Mineral Oil (E905A): What It Is and Is It Safe?
Highly refined food-grade mineral oil is a mixture of saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) used to coat, release and stop sticking on confectionery, dried fruit, rice and chewing gum. EFSA reports that MOSH can accumulate in body tissues such as the liver and lymph nodes, with high-viscosity grades absorbed and accumulating less than lower-viscosity oils. The aromatic mineral oil fraction (MOAH), a possible refining contaminant, includes compounds that can be genotoxic and carcinogenic, which is why food-grade purity specifications tightly limit aromatic content.
- Category
- Glazing Agent — Mineral hydrocarbon (MOSH)
- Typically used in
- Surface treatment of confectionery, dried fruit, rice and chewing gum; release and anti-dusting agent.
- Regulatory status
- Permitted in the EU and UK only for specific surface-treatment uses under high-viscosity food-grade purity specifications; mineral-hydrocarbon accumulation and MOAH content kept under EFSA review.
- Also listed as
- Food-Grade, High Viscosity
- Concerns flagged
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Accumulates in the bodyLiver effects
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Where this comes from
- EFSA (2012) — Scientific Opinion on Mineral Oil Hydrocarbons in Food https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2012.2704
- EFSA (2023) — Update of the risk assessment of mineral oil hydrocarbons in food https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/plain-language-summary/update-risk-assessment-mineral-oil-hydrocarbons-moh-food
Products containing Mineral Oil
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