The latest information on new EU rules on MOAH, expected to apply from 1 January 2027.
Part I – New maximum levels for MOAH, and recommendations on MOSH and MOAH
Veerle Vanheusden, Directorate-General for Health & Food Safety, European Commission.
Part IIA and Part IIB – Preparing for MOH maximum levels
Claus-Michael Brieber, Senior Quality Expert Food, Food Safety First
This June 2026 webinar provided the latest information on the new European Union (EU) rules on mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) that are expected to apply from 1 January 2027.
Oilseeds and oil fruits, animal and vegetable fats and oils, tree nuts, pulses, cereals, milk, dairy products, cocoa beans, cocoa products, spices, dried herbs, dry tea and herbal infusions, food supplements, food additives, foods for infants and young children, compound and processed foods containing these ingredients
New EU rules establishing maximum levels for mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) have been approved in May 2026 by EU Member States, and are expected to be formally adopted by the EU in the second half of 2026. Most maximum levels will apply from 1 January 2027, but a later application date is likely for some products.
Mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) comprise a diverse group of chemical compounds. They are mainly derived from crude oil, but they can also be produced synthetically from coal, natural gas, and biomass. MOH find their way into the food supply chain mostly during harvest, transport, processing, or packaging; environmental contamination can also be a source. This group of substances contains genotoxic carcinogens (substances that cause DNA mutations and for which there is no safe exposure threshold or dose), creating health risks for consumers.
In 2023, the European Food Safety Authority updated its risk assessment on MOH in food (EFSA 2023). The regulatory focus is mainly on MOAH, which EFSA considered to have potential genotoxic and carcinogenic activity.
Most maximum levels will apply from 1 January 2027, but a later application date is likely for some products.
EFSA (2023) Update of the risk assessment of mineral oil hydrocarbons in food. EFSA Journal, 21(9): e08215.