Food Safety: How the Nevastane Range Addresses the Growing Challenge of MOSH and MOAH?

In a context where food safety has never been more central, the issue of chemical contamination is receiving increasing attention. Among these, mineral oil hydrocarbons – known by the acronyms MOSH and MOAH – are attracting keen interest from industry players, authorities and consumers.

MOSH (Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons) include saturated hydrocarbons of paraffinic or naphthenic origin, while MOAH (Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons) refer to aromatic hydrocarbons, which are considered of concern from a toxicological point of view. Long present in the industrial environment, these compounds are subject to increased scrutiny in food safety due to their potential health risks. They now represent a major risk management challenge in food manufacturing plants and are subject to enhanced control.

Faced with this major future challenge for the food industry, TotalEnergies Lubrifiants is taking action by adding new MOSH/MOAH pictograms to the technical data sheets of products in its Nevastane range dedicated to food-grade applications. The goal: to simplify understanding and risk management for users.

Compounds to Monitor

For several years, the potential presence of MOSH and MOAH in food has been a concern, notably following the publication of studies showing that they can migrate into food products from various sources: packaging, additives, processing aids and… lubricants.

European bodies, in particular the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), recommend monitoring the C10–C50 range of these compounds, i.e. the range of carbon chain lengths (number of carbon atoms in the molecules) most likely to migrate into food during industrial operations.

One important element deserves to be highlighted: certain compounds derived from fully synthetic oils – such as polyalphaolefins (PAO) – may appear in analyses as “MOSH analogues”. In other words, although they are not strictly speaking MOSH, standard measurement methods do not always allow them to be distinguished.

An Analytical Approach in Constant Evolution

So, how can this risk be measured? The reference method for detecting MOSH and MOAH in food is based on an analytical sequence combining liquid chromatography (LC), gas chromatography (GC) and a flame ionisation detector (FID). This so-called LC-GC-FID technique first separates MOAH from MOSH by LC, then qualifies and quantifies each fraction by GC-FID. LC-GC-FID ultimately produces a chromatogram (graphical representation) detailing the substances detected in the sample and their abundance.

Although designed for food analysis, this method is now commonly used by laboratories when testing lubricants. Results must, however, be interpreted with discernment. To date, quantification limits remain relatively high for the analysis of a lubricant matrix alone, generally below 1,000 mg/kg for the MOSH and MOAH fractions. However, laboratories are actively working on optimising this analytical method for lubricants, opening prospects for a gradual reduction in detection thresholds and more robust results.

Given the complexity of MOSH and MOAH mixtures, reading chromatograms remains complex due to the presence of interferences (for example, compounds of natural origin or similar hydrocarbons derived from lubricants). This LC-GC-FID method can thus lead to “false positive results”, such as the identification of MOSH when they are in fact PAO derived from synthetic lubricants, incorrectly detected as MOSH due to their similar analytical behaviour.

For Eric Toussaint, lubrication engineer and specialist on the subject at TotalEnergies Lubrifiants, the analysis must be interpreted in light of the nature of the lubricant tested, as “not all observed peaks necessarily correspond to MOSH”.

In line with EFSA’s recommendation, laboratories now use the advanced technology of qualitative two-dimensional chromatography called GC×GC-ToF-MS, which enables more precise characterisation of the MOSH and MOAH fractions. This technique allows, among other things, MOSH to be distinguished from PAO present in synthetic lubricants.

Interpreting Results

The market distinguishes several types of oils used in food-grade lubricants, which do not all behave the same way with respect to MOSH or MOAH:

• Standard non-food mineral oils are naturally MOSH and MOAH;
• White mineral oils certified NSF H1, highly refined, are considered free of MOAH and consist mainly of MOSH;
• Synthetic oils certified NSF H1 such as PAO, PAG¹, esters or silicones are lubricants free of both MOSH and MOAH.

However, in food products, PAO and MOSH are quantified together using the LC-GC-FID method. In the event of suspected contamination by a PAO lubricant, additional analysis by GC×GC will be necessary in order to differentiate MOSH from PAO.

On the side of lubricating greases (thickened lubricants), the challenge lies in the formulation, as certain soap-type thickening agents may contain MOSH.

Food Safety: A Demanding Reference Framework

In the food industry, lubricants used in risk zones must meet strict requirements. NSF H1 certification, issued by NSF International² and widely required by quality standards in the food industry, guarantees that the product is suitable in the event of accidental contact with food. It is based in particular on the requirements of FDA 21 CFR 178.3570, a reference framework governing the use of lubricants in incidental contact with food, within the limit of 10 ppm.

Manufacturers are also encouraged to integrate lubricants into their HACCP³ approach, in the same way as biological or physical hazards. Industrial best practices recommend in particular:

• identifying contact risk zones;
• favouring products with low migration potential;
• training operators in the use of food-grade lubricants;
• regularly monitoring developments in standards.

¹ Polyalkylene glycols

² Independent international certification and standardisation body specialising in public health, food safety and product quality.

³ Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points; a food safety management method based on hazard analysis and control of critical points.

Nevastane: A Tailored Response to Limit MOSH/MOAH Risks

To support manufacturers in this approach, TotalEnergies Lubrifiants has been offering the Nevastane range for many years, certified NSF H1, ISO 21469, Kosher, Halal, and free from GMOs and allergens. It includes:

• white mineral oils;
• synthetic lubricants (PAO, PAG, esters);
• high-performance greases;
• specific solutions for chains, high temperatures, or extreme applications.

In order to simplify understanding for users, TotalEnergies Lubrifiants now also displays two new pictograms on the technical data sheets of Nevastane products:

The “MOAH-free” pictogram indicates that the product is formulated without MOAH, in accordance with European recommendation 2017/84;

The “MOSH-MOAH-free” pictogram certifies that the product is formulated without MOSH and without MOAH, also in line with European recommendations.

“These pictograms allow immediate identification in plants: a simple but essential step to prevent selection errors, reduce the risk of contamination and strengthen regulatory compliance”, explains Denise NOVAES, market development engineer for the food industry segment at TotalEnergies Lubrifiants.

In food manufacturing plants, a lubricant mix-up – even accidental – can have major repercussions: batch withdrawals, audits, financial losses, reputational damage... The tightening of MOSH/MOAH requirements only increases the vigilance required.

With these new pictograms, the Nevastane range is part of a logic of transparency and simplification:

• improved readability for quality and maintenance managers;
• facilitated HACCP risk management;
• a product choice aligned with the growing requirements of authorities;
• potential reduction in costs related to non-conformities.

Anticipating to Better Secure

Although there is no specific regulation targeting MOSH/MOAH in the field of lubricants, the food sector operates in an environment where safety expectations are ever higher. In this context, the choice of lubricants plays a strategic role.

Synthetic lubricants such as those in the Nevastane range make it possible to drastically reduce the risk of transfer of MOSH and MOAH into food. Combined with a rigorous HACCP approach, they represent one of the most effective solutions in the face of current chemical risk management challenges.

With these new pictograms, TotalEnergies Lubrifiants takes a new step towards clearer, more transparent and accessible communication, for the benefit of all players in the food industry.