3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) in soy sauces and similar products available from retail outlets in the UK.
A survey of the level of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) in soy sauces and similar products available in the UK is reported. The survey was carried out by the Joint Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food/Department of Health Food Safety and Standards Group (JFSSG) to check for compliance with the Food Advisory Committee's (FAC) recommended limit for 3-MCPD of 0.01 mg/kg following reports that soy sauces in several European countries had been found to contain high levels (up to 124 mg/kg) of 3-MCPD. Forty samples of soy sauce and similar products purchased from retail outlets were analysed using a GC-MS procedure which had been formally validated by an earlier collaborative trial. 3-MCPD was undetectable in 21 (52%) of samples analysed in the survey, with a further five samples containing very low levels of between 0.01 and 0.02 mg/kg. Five samples (13%) contained 3-MCPD at levels in the range 0.020-1 mg/kg while nine samples (23%) were found to contain 3-MCPD at levels greater than 1 mg/kg, with the highest level being 30.5 mg/kg.
Macarthur
R
R
Central Science Laboratory, Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ.
Crews
C
C
Davies
A
A
Brereton
P
P
Hough
P
P
Harvey
D
D
D002273:Carcinogens / Q000032:analysis*; D002629:Chemosterilants / Q000032:analysis*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D003212:Condiments / Q000032:analysis*; D004350:Drug Residues / Q000032:analysis; D005506:Food Contamination; D006801:Humans; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D013025:Glycine max / Q000737:chemistry*; D000517:alpha-Chlorohydrin / Q000032:analysis*
D002273:Carcinogens; D002629:Chemosterilants; D000517:alpha-Chlorohydrin