Mineral oils are hydrocarbon compounds (MOH: Mineral Oil Hydrocarbons). They can be subdivided into the two groups MOSH (Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons) and MOAH (Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons). Structurally related to MOSH are the so-called POSH (Polyolefin Oligomeric Saturated Hydrocarbons). Investigations conducted by the European Food Safety Authority found that MOH are present in almost all food products. In particular, in the case of dried food products with a large surface area, such as e.g. spices, flour, semolina, rice, breadcrumbs, or breakfast cereals, you cannot fully rule out the risk of contamination. Fatty foods as well, such as chocolate, butter, nuts, or cooking oils, could be contaminated with mineral oil hydrocarbons. These compounds can end up in the food products in a variety of ways. Potential paths of contamination include the packaging materials (recycled paper, printer ink, jute or sisal sacks treated with oils for waterproofing), lubricating oils from production or harvesting machines, food additives (anti-sticking agents, coatings, glossy agents, anti-dusting agents), gas emissions from the surrounding environment, and many more.

Furan and methylfurans are volatile compounds that can be formed when food is heated and can be carcinogenic in higher quantities. Due to their low body weight, the sensitive consumer group of infants and small children tend to consume more furan per kilogram of body weight than adults. The formation of furan during the preparation of food can be significantly minimized by using moderate preparation conditions ("gilding instead of charring").

From a toxicological point of view, the BfR recommends that no lead and cadmium should migrate from ceramics. With modern measurement technology, detection limits in the ppt range (ng/kg food (simulant)) are achieved. Accordingly, a detection limit of 10 µg lead/kg food (simulant) or 5 µg cadmium/kg food (simulant) must not be able to detect the migration of lead and cadmium from ceramic products.

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) are secondary plant materials that are mainly formed by certain plants, e.g. Senecio jacobaea, and serve to protect against predators. What protects one may harm another. Thus, certain PA's can damage the liver and should therefore be minimized according to the ALARA principle. A correspondingly increased risk exists, for example, with products such as tea, herbs, spices and food supplements, especially their herbal raw materials.

Tropane alkaloids and ergot alkaloids should also be monitored for the above-mentioned products.

Hygiene measures - In each operation, the staff has now been trained to wash their hands and disinfect regularly. Disinfection is possible at various points in the respective facilities and has become a basic requirement.

The topic of hygiene will certainly remain a central issue. In general, there is currently an increased use of disinfectants. For this reason, food producers in particular should use an appropriate HACCP concept to prevent the possible risks of product contamination. It is therefore particularly important for food producers to deal with this issue in a timely and sustainable manner.