In a current recommendation, the European Commission calls for the determination of furan and methylfurans. These are process contaminants that form in food during thermal processing.
Consumers ingest furan primarily through coffee and foods containing grain, but small children are also exposed to furan through convenience food in jars or cans. According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the usual intake of furan indicates a "health hazard", with methylfurans (substances related to furan) also contributing to a significant proportion of the total exposure.
However, since there is no data on the occurrence of furan and methylfurans in food, the new Commission Recommendation (EU) 2022/495 recommends the collection of additional data in this area by the EU member states and food business operators. Accordingly, methods for determining these analytes in coffee and food for infants and young children should have a maximum limit of quantification of 20 µg/kg or 5 µg/kg.
QSI has adapted the methods used to the updated requirements. For baby food, we can offer you an analysis with the limit of quantification of 2 µg/kg, which enables an extended risk analysis.
Consumer magazines have also taken up the topic of methylfurans. For example, Öko-Test (11/2021) had furan and its methyl analogues examined in the infusion of coffee. The following values were used as the criterion for devaluation (1 grade):
• 76.8 µg/L for the sum of furan, 2- and 3-methylfuran
• 3.93 µg/L for furan alone.
These are calculated values based on data from an EFSA statement from 2017.
For coffee, in addition to the determination in roasted coffee, QSI also offers an analysis in the infusion. For the latter, a limit of quantification of 1 µg/L is reached, with which compliance with the Ökotest criteria can be checked.
Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or for an offer - we look forward to actively supporting your company in this new challenge!
If you have any questions or special requirements regarding the scope of the examination, we will be happy to advise you.
Email: info.qsi@tentamus.com
Phone: +49 (0) 421-596607-0
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