Food Standards Agency
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Response to EFSA opinion
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has yesterday published an opinion on mineral oils in food.
Mineral oils can occur in food both as a result of contamination and from some applications in food production.
Although EFSA has identified potential concern from mineral oils in food, it acknowledges considerable uncertainties in assessing any potential risks. As in the Food Standards Agency’s recent survey, yesterday’s opinion does not identify any specific food safety concerns.
The FSA is not advising consumers to change their eating habits based on the EFSA opinion. This is in line with previous advice following the publication of a FSA survey in December 2011, which looked at mineral oils in carton board food packaging.
The FSA has continued to work with the food and packaging industry on minerals oils in food since publication of this survey. The FSA is aware that they have been working to minimise the presence of mineral oils in food and packaging.
The FSA will review the EFSA opinion in depth and will consider if further work is needed to protect consumers.
