Migration of mineral oil hydrocarbons from food contact paper and board and probabilistic health risk assessment

Growing concerns have emerged about food contamination by mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) due to their adverse health effects, with food contact materials identified as a primary source. A total of 502 food contact paper and board (P&B) samples were collected from five provinces across China and analyzed by solid-phase extraction-gas chromatography-flame ionisation detection (SPE-GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The migration of mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) into acidic, aqueous and fatty food simulants was measured. Analysis showed no detectable levels of MOSH or MOAH in either acidic or aqueous food simulants. In fatty food simulants, MOSH exhibited significantly higher migration than MOAH in both isooctane and 95% ethanol, with similar migration patterns between the two simulants. To assess the potential health risks, a probabilistic risk assessment was conducted using Monte Carlo simulation. The lowest mean and P95 margin of exposure (MOE) for MOSH was 2,697 and 1,249 in various scenarios, suggesting an acceptable risk level for the exposed population. Nevertheless, further investigation is warranted to assess the potential health risks associated with MOAH exposure. • The migration of MOH from 502 food contact paper samples in China was analyzed. • Similar migration patterns were observed in isooctane and 95% ethanol. • The migration of MOH varied noticeably among different types of paper products. • Probabilistic health risk assessments via Monte Carlo simulation were conducted. • The exposure to MOSH migration from food contact paper was at an acceptable level.