Analysis of furan and its major furan derivatives in coffee products on the Chinese market using HS-GC-MS and the estimated exposure of the Chinese population

The current study analysed concentrations of furan and its derivatives in coffee products commercially available in China based on an improved headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS) method and estimated health risks. A total of 101 samples of coffee products on the Chinese market was analysed. Furan (98%, ND-6569 mu g/kg) and 2-methylfuran (100%, 2-29639 mu g/kg) were the compounds with the highest con-centrations and detection rates in coffee products. The mean dietary exposure of Chinese consumers to furan and the sum of furan, 2-methylfuran and 3-methylfuran in coffee products was 0.09 and 0.46 mu g/kg bw/day, respectively. For the neoplastic effects of furan, the margin of exposure (MOE) was 14,556 for the mean dietary exposure of consumers. For the non-neoplastic effects of furan, MOEs were 711 and 139 for furan and the sum of furan, 2-methylfuran and 3-methylfuran, respectively. Overall, a health concern is indicated for coffee consumers with MOEs below 10000.

Automated summary

The study analyzed the concentrations of furan and its derivatives in coffee products in the Chinese market and assessed the health risks to consumers. Furan and 2-methylfuran were found to have the highest concentrations and detection rates in coffee products. The average dietary exposure of Chinese consumers to furan and the sum of furan, 2-methylfuran, and 3-methylfuran in coffee products was 0.09 and 0.46 μg/kg bw/day, respectively. The margin of exposure (MOE) for the neoplastic effects of furan was 14,556 for the average dietary exposure of consumers. MOEs for the non-neoplastic effects of furan were 711 and 139 for furan and the sum of furan, 2-methylfuran, and 3-methylfuran, respectively. Overall, coffee consumers should be concerned about their health if their MOEs are below 10,000.