NofaLab receives RvA accreditation to analyse 3-MCPD and glycidyl esters

NofaLab uses the DGF Fast and Clean differential method, equivalent to the AOCS Cd 29c-13 and NEN-ISO 18363-1:2015 accreditations, and has also been approved by the Dutch Accreditation Council (RvA).

We have been testing and using this method for over a year now and are currently working on expanding the scope to include soy sauce and oil-based products, such as mayonnaise, baked goods and infant formula.

Our method of analysis for MCPD and glycidyl esters provides same-day turnaround to address our clients’ needs in a fast moving market. 

What is MCPDs?

Monochloropropanediols (MCPDs) may be present in a variety of foodstuffs in both free and fatty acid ester-bound form. Free 2- and 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (2-MCPD and 3-MCPD) may be formed by heating triglyceride-  and salt-containing foods and are therefore present in a variety of foodstuffs. Refinement of fats and oils may result in the formation of 2-MCPD-, 3-MCPD and glycidyl esters due to the high temperatures used in the process.
NofaLab is able to analyse 2-MCPD, 3-MCPD and glycidyl esters in different matrices.

Toxicology of MCPD

3-MCPD and its fatty acid esters have been suspected of having adverse effects on the male fertility and the kidney and the EFSA has set the tolerable daily intake (TDI) for 3-MCPD at 2,0 µg per kg bodyweight in 2018. 3-MCPD is also classified as a possible human carcinogen.

Glycidol

Glycidyl esters are both genotoxic and carcinogenic and their genotoxicity is supported by both in vivo and in vitro evidence. (EFSA 2018;16(1):5083)

Regulations

In 2018 the European Commission published maximum values for glycidyl fatty acid esters (expressed as glycidol) in vegetable oils and fats (EU 2018/290). The maximum value in oils and fats for the final consumer or as an ingredient was set at 1,0 mg/kg, with the exception of oils and fats used for the production of baby food and processed cereal-based food for infants and young children for which the maximum in the used fat or oil is set at 0,5 mg/kg.