Dietary exposure of general population to 3-monochloropropane-1, 2-diol esters from edible oils and oil-containing foods in Shanghai, China

Chloropropanols and their esters, particularly 3-MCPDE, are contaminants formed during food production, especially in edible oils and oil-processed foods. This study assessed dietary exposure to 3-MCPDE in Shanghai across nine food categories. A total of 2,102 food samples, including vegetable oils, fried dough sticks, fried foods, bread, biscuits, cakes, chocolates, chips, and infant formula, were analyzed using GC-MS. Fried dough sticks and vegetable oils had 100% detection rates, with mean concentrations of 0.329 mg/kg and 0.533 mg/kg, respectively. Biscuits also showed high contamination (0.438 mg/kg). Estimated daily intake (EDI) ranged from 0.393 to 3.269 μg/kg·bw/d. High-consumption infants (13-36 months) had an EDI of 2.598 μg/kg·bw/d, and high-consumption children (3-6 years) had an EDI of 3.269 μg/kg·bw/d, both exceeding EFSA’s tolerable daily intake (2 μg/kg·bw/d). High-consumption of oil-containing foods, such as infant formula and biscuits, was a major contributor for younger populations, while vegetable oils were the main source for older age groups. Most of the general population remained below the TDI, but high-consumption groups exceeded safe limits. • High-consumption infant formula infants exceed EFSA safety limits for 3-MCPDE. • Vegetable oils are the main contributors to 3-MCPDE in adults. • Biscuits and infant formula contribute significantly to 3-MCPDE in infants and children. • Strict EU standards could reduce high 3-MCPDE exposure in vulnerable groups.