European survey of contamination of homogenized baby food by epoxidized soybean oil migration from plasticized PVC gaskets

The results are reported of a European survey of the contamination of baby food with epoxidized soyabean oil (ESBO). Fat from the sample was extracted, transmethylated and derivatized for analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Analysis was carried out of 248 samples of various types of foodstuffs from the 15 European Union Member States as well as Switzerland. ESBO was found in 95 of 248 samples analysed at levels from 1.5 to 135.2 mg kg^-1. The highest concentrations were found in main dish mixed foods such as vegetables and meat or carbohydrate- and vegetable-based mixes. Levels exceeded 30 mg kg^-1 in 15% of the samples, and 4% exceeded the overall migration limit fixed for plastics in the European Union of 60 mg kg^-1. This level of contamination is significant, confirming results from previous surveys and indicating a risk for the tolerable daily intake to be exceeded. These results suggest that an emphasis must be placed for more systematic research with a focus on the parameters for migration.     

食品中烃类矿物油的污染情况及迁移研究进展

烃类矿物油是石油原油经精馏纯化形成的复杂烃类混合物,食品加工过程中、环境污染以及食品接触材料的迁移等都会导致烃类矿物油进入食品。虽然不同类型矿物油成分对人体的毒性目前还没有统一的界定,但其潜在的危害性已经引起广泛的关注。文中综述了国内外对于烃类矿物油的毒理学特性、食品中烃类矿物油的来源、污染现状及食品接触材料迁移等方面的最新研究进展,总结了目前研究中存在的问题,并对其发展趋势进行了展望。     

The analysis risk of contamination microorganism food products

Analytical review presents the specific issues of the analysis (AMR as concept) and an microbiological risk assessment (MRA as process). The AMR structure as a whole, its role and advantages in system of a current food safety assessment system, and also existing problems of accu mulation of the risk-oriented information are covered. The methodology of MRA is described, the characteristic of its subelements, the primary goals and means of their performance at each stage of process is given. Article is illustrated by own examples of the determination of the numbers/quantities of coliforms and E. coli ingested by the consumers weith large consumption products and also of the modular process risk modelfor VT-E. coli in semifinished meat.     

黄曲霉毒素与食品污染

食品污染包括很多,黄曲霉毒素的污染是其中比较突出的一种。就黄曲霉毒素在中国食品的污染和监测情况,及有关黄曲霉毒素预防控制措施进行简要评述。     

发酵食品中氨基甲酸乙酯污染状况调查与分析

采用液液萃取和基质固相分散的样品前处理技术,应用气相色谱-串联质谱的检测方法对发酵食品中氨基甲酸乙酯(ethyl carbamate,EC)的污染状况进行调查和分析,共检测发酵食品437批次,其中EC阳性样品343批次,阳性率为78.49%,阳性率最高的是果酒100%,其次是酱油98.17%、醋86.67%和黄酒78.38%,最低的是啤酒,为未检出。饮料酒中EC平均值最高的是黄酒90.4μg/L,其次为保健酒62.9μg/L,最低为葡萄酒,为7.6μg/L,调味品中酱油和醋EC平均值分别为84.1μg/kg和76.2μg/kg,焙烤食品中面包EC平均值24.3μg/kg。研究结果表明,黄酒、酱油和醋中EC的阳性率、平均值相对较高,在今后的研究和监测中需要重点关注。     

食用油中塑化剂的污染途径及分析方法的研究进展

塑化剂主要是指邻苯二甲酸酯类物质(PAEs),其广泛应用于工业各个领域.研究表明,PAEs的急毒性作用虽不明显,但可引起肝、肾、肺及心脏、生殖等多组织系统的中毒,其中以雄性生殖系统损害最为明显.因此,美国、日本、中国先后将PAEs列入优先控制污染物的黑名单.为了对PAEs有更深入的了解,对塑化剂的理化性质、食用油中塑化剂污染途径及食用油中塑化剂检测方法的研究状况等进行了综述,以期为塑化剂的深入研究提供帮助.     

The dioxin contamination incident in Ireland, 2008: analytical results and congener patterns

A porcine fat sample taken as part of the national residues monitoring programme in 2008 led to the detection of a major feed contamination incidence in the Republic of Ireland. The source of the contamination was traced back to the use of contaminated oil in a direct-drying feed operation system. Congener profiles in animal fat and feed samples showed a high level of consistency and pinpointed the likely source of fuel contamination to be a highly chlorinated commercial PCB mixture.     

The dioxin contamination incident in Ireland, 2008: analytical results and congener patterns

A porcine fat sample taken as part of the national residues monitoring programme in 2008 led to the detection of a major feed contamination incidence in the Republic of Ireland. The source of the contamination was traced back to the use of contaminated oil in a direct-drying feed operation system. Congener profiles in animal fat and feed samples showed a high level of consistency and pinpointed the likely source of fuel contamination to be a highly chlorinated commercial PCB mixture.     

Regulating the use of degraded oil/fat in deep‐fat/oil food frying

During frying, the degradation of oil produces harmful compounds. Improper monitoring of oil‐discard times in restaurants either risks the public health or causes financial losses to industries. Measuring the oil quality is a complex problem and an online sensor is needed. The process of frying reviewed includes moisture, heat and fat/oil transfer, crust formation and various structural, textural and chemical changes in the product, and degradation of frying medium. Some of the European nations and the U.S. have specific regulations against the use of deteriorated frying oils. Due to the absence of a suitable online frying oil quality sensor for restaurant situations, it is difficult to implement any regulation against the use of deteriorated frying oil. Based on various regulations, a model regulation to increase the safety and quality of fried foods is discussed. Background and requirements for developing an online sensor to measure frying oil quality are discussed. Other related areas reviewed in this article are factors affecting oil penetration and absorption by the food, surfactant theory of frying, analytical indices, quick tests and acceptability of frying oil.     

Aflatoxin contamination in food commodities in Bangladesh

During September 2009, we performed a rapid cross-sectional study to investigate the extent of aflatoxin contamination among common Bangladeshi foods. We collected eight common human food commodities (rice, lentils, wheat flour, dates, betelnut, red chili powder, ginger and groundnuts) and poultry feed samples from two large markets in each of three cities in Bangladesh. We quantified aflatoxin levels from pooled subsamples using fluorescence high-performance liquid chromatography. Aflatoxin levels were highest in dates and groundnuts (maximum 623 and 423?ng/g), respectively. Samples of betelnut (mean 30.6?ng/g), lentils (mean 21.2?ng/g) and red chili powder (>20?ng/g) also had elevated levels. The mean aflatoxin level among poultry feed samples was 73.0?ng/g. Aflatoxin levels were above the US maximum regulatory levels of 20?ng/g in five of eight commonly ingested human food commodities tested.     

Determination of food contamination by mineral oil material from printed cardboard using on-line coupled LC-GC-FID

 Inks used for printing paper and cardboard are dispersions of synthetic organic pigments in a bonding agent system built up essentially of resins, vegetable oils and high-boiling-point mineral oil products (b.p. >250°C). The proportion of mineral oil material in the ink ranges between 20 and 30%. The more volatile mineral oil components slowly evaporate from the printed cardboard box and may migrate into the food product. They contaminated cereals and dry baby-food products at concentrations between 10 and 150 mg/kg. Received: 27 January 1997     

Comparison of dioxin and PCB concentrations in human breast milk samples from Hong Kong and the Netherlands

The adverse effects of dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on human health are of increasing concern. These lipophilic compounds are concentrated through the food chain and are present in human milk. This study compares PCB levels in human milk samples from Hong Kong and Dutch mothers. Ten breast milk samples from Hong Kong and 10 from the Netherlands were collected during home visits between 2 and 6 weeks postpartum. Total toxic equivalence (TEQ) of dioxin and PCBs were determined using the DR-CALUX® bioassay. The total dioxin and PCB levels in breast milk samples for Hong Kong ranged from 3.1 to 29.9 pg TEQ g^-1 lipid and for the Netherlands from 8.9 to 89.5 pg TEQ g^-1 lipid. Despite Hong Kong's high degree of industrialization, the levels of dioxin and PCBs were fourfold lower in the Hong Kong than in the Dutch samples. This may be due to a lower dietary intake of dioxins and PCBs in Hong Kong because of lower background levels of these contaminants or to different food habits.     

输欧食品接触材料风险分析

通过汇总和分析2000～2010年欧盟食品与饲料快速预警系统(RASFF)对原产自中国(含中国香港)的食品接触材料的通报数据,得出尼龙和蜜胺塑料餐厨具、不锈钢餐厨具为中国输欧食品接触材料中的高风险产品,芳香胺迁移量、甲醛迁移量和铬镍重金属迁移量为高风险检测项目,意大利、德国、英国等为敏感性高风险输入国,并分析通报原因。为企业有的放矢提高产品质量、规避贸易风险提供帮助,并建议监管部门及时向出口企业宣贯、讲解欧盟法规和技术标准要求,通报欧盟RASFF通报情况、高风险产品和项目,使企业提高产品质量控制意识,积极主动学习了解国外法规和通报情况。     

Additional exposure of the Irish adult population to dioxins and PCBs from the diet as a consequence of the 2008 Irish dioxin food contamination incident

In 2008, the discovery of elevated levels of dioxins and PCBs in a porcine fat sample taken as part of the national residues monitoring programme led to the detection of a major feed contamination incidence in the Republic of Ireland. To estimate additional exposure to dioxins and PCBs due to the contamination incident, all data associated with the contamination incident were collected and reviewed. An exposure model was devised that took into account the proportion of contaminated product reaching the final consumer during the contamination incident window and which utilised all additional information that became available after the incident occurred. Exposure estimates derived for both dioxins and PCBs showed that the body burden of the general population remained largely unaffected by the contamination incident and only approximately 10% were exposed to elevated levels of dioxins and PCBs. Whilst this proportion of the population experienced quite a significant additional load to the existing body burden, the estimated exposure values do not suggest that these would be associated with adverse health effects, based on current knowledge. The exposure period was also limited in time to approximately 3 months, following the recall of contaminated meat immediately on detection of the contamination.     

Analysis of sources of dioxin contamination in sediments and soils using multivariate statistical methods and neural networks

Multivariate statistical methods and neuronal networks were used to evaluate the concentration dioxin patterns of a large data set (407 samples) in order to identify the dioxin sources of contaminated waters (sediment and suspended particulate matter samples). The evaluations indicated that a considerable proportion of the dioxin contamination of the river Elbe in the section between the Mulde tributary and the North Sea and their flood plains (soil samples) and the Port of Hamburg was caused by pollution originating from the Bitterfeld region, an industrial area of the former German Democratic Republic. The dioxin patterns of sediment samples from tributaries of the river Elbe in the Bitterfeld area itself are similar to dioxin patterns that can be attributed to metalworking processes. The dioxin patterns of the Hamburg inner city waters could be attributed to "incineration" dioxin sources, for example waste incineration plants. The results of cluster analysis applying different modes of distance measure and linkage compared well with neuronal networks. The number of clusters was determined based on the stability of the results of different cluster analyses and background information.     

Environmental and human impact of an old-timer incinerator in terms of dioxin and PCB level: a case study

The impact of a recently closed old municipal solid waste incinerator (MSWI) on polychlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD), polychlorodibenzofuran (PCDF), and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) levels in the surrounding environment and resident serum has been studied in a small rural area of France. Studied soils and eggs from chickens foraging on these soils were sampled in the vicinity of the MSWI underthe prevailing wind stream, while comparison samples were collected outside the assumed impact zone. PCB levels observed in soils and eggs did not differ statistically from comparison sites. This confirmed the low impact of MSWI PCB emission on environmental media, compared to other well-known sources. PCDD/PCDF levels in soils and eggs were significantly higher than in comparison samples, pointing out the impact of MSWI emission on the surrounding environment. The high dioxin concentrations in eggs set aside for private consumption would increase the dioxin intake for the studied population. Blood specimens of 10 nonoccupationally exposed volunteers who had lived within a 2 km radius of the incinerator for at least 25 years have been analyzed. When adjusted for age, PCB and PCDD/F blood levels were higher than general European populations and comparable to a similarly exposed Belgian population.     

粮油食品中黄曲霉毒素的污染及预防措施

粮油食品在原料贮存的过程中极易发霉,常常因黄曲霉污染而导致黄曲霉毒素超过国家标准,人食用含黄曲霉毒素超标的食品,会导致肝脏损伤甚至发生癌变。因此,采取有效措施防止粮油食品黄曲霉毒素的超标,是保证食品安全和减少经济损失的关键环节。     

Tracing and analytical results of the dioxin contamination incident in 2008 originating from the Republic of Ireland

High levels of dioxins (PCDD/Fs) in pork were discovered in France and the Netherlands at the end of 2008. The contamination was rapidly traced back to a feed stock in the Republic of Ireland (RoI). Burning oil, used for the drying of bakery waste, appeared to be contaminated with PCBs. Consequently, very high levels up to 500 pg TEQ g?1 fat were found in pork. The congener pattern clearly pointed to PCB-oil as a source, but the ratio between the non-dioxin-like indicator PCBs (PCBs 28, 52, 101, 138, 152 and 180) and PCDD/Fs was much lower than observed during the Belgian incident, thereby limiting the suitability of indicator PCBs as a marker for the presence of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs. This paper describes the tracking and tracing of the incident, the public-private cooperation, the surveillance activities and its results. A major lesson to be learned from this incident is the importance of good private food safety systems. In this incident, it was the private surveillance systems that identified the origin of contamination within 10 days after the first signal of increased dioxin levels in a product. On the other hand, retrospective analyses showed that signals were missed that could have led to an earlier detection of the incident and the source. Above all, the incident would not have occurred when food safety assurance systems had been effectively implemented in the involved feed chain. It is discussed that besides primary responsibility for effective private food safety systems, the competent authorities have to supervise whether the food safety procedures are capable of coping with these kinds of complex food safety issues, while private food companies need to implement the law, and public authorities should supervise and enforce them. Finally, it is discussed whether the health risks derived from consumption of the contaminated batches of meat may have been underestimated during the incident due to the unusually high intake of dioxins.