Spanish Oils and Fats Refiner Launches New Products with Low Levels of 3-MCPD Esters

Spanish oils and fats refiner Lipidos Santiga (LIPSA) has launched a new product portfolio with low levels of 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD) esters, a contaminant formed during vegetable oil processing that is linked to cancer, Oils & Fats International reported last month.  LIPSA’s new products had maximum 3-MCPD values of 1ppm and 0.5pmm for oils or oil mixes, and 0.35ppm for oils and oil mixes used in infant nutrition. In addition, since February, all of LIPSA’s refined oils had glycidol ester (GE) values of less than 1ppm or 0.1ppm for infant nutrition applications, to comply with EU legislation in force.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded in 2016 that 3-MCPD was a potential health concern and that GE was genotoxic and carcinogenic. It set a tolerable daily intake of 0.8ìg/kg (microgramme/kg) of body weight for 3-MCPD in an updated scientific opinion published on 10 January.

LIPSA supplies oils and fats products for food, feed and industrial markets from its 700,000 tons/year refinery in Barcelona and 250,000 tons/year plant in Huelva. The company has Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and International Sustainability Carbon Certification (ISCC) certifications, as part of its commitment to supply sustainable palm oil, and also processes and sells organic oils and fats.