Europe tightens restrictions on hydrocarbons in virgin olive oil

The European Commission is expected to tighten regulations this year, further restricting the amount of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) permitted in virgin and extra virgin olive oil. PAHs are organic compounds known to cause cancer and harmful mutations in mammals. The compounds occur naturally and are produced by burning coal, oil, natural gas, wood, waste materials and tobacco. Current European regulations limit the amount of several PAHs in olive oil to less than ten micrograms per gram. For benzo(a)pyrene, one of the most common PAHs, the limit is two micrograms per gram. Virgin olive oil should ideally be free of PAHs. However, contamination can occur either directly during milling or indirectly through the olives’ exposure to smoke or air pollution. A significant source of contamination is the pruning of trees during the olive harvesting process. The lubricants used in chainsaws contain PAHs. PHAs are also found in the chemicals used to produce jute sacks, which are ...