Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH) are hydrocarbons derived from petroleum and form a group of compounds composed of polyaromatic structures. These compounds are widely present in the biological world and the environment, with different numbers of benzene rings in their structure, and show potential genotoxicity and carcinogenicity [1-3].
In April 2022, the European Commission stated it is developing recommended limits for MOAH in food so that EU Member States apply a uniform enforcement approach.
To ensure a uniform enforcement approach throughout the EU, Member States agreed to withdraw or recall products when the sum of MOAH concentrations reaches or exceeds the following maximum LOQs: [4]
| Product category | Recommended MOAH LOQ |
|---|---|
| Dry foods with low fat/oil content (≤ 4% fat/oil) | 0.5 mg/kg |
| Foods with higher fat/oil content (> 4% fat/oil) | 1 mg/kg |
| Fats / oils | 2 mg/kg |
Mineral oil is present in almost all foods at varying levels, from natural sources (hydrocarbon-containing organisms, plant and animal waxes, bacteria) as well as environmental and supply-chain contamination. Because MOAH are small polar molecules, they may accumulate together with active ingredients (saponins, flavonoids, etc.) during astragalus extract production.
We determined the MOAH content of commercially available astragalus extract products. The tested market sample showed a MOAH level of 49 mg/kg — roughly 100× the EU recommended limit for dry, low-fat foods, underscoring the need for MOAH limit requirements in the astragalus extract standard.
Market sample: MOAH ≈ 49 mg/kg (without MOAH-removing processing)
Through long-term R&D, Chengdu King-tiger developed a production process that removes MOAH while preserving the original natural ingredients of astragalus extract. In a pilot-scale study using three consecutive production batches:
Chengdu King-tiger result: MOAH not detected (Eurofins)
| Parameter | EU recommended LOQ (2022 PAFF) | Market sample | Chengdu King-tiger (after removal) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MOAH (dry, ≤4% fat) | 0.5 mg/kg | 49 mg/kg (~100×) | Not detected |
We can supply a series of astragalus extract products that meet European MOAH limit requirements. Buyers with this need may use them with confidence.
Need MOAH-compliant astragalus extract with third-party report and CoA?
1. Ainsworth AJ, Fredrickson JR, et al. Improved detection of mineral oil toxicity using an extended mouse embryo assay. J Assist Reprod Genet, 2017, 34:391-397.
2. EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM). Scientific opinion on mineral oil hydrocarbons in food. EFSA Journal, 2012, 10(6):2704.
3. EFSA, ARCELLA D, BAERT K, et al. Rapid risk assessment on MOAH contamination of infant formula. EFSA Supporting Publications, 2019, 16(11):1741E.
4. Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (PAFF), 21 April 2022.
