Sunflower oil samples detected with harmful contaminant benzo[a]pyrene
| Issue Date | 8.7.2016 |
|---|---|
| Source of Information | The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) |
| Food Product | Sunflower oil |
| Product Name and Description | (1) Product name: Sunflower Oil |
| Reason For Issuing Alert | The CFS collected the abovementioned samples from two retail outlets in Central for testing. The test results showed that the 'goccia d'oro' sample contained BaP at a level of 13 micrograms per kilogram (µg/kg) while the 'Bio Planete' and 'Da Agricoltura' samples were found to contain the contaminant at a level of 22µg/kg and 26µg/kg respectively, all exceeding the action level of 10µg/kg established by the CFS after consulting the Expert Committee on Food Safety. BaP is a kind of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which are contaminants ubiquitous in the environment. BaP is toxic to genes and can cause cancer in human. The International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization has classified BaP as "carcinogenic to human". The intake of BaP should be avoided as far as practicable. If an edible oil sample is found to contain BaP at a level equal or greater than 20µg/kg, the derived Margin of Exposure will be lower than 10 000, indicating a possible public health concern. |
| Action Taken by the Centre for Food Safety | The CFS had informed the vendors concerned of the irregularities and instructed them to stop sale and remove from shelves the affected batches of the products immediately. The CFS will continue to closely follow up on the incident and take appropriate action. Investigation is ongoing. |
| Advice to the Trade | Stop using or selling the affected batches of the products should they possess them. |
| Advice to Consumers | Not to consume the affected batch of the product. |
| Further Information |
Centre for Food Safety
Food and Environmental Hygiene Department
2016-7-8