Food Standards and Quality Control

Food Standard and Quality Control

Lesson 18 : Food Toxicants - Contaminants

Chloropropanols/Monochloropropanediol(3-MCPD)

• Chloropropanols/ Monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD) esters (or bound 3-MCPD) are fatty acids of 3-monochlorpropane- 1,2-diol. 3-MCPD esters were recently found in a variety of foodstuffs, particularly in refined vegetable oils and products made with refined vegetable oils.
• It occurs at low levels in many foods and food ingredients as a result of processing or storage conditions.
• 3-MCPD is most commonly found in baked goods, bread and cooked/cured meat/fish.
• It has also been found in baby formula and breast milk.
• Because it is carcinogenic, a maximum intake guideline is 2 µg/kg bodyweigh.