Occurrence of Mineral Oil Hydrocarbons in Feed and Milk: Implications for Sustainable Dairy Production

Mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) are increasingly reported in agri-food systems, but their presence in dairy production is not yet fully characterized. This study investigated the occurrence of mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) in feed and milk collected from three dairy farms with different production conditions, with the aim of supporting a system-wide interpretation of contaminant presence. Samples were analyzed using confirmed chromatographic methods, and the results were descriptively evaluated to express variability both within and between farms. Both feed and milk samples showed heterogeneous contamination patterns, highlighting the influence of environmental exposure, technological activities and biological variations, rather than a direct linear transfer. To help the interpretation, a conceptual framework linking environment, feed, animals and milk was proposed. From a sustainability point of view, the results highlight the importance of preventive monitoring and farm-level management strategies to reduce contaminant pressure in dairy production. Overall, the study furnishes empirical evidence that contributes to a broader understanding of contaminant occurrence and supports integrated approaches for food safety and sustainable dairy production.