{"hq_id":"hq-p-fod-000111","name":"Food-Grade Mineral Oil Contamination (MOSH/MOAH in Packaging, Dry Foods, Chocolate)","category":{"primary":"food_contact","secondary":"packaging","tags":["mineral oil","MOSH","MOAH","recycled cardboard","packaging","contamination","chocolate","dry food"]},"product_tier":"FOD","overall_risk_level":"low","description":"Mineral oil hydrocarbons — MOSH (saturated) and MOAH (aromatic) — migrate from recycled cardboard packaging into dry foods (rice, pasta, cereals, chocolate, infant formula). Source: newspaper printing inks in recycled fiber. MOAH: contains 3-7 ring polycyclic aromatic compounds — genotoxic concern. EFSA (2012): MOAH in food is a potential health concern. EU: proposed regulation with maximum levels (draft 2022, not yet finalized). No US FDA regulation or limit. German Federal Institute (BfR): recommends MOAH <0.5 mg/kg in food. Internal bags/liners: functional barrier preventing migration from outer cardboard to food — but many products lack this barrier. Chocolate: particularly affected (high fat content absorbs MOAH).","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"moderate_to_high","synthesis_confidence":0.715,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_child","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":0.977,"vulnerability_escalated":true,"escalation_reason":"Child exposure group","compounds_resolved":2,"compounds_total":2,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"infants (formula in cardboard), heavy dry food consumers, chocolate consumers","overall_risk":"low","primary_concerns":["MOAH: genotoxic concern (3-7 ring aromatic hydrocarbons)","Recycled cardboard packaging: primary migration source","No US FDA regulation (EU draft regulation pending)","MOSH accumulates in human tissue (liver, lymph nodes)"],"exposure_routes":"Oral (dietary — mineral oil migration from recycled cardboard into dry foods)"},"exposure":{"routes":["oral"],"contact_types":["oral_direct"],"users":["adult","child"],"duration":"minutes","frequency":"daily","scenarios":["Dry foods in recycled cardboard: rice, pasta, cereals (MOSH/MOAH migration)","Chocolate in recycled cardboard (high fat = high MOAH absorption)","Infant formula in cardboard box (inner bag barrier critical)","Long shelf-life products: more migration time = higher levels"],"notes":"EFSA (2012): MOAH is a potential concern due to genotoxic PAH-like compounds. MOSH: accumulates in human tissue (liver, lymph nodes) — significance unclear. EU draft regulation: MOAH max 0.5 mg/kg (2 mg/kg for MOSH) — expected adoption 2024-2025. Functional barrier: inner bag/pouch prevents migration from outer recycled cardboard. Virgin cardboard or plastic packaging: no mineral oil contamination. Swiss regulation: world's first MOSH/MOAH regulation (2017) — requires functional barrier or virgin paperboard. Foodwatch testing: regularly finds MOAH in European food products despite industry awareness."},"consumer_guidance":{"usage_warning":"Transfer dry foods from cardboard to glass or metal containers after purchase (reduces ongoing migration). Choose products with inner bags/pouches inside cardboard box (functional barrier). EU-sourced products will comply with MOSH/MOAH limits when regulation finalizes. Chocolate: keep in original wrapper inside cardboard (wrapper is barrier). No practical way for consumers to test — this is a packaging/regulatory issue.","safer_alternatives":["Transfer dry foods from cardboard to glass/metal containers","Choose products with inner bag/pouch inside cardboard (barrier)","Glass or metal packaging for dry goods (no mineral oil migration)","EU-sourced products (stricter regulation pending)"]},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"EU / Switzerland","regulation":"EU Draft MOSH/MOAH Regulation + Swiss Ordinance","citation":"EU Draft Regulation (pending); Swiss SR 817.023.21","requirements":"EU draft: MOAH max 0.5 mg/kg, MOSH max 2 mg/kg in food (expected 2024-2025). Switzerland: requires functional barrier or virgin paperboard for food contact (2017). US FDA: no regulation or guidance for MOSH/MOAH. BfR (Germany): recommends MOAH <0.5 mg/kg.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":"Pending (EU)","enforcing_agency":"EU Commission (pending) / Swiss FSVO","penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":[],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":null,"pictograms":[],"hazard_statements":[],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":true,"disposal_guidance":"Cardboard: recycling (the recycling loop is actually the source of contamination — printing inks persist through recycling).","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"varies"},"formulation":{"form":"varies","key_ingredients":[],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000047","compound_name":null,"role":"contaminant","typical_concentration":null},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000010","compound_name":null,"role":"contaminant","typical_concentration":null}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["food-grade mineral oil contamination (mosh/moah in packaging, dry foods, chocolate)"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Gerber Rice Cereal","manufacturer":"Nestlé","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Leading infant rice cereal"},{"brand":"Earth's Best","manufacturer":"Hain Celestial","market_position":"premium","notable":"Organic infant cereal"},{"brand":"Lundberg","manufacturer":"Lundberg Family Farms","market_position":"premium","notable":"Organic rice products"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-25"},{"type":"regulation","title":"EU Draft MOSH/MOAH Regulation + Swiss Ordinance (EU Draft Regulation (pending); Swiss SR 817.023.21)","jurisdiction":"EU / Switzerland","citation":"EU Draft Regulation (pending); Swiss SR 817.023.21","id":"src_0f459447"},{"id":"iarc_71_toluene","type":"regulatory","title":"IARC Monographs Volume 71: Toluene","year":1999,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000047"},{"id":"atsdr_toluene","type":"report","title":"ATSDR Toxicological Profile for Toluene","year":2017,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000047"},{"id":"iarc_100f","type":"regulatory","title":"IARC Monographs Volume 100F: Benzene","year":2012,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000010"},{"id":"epa_benzene_iris","type":"regulatory","title":"US EPA IRIS Assessment: Benzene","year":1998,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000010"},{"type":"regulatory","title":"US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)","jurisdiction":"USA","id":"src_82d1cfcd","extraction":"description_reference"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-13T22:22:52.961Z"}}