake of 3-MCPD esters in different groups of edible oil was from 0.096 to 1.54 mu g/kg body weight (bw) per day, which is lower than the tolerable daily intake (TDI) established by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (2 mu g/kg bw/day). For people aged above 6 years old, the dietary intake of 3-MCPD from edible oil was 0.42 mu g/kg bw per day (mean) and 1.22 mu g/kg bw per day (P97.5). The range of mean dietary intake of 2-MCPD esters in different groups of edible oil was from 0.025 to 0.79 mu g/kg bw/day, and 2-MCPD esters intake was 0.20 mu g/kg bw per day (mean) and 0.60 mu g/kg bw per day (P97.5). In addition, the dietary intake exposure to 3-MCPD and 2-MCPD esters for urban residents was lower than that for rural residents. The findings indicate that the potential health risks caused by dietary 3-MCPD esters from edible oils were of low concern for most of the Hangzhou residents. However, the exposure risk for consumers with excessive consumption of certain kind of edible oil calls for attention.

Automated summary

The study analyzed vegetable-oil food samples from the Hangzhou market for fatty acid esters of 3-MCPD and 2-MCPD. The findings suggest that the potential health risks from dietary 3-MCPD esters in edible oils were low concern for most Hangzhou residents, but attention is needed for consumers with excessive consumption of certain types of oils. Urban residents had lower dietary intake exposure to 3-MCPD and 2-MCPD esters compared to rural residents.