Role of Advanced GCxGC-TOFMS Technology in Detecting MOSH and MOAH Contaminants in Food

In food safety, the detection of mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) is a critical concern. MOH, derived from petroleum, can be found in various food products through environmental contamination, machinery lubricants, processing aids, & migration from food contact materials. This group of chemical compounds is categorized into Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons (MOSH) and Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH).

🔴 Why Should We Care About MOH in Our Food?
MOH can be present in many common food items like vegetable oils, dairy products, crisps, cereals, baby food, legumes, nuts, & even chocolate. While MOSH tends to accumulate in the liver & lymphoid system, it does not pose a significant public health risk at current dietary exposure levels. However, certain MOAH compounds contain genotoxic substances that can damage DNA & potentially cause cancer. For these substances, no safe level of exposure can be established.

🔴 The EU’s Proactive Stance on Food Safety
In Europe, the regulatory framework is stringent when it comes to monitoring MOH in food. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) continuously assesses the risks associated with MOH & provides guidance for risk management actions. Member States are required to monitor the presence of MOH in food, ensuring public health is safeguarded through wide data collection.

🔴 How LECO’s GCxGC-TOFMS System is Making a Difference
LECO‘s Pegasus BT 4D GCxGC TOFMS system is a game-changer. This advanced technology offers superior chromatographic resolution & identification capabilities, essential to expose the complexity of contaminated food samples. With increased separation power & identification confidence, our system ensures accurate detection & quantification of MOSH and MOAH.

A recent study by Grégory Bauwens & Giorgia Purcaro Aleksandra G. highlights the efficacy of LECO’s GCxGC-TOFMS system. Their research shows that combining LC-GC with GCxGC and TOFMS/FID offers high recovery, precision, accuracy, & repeatability, making it ideal for routine and confirmatory purposes. (Refer to the research paper DOI: 10.1016/j.greeac.2022.100047)

🔴 Setting a New Standard for Food Safety in India
For Indian food companies such as Amul India, ITC Limited, Nestlé India, Britannia Industries Limited, Mondelēz International and Parle Agro Pvt Ltd, adopting LECO’s advanced GCxGC-TOFMS technology can ensure the highest standards of food safety. This technology confirms the presence of MOSH/MOAH contaminants & also identifies natural biogenic substances, ensuring more accurate & reliable results than conventional methods.

🔴 How Do You Ensure the Safety and Quality of Your Food Products?
It’s clear that technology like LECO’s GCxGC-TOFMS can help companies stay ahead in the game of food safety.

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