The Food Contaminants Chloropropanols and Chloropropanol Esters: A Review

Chloropropanols and chloropropanol esters are major food pollutants. Free chloropropanols are found in foods such as soy sauce, infant formula, edible vegetable oils, bread and margarine, whereas chloropropanol esters are found primarily in processed oils and fats. Risk assessments and toxicological studies indicate that these compounds pose significant risks to human health. Their formation during the heat processing of food is inevitable, making them a critical food safety concern. Comprehensive research on their formation mechanisms, detection methods, exposure levels and toxicity profiles is essential to address this issue. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the occurrence, toxicology, detection and elimination of chloropropanols and chloropropanol esters. It provides a scientific basis for further understanding these pollutants, suggests directions for future research and identifies key challenges requiring resolution.