Fatty acid esters of 3‐MCPD: Overview of occurrence and exposure estimates

Many studies and surveys concerning the ocurrence and exposure of free 3‐MCPD have been performed in the last 30 years. Although a huge number of food samples, especially fats and oils, were analysed in the last 3 years, no systematic study about ester‐bound 3‐MCPD and the resulting exposure was performed up to now. In this paper published data of 3‐MCPD esters in different foods are reviewed, with a focus on fats and oils and infant formula. Concerning fats and oils, only in refined products significant concentrations of 3‐MCPD esters in a range from 0.25–15 mg/kg were present, with the highest levels found in palm oil. In infant formula, levels of ester‐linked 3‐MCPD were nearly unchanged in three surveys from April 2009 to May 2010, while levels of ester‐linked glycidol decreased dramatically in this period. Based on analytical data of more than 200 refined fats and oils, an average daily intake of 1.5 µg 3‐MCPD/kg bw/day, respectively, 0.9 µg glycidol/kg bw/day was calculated to result from consumer exposure to ester‐bound 3‐MCPD and glycidol.