Glycidol, 2- and 3-MCPD belong to the so-called process contaminants, more precisely to the heat contaminants. They are mainly formed during refining (removal of unpleasant tastes and odors) of vegetable fats and oils and can therefore be found in all refined vegetable fats and oils and all foods containing them as an ingredient.

These contaminants are undesirable in foods because glycidol is classified as carcinogenic and mutagenic, and 3-MCPD is considered possibly carcinogenic to humans. The health effects of 2-MCPDs have not yet been adequately studied.

We have investigated over 1,000 relevant food samples in the period 2015 - 2020: Spreads, Bread & Pastries, Pastries & Snacks, Frying Oils & Frying Fats, Canned & Prepared Foods, Vegetable Edible Fats, Edible Oils Blends, Varietal Edible Oils, Specialty Oils, Spreadable Fats, Seasoning Sauces and Sugar Confectionery. The highest glycidol contents were determined in the food groups "frying oils and fats" and "vegetable edible fats". Therefore, mainly fats and oils are tested for these heat contaminants. The legally prescribed maximum levels for glycidol and 3-MCPD were mostly complied with.

Since 2016, measures to reduce glycidol, 3-MCPD and 2-MCPD have been initiated and implemented by food business operators and manufacturers. These measures are based on the optimization of production and manufacturing processes. At the political level, further minimization measures have been taken through the setting of EU maximum levels and through the increased control of food products at the national level.

These measures have already begun to have an impact in the infant formula and follow-on formula product groups: We tested over 250 infant and follow-on formula products for glycidol, 3-MCPD and 2-MCPD between 2015 and 2020. The test results show low average concentrations. Currently, infant formula, follow-on formula, vegetable oils and fats intended for the production of complementary foods and processed cereal-based foods for infants and young children are regulated with maximum levels. In our studies, there were hardly any exceedances of the maximum levels for glycidol and 3-MCPD.

Tips:

• A balanced diet with fresh ingredients and home-prepared meals helps reduce intake of these undesirable contaminants
• Consume fatty and industrially highly processed foods as rarely as possible
• If not breastfed, there is no alternative to industrially manufactured infant formula for infant feeding. Parents are advised to continue feeding their infants the products made specifically for them, because these products contain vital nutrients for infants in the right composition.