Health risk assessment of elements leaching from a filter used in deep fat fryers

Client

The UK manufacturer of a ceramic oil filter.

Background

Bibra was asked to assess the health risks, to consumers of fried foods, posed by 14 elements potentially leaching from a ceramic filter added to cooking oil in deep fat fryers.

Project Goals

Calculate worst-case exposures for consumers of fried foods for the 14 elements from analytical data provided by the client. Use relevant Expert Group reports to identify the critical health effects and available health criteria values (with focus on the oral route) for the leaching elements, and assess the associated health risks for consumers.

Approach

Bibra considered analytical reports to identify the elements leaching from the filter, and to calculate worst-case (oral) intakes for consumers of fried food. We used TRACE, our in-house database, to identify Expert Group reports available on the elements of interest. From these, we identified the key oral health criteria values (e.g. acceptable daily intakes (ADIs)) and toxicological endpoints. We considered these data alongside our worst-case exposure estimates to determine the risks to consumer health presented by these elements leaching from the oil filter.

Project Outcome

Bibra provided the client with an overall conclusion on the safety of the 14 potential leachables, as well as a summary statement for their website.

Project Leaders

Pete Watts
Beth O’Connell

• Selection of key extractables for leachables study
• All
• Preparation of hazard and risk assessments on a number of ingredients in oral healthcare products