Risks for public health related to the presence of furan and methylfurans in food.

ABSTRACT: The European Commission asked EFSA for a scientific evaluation on the risk to human health of the presence of furan and methylfurans (2-methylfuran, 3-methylfuran and 2,5-dimethylfuran) in food. They are formed in foods during thermal processing and can co-occur. Furans are produced from several precursors such as ascorbic acid, amino acids, carbohydrates, unsaturated fatty acids and carotenoids, and are found in a variety of foods including coffee and canned and jarred foods. Regarding furan occurrence, 17,056 analytical results were used in the evaluation. No occurrence data were received on methylfurans. The highest exposures to furan were estimated for infants, mainly from ready-to-eat meals. Grains and grain-based products contribute most for toddlers, other children and adolescents.

SUBMITTER: EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7009982 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature