Mineral Oil in Chocolate: Salzburg24 Report
- Nicholas Day is a time for treats, but a recent study by the Upper Austria Chamber of Labor reveals a concerning discovery in some chocolate Santas.
- Consumer advocates at the Upper Austria Chamber of labor (AK OÖ) detected a "bitter aftertaste" during tests of chocolate Santas.
- Consumers seeking to avoid these contaminants may consider purchasing organic options.
Mineral Oil Contamination Found in Chocolate Santas
Table of Contents
- Mineral Oil Contamination Found in Chocolate Santas
- Mineral Oil Contamination found in Chocolate Santas: What You Need to Know
- What was found in chocolate Santas?
- Are these mineral oils harmful?
- How many chocolate Santas were tested?
- Were all chocolate Santas contaminated?
- What is the “bitter aftertaste” mentioned in the study?
- What are the potential sources of contamination?
- Can organic chocolate Santas avoid contamination?
- Did the study find any products entirely free of contamination?
- What do all these terms and acronyms mean?
Published: Nov.23, 2016
St. Nicholas Day is a time for treats, but a recent study by the Upper Austria Chamber of Labor reveals a concerning discovery in some chocolate Santas.
Carcinogenic compounds Detected
Consumer advocates at the Upper Austria Chamber of labor (AK OÖ) detected a “bitter aftertaste” during tests of chocolate Santas. Aromatic mineral oils (MOAH), suspected carcinogens, were found in all 17 products tested. Saturated mineral oils (MOSH) were also present in seven of the chocolate figures, the AK Upper Austria announced wednesday.
Consumers seeking to avoid these contaminants may consider purchasing organic options. Though, a higher price point does not guarantee the absence of MOSH. The austrian Agency for Health and nutritional Safety, conducting the tests on behalf of AK, found significantly elevated concentrations of unsaturated mineral oils in three of the tested Santas. On a positive note, ten products were found to be entirely free of residue.
Sources of Contamination
Mineral oils can infiltrate food products through various channels. These include printing inks from recycled waste paper packaging, jute bags treated with batching oils used to transport cocoa beans, and exhaust fumes from harvesting machinery. The Chamber of Labor noted that aromatic hydrocarbons,in particular,could potentially alter genetic material.
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Mineral Oil Contamination found in Chocolate Santas: What You Need to Know
Published: Nov.23, 2016
It is St. Nicholas Day, a time that typically involves treats, but a study by the Upper austria Chamber of Labor has found some very concerning facts about some of those treats.
This article breaks down the findings in an easy-to-understand Q&A format.
What was found in chocolate Santas?
The Upper Austria Chamber of Labor (AK OÖ) detected mineral oil contamination, specifically in chocolate Santas. Tests revealed the presence of both aromatic mineral oils (MOAH) and saturated mineral oils (MOSH).
Are these mineral oils harmful?
Yes,the article indicates that MOAH are *suspected carcinogens*,meaning they are potentially cancer-causing substances. The presence of MOSH was also noted. According to the source article, the Chamber of Labor mentioned that aromatic hydrocarbons, in particular, could alter genetic material.
How many chocolate Santas were tested?
17 chocolate Santas were tested in the study.
Were all chocolate Santas contaminated?
MOAH was found in *all* 17 products tested and MOSH was found in seven of the chocolate figures. However, ten products were entirely free of any residue.
What is the “bitter aftertaste” mentioned in the study?
Consumer advocates at the Upper Austria Chamber of labor (AK OÖ) reported a “bitter aftertaste” during their tests of the chocolate Santas. This may have been the first indication of the presence of mineral oil contamination.
What are the potential sources of contamination?
The article highlights several potential sources of mineral oil contamination in the chocolate Santas:
- Printing inks from recycled waste paper packaging
- Jute bags, treated with batching oils, used to transport cocoa beans
- Exhaust fumes from harvesting machinery
Can organic chocolate Santas avoid contamination?
It’s important to keep in mind that even though a higher price point does not guarantee the absence of MOSH, purchasing organic options may be a way to avoid these contaminants.
Did the study find any products entirely free of contamination?
Yes.Ten of the tested chocolate Santas were found to be entirely free of mineral oil residue.
What do all these terms and acronyms mean?
Here’s a quick glossary of terms used in the article:
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| MOAH | Aromatic mineral oils (suspected carcinogens) |
| MOSH | Saturated mineral oils |
| AK OÖ | Upper Austria Chamber of Labor |