The reason was the detection of too high concentration (almost twice the norm) of some substances in this batch of goods, according to the ANSA press release. As a result of the actions of the agency’s inspectors, “the non-compliant palm oil was not allowed for sale”. The consignment will be returned to the producer or destroyed. The decision will be made “by the importing company together with ANSA inspectors and under their strict supervision.”
The 3-MCPD substances detected in the palm oil consignment are process contaminants formed mainly during the high-temperature refining of vegetable oils and fats. The risk is that the natural composition of palm oil (especially its high glyceride content) makes it particularly susceptible to the formation of these substances during the deodorization process.
According to the scientific opinion of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), process contaminants such as 3-MCPD and its esters pose a risk to human health. Therefore, their content in food products is strictly regulated by Government Decree No. 724/2024 on the approval of the Sanitary Regulation on maximum permissible levels of certain contaminants in food products.
