Els Van Hoeck

Sciensano · Organic contaminants and additives

The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials (FCM) assessed the safety of the substances ‘wax, rice bran, oxidised’ and ‘wax, rice bran, oxidised, calcium salt’, used as additives up to 0.3% in polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polylactic acid (PLA) and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) in contact with all foo...

Cereulide is an emetic toxin produced by some strains of Bacillus cereus. This bacterial toxin, a cyclic 1.2 kDa dodecadepsipeptide, is stable to heat and acids and causes nausea and vomiting when ingested via contaminated food. This work aimed to develop and validate a targeted analytical method applying liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrome...

Since the ban on single-use plastic articles in Europe, the food contact material (FCM) industry has been forced to move to more sustainable alternatives. Paper and board FCM are convenient alternatives but must be safe for consumers. This study aims to investigate potential migrations of various substances (e.g., plasticizers, photoinitiators, pri...

Despite the extensive use of flavoring substances in food, their monitoring for regulatory purposes is currently limited. This raises public health issues, especially as some compounds are prohibited due to (geno)toxicity. A solvent-assisted flavor evaporation (SAFE) method coupled with GC/MS (SIM) was validated here for diverse water-based beverag...

The food contact materials (FCMs) industry is forced to develop substitute materials due to constant pressure from consumers and authorities to reduce fossil-based plastic. Several alternatives are available on the market. However, market share, trends, and consumer preferences are still unclear. Therefore, this study aims to provide an overview of...

Pesticide residues in tea and herbal tea often exceed EU maximum residue limits. Consideration of the transfer of pesticides from the leaves (called transfer factors) to the brew is essential to assess the associated risk. This study identified infusion parameters influencing the transfer behaviour of 61 pesticides and elaborated a predictive model...

Apple and apple derivatives (e.g., juices, puree) are the most important foodstuffs contaminated with patulin (PAT) in the human diet. To routinely monitor these foodstuffs and ensure that the PAT levels are below the maximum permitted levels, a method using liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has been developed....

The objective of the present study was to assess the dietary intake of steviol glycosides in the Belgian population and to conduct a risk assessment by comparing the estimated intakes to the acceptable daily intake (ADI). A tiered approach was adopted in this study. First, a Tier 2 assessment was performed using maximum permitted levels. Next, the...

Background Steviol glycosides, constituents of Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, are high-intensity sweeteners that enhance glucose-induced insulin secretion and decrease hyperglycemia in mice and rats. Given the extreme sweetness and bitter aftertaste of these compounds, the non-tasting aglycon steviol might be a promising alternative food additive that...

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are high production volume chemicals composed of complex mixtures of thousands of compounds that have been applied widely as flame retardants and plasticizers. CPs have demonstrated toxic and bioaccumulative properties, while evidence suggests dietary intake to constitute a major pathway for human exposure. This study re...

Background and Objectives Rebaudioside A, a steviol glycoside, is deglycosylated by intestinal microflora prior to the absorption of steviol and conjugation to steviol glucuronide. While glucose-lowering properties are observed for rebaudioside A in mice, they have been attributed to the metabolites steviol and steviol glucuronide. We aimed to char...

Purpose Within the European Life–VERMEER project (ENV/IT/000167), the overall objective was to develop software platforms for risk assessment by combining tools for exposure assessment with in silico models for hazard predictions to identify substances of high risk and propose safer alternatives. Several case studies were performed including one on...

A total of 120 spices and herbs bought on the Belgian market have been analysed for occurrence of the four EU regulated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (ΣPAH4). Samples were sorted in three groups according to their use: traditional spices, exotic spices, and herbs. Benzo[a]pyrene has been detected in 56% of samples, while ΣPAH4 were found in 96%...

Food additives are used in numerous food products and are characterised by various physicochemical properties. In European member states, their use in food is regulated by the European Union. This work aimed to develop an accurate and high-throughput analytical method enabling the simultaneous determination of additives from different functional cl...

Evaluating the migration of chemicals from food contact materials (FCM) into food is a key step in the safety assessment of such materials. In this paper, a simple mechanistic model describing the migration of chemicals from FCM to food was combined with quantitative property-property relationships (QPPRs) for the prediction of diffusion coefficien...

This study reports on concentrations of short- and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs and MCCPs, respectively) in a wide range of food samples (n = 211) purchased in Belgium during 2020. Samples were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and quantified using chlorine content calibration. ∑SCCPs were present above LOQ in 25...

In accordance with the International Standard Organization ISO 17043, two proficiency tests (PTs) for the simultaneous determination of aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2); deoxynivalenol; fumonisins FB1, FB2, and B3; ochratoxin A, the T-2 toxin; and the HT-2 toxin were conducted in 2019 and 2020 using cornflakes and rusk flours that were prepared...

The regulatory landscape of flavorings is evolving, thereby putting pressure on control laboratories to develop analytical methods for a wide range of compounds in various types of food and drinks. In order to improve the monitoring of flavoring substances, a versatile and accurate analytical method using the solvent-assisted flavor evaporation (SA...

The development of incurred reference materials containing citrinin (CIT) and their successful application in a method validation study (MVS) in order to harmonize CIT determination in food and food supplements are demonstrated. CIT-contaminated materials made of red yeast rice (RYR), wheat flour, and Ginkgo biloba leaves (GBL), as well as food sup...

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) and their corresponding N-oxides (PANOs) are natural protoxins biosynthesised by many plant species and are responsible for occasional fatal intoxication outbreaks due to the consumption of contaminated food. However, only in rare cases has the origin of the contamination been determined. Although their presence has be...

Recently collected dietary exposure data on mineral oil saturated (MOSH) and aromatic (MOAH) hydrocarbons were used to evaluate the risks associated with exposure to mineral oil through food for the Belgian population. For MOSH, the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) value of 19 mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹ based on the hepatic inflammation-associated gr...

Pork-derived products can contribute to the overall ochratoxin A (OTA) intake via carry-over from contaminated feed or via mould spoilage of meat products (salami, dry-cured ham, sausage). An analytical method using liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed and validated in accordance with the specifications laid...

Fusarium mycotoxins are fungal contaminants found in different crops intended for human and animal consumption. Due to the co-occurrence of several of mycotoxins, the present study aimed at examining the transfer of these toxins into tissues of broiler chickens and eggs of laying hens fed contaminated diets. After an adaptation period, the chickens...

This work describes the optimization and validation of an analytical method for the quantification of short- and medium-chained chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs and MCCPs, respectively) in a range of food matrices using gas chromatography-electron capture negative ionization-mass spectrometry (GC-ECNI/MS). A dispersive solid phase extraction (dSPE) met...

In Belgium, an official control plan was established in 2016 to detect the potential presence of an unauthorized genetically modified (GM) Bacillus subtilis RASFF2014.1249 strain in commercialized feed additive vitamin B2 products. To this end, two real-time PCR markers specific to this unauthorized genetically modified microorganism (GMM), named U...

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are a complex group of organic compounds, consisting of at least three fused aromatic rings, which are formed during combustion of organic matter. While some PAHs have been reported to have carcinogenic and/or mutagenic properties, another possible negative health impact is their endocrine disrupting potential...

A large number of computer-based prediction methods to determine the potential of chemicals to induce mutations at the gene level has been developed over the last decades. Conversely, only few such methods are currently available to predict potential structural and numerical chromosome aberrations. Even fewer of these are based on the preferred tes...

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) and related N-oxides (PANOs) are secondary plant metabolites thought to be found in approximately 3% of the flowering plants worldwide and exhibiting hepatotoxic properties to humans. As a consequence, beehive products are prone to be contaminated with those compounds by bees foraging PA-producing plants. Downstream co...

Recently, presence of mineral oil in numerous foods has been detected. The analysis of mineral oil in food is convoluted since it comprises MOSH (saturated hydrocarbons) and variable amounts of mainly alkylated MOAH (aromatic hydrocarbons). Both fractions have a different toxicological profile and therefore they need to be assessed separately. For...

Paperboard used as packaging, a non-inert material, can transfer chemicals into food. Over the years, endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), such as NonylPhenols (NPs), BisPhenol A (BPA) and phthalates have been shown to migrate from packaging materials into food. Due to chronic exposure and mixture effects of these EDCs, they could cause health ef...

The authors regret to inform that an error has been detected in the 1st sentence of Section 3.4.4.1. Green and black teas: “The distributions of PAs concentration ranges in green (N = 39) and black teas (N = 39) were comparable: respectively 15% and 10% of the samples contained less than 50 ng/g of PAs/PANOs” should have been “The distributions of...

Recently, migration of mineral oil components from food contact materials into various foods has been reported. The analysis of mineral oil in food is complicated since it consists of mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) comprising a complex mixture of linear, branched and cyclic compounds and variable amounts of mineral oil aromatic hydrocarb...

This international symposium provides an interdisciplinary forum for communicating scientific advances and emerging issues of concern to the environment and human health. Typically, 800-1000 delegates are expected, representing more than 800 abstracts presented in five parallel sessions. The program covers a broad range of core topics on analytical...

Two sample preparation methods were developed (graphitised carbon and C18 solid phase extraction clean-up) and validated in house using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) for the determination of 30 pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in salads, herbs, tea, herbals teas as well as tea infusion and ice-tea beverages. Total PAs conc...

In silico methodologies, such as (quantitative) structure-activity relationships ((Q)SARs), are available to predict a wide variety of toxicological properties and biological activities for structurally diverse substances. To obtain insights in the scientific value of these predictions, the capacity of the prediction models to generate (sufficientl...

A method using Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry (IM-MS) and collision induced dissociation (CID) coupled with micro flow Ultra High Performance Chromatography (UPLC-IM-MS) has been developed to screen for steviol glycosides. Travelling wave ion mobility was used to determine rotationally averaged collision cross sections in nitrogen buffer gas (TWCCS...

Up till now, no harmonized EU regulation exists on chemicals used in coatings for food contact materials (FCM). Therefore, these substances need to comply with the general provisions of EU Regulation 1935/2004 and, if present, with national legislation. Different ‘inventory lists’ of compounds that might be present in coatings are available, but fo...

Packaging materials are found to represent a source of contamination through the migration of substances from the packaging into the foodstuff. As a response to an increasing number of food-safety issues, research on the migration of chemicals from packaging materials into foodstuffs is being conducted. Moreover, packaging materials are tested for...

Contaminants in food packaging are a challenge of our time since the packaging material itself has been found to represent a source of food contamination through the migration of substances from the packaging. Before first use, packaging materials destined for the packaging of dry foods can be evaluated by performing migration experiments with the...

Over the last years, more stringent safety requirements for an increasing number of chemicals across many regulatory fields (e.g. industrial chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, …) have triggered the need for an efficient screening strategy to prioritize the substances of highest concern. In this context, alternative methods such as in sili...

Endocrine activity of 65 compounds migrating from polycarbonate replacement plastic baby bottles was assessed using in vitro cell based assays (reporter gene assays) involving 7 nuclear receptors, i.e. human steroid hormones receptors (oestrogen, androgen, progesterone and glucocorticoid receptors), human thyroid beta and peroxisome proliferator-ac...

Following the recent prohibition on the use of BPA for the production of polycarbonate (PC) baby bottles in the European Union, baby bottles made of alternative materials, such as polypropylene, polyethersulphone, polyamide, Tritan™ or silicone, have appeared in the market. An initial study done in previous work applying a liquid-liquid extraction...

Since the European Commission prohibited the use of bisphenol A in the production of polycarbonate (PC) baby bottles, many other materials have replaced PC for the manufacture of this type of food contact materials. In the present study, the potential migration risks associated with these alternative materials were investigated. First, all substanc...

Food contact materials (FCM) are estimated to be the largest source of food contamination. Apart from plastics, the most commonly used FCM are made of printed paper and board. Unlike their plastic counterparts, these are not covered by a specific European regulation. Several contamination issues have raised concerns towards potential adverse health...

Photoinitiators are widely used to cure ink on packaging materials used in food applications such as cardboards for the packaging of dry foods. Conventional migration testing for long term storage at ambient temperature with Tenax® was applied to paperboard for the following photoinitiators: benzophenone (BP), 4,4ʹ-bis(diethylamino)benzophenone (DE...

After the prohibition of Bisphenol-A-containing polycarbonate baby bottles in the European Union, alternative materials, such as polypropylene, polyethersulphone, Tritan™ copolyester, etc. have appeared on the market. Based on an initial screening and in vitro toxicity assessment, the most toxic migrating compounds were selected to be monitored and...

Herbal medicines and food supplements intended as slimming aids are increasingly gaining popularity worldwide, especially for treating obesity. In this study, an ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to photodiode array detection (UPLC-PDA) and an ultra-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) method were developed to...

Photoinitiators are widely used to cure ink on packaging materials used in food applications such as carton boards and can contaminate the food by migrating into the food. In this contribution, a fast and reliable confirmation method for the determination of photoinitiators in dry foodstuffs is described: benzophenone (BP), 4,4′‐bis(diethylamino)be...

Due to the worldwide concern that bisphenol A might act as an endocrine disruptor, alternative materials for polycarbonate (PC) have been introduced on the European market. However, PC-replacement products might also release substances of which the toxicological profile - including their genotoxic effects - has not yet been characterized. Because a...

This work presents a strategy for elucidation of unknown migrants from plastic food contact materials (baby bottles) using a combination of analytical techniques in an untargeted approach. First, gas chromatography (GC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) in electron ionisation mode was used to identify migrants through spectral library matching. Whe...

LC-MS(n);geroprotective agent;anti-cancer agent

In 2011, the European Union prohibited the production of polycarbonate (PC) baby bottles due to the toxic effects of the PC monomer bisphenol-A. Therefore, baby bottles made of alternative materials, e.g. polypropylene (PP) or polyethersulphone (PES), are currently marketed. The principal aim of the study was the identification of major compounds m...

Photoinitiators are widely used to cure ink on packaging materials used in food applications such as plastic films or cartonboards. In migration studies, food simulants are very often used to simulate food, like Tenax(®) which is the simulant for dry foodstuffs. In this paper, a fast and reliable confirmation method for the determination of the fol...

An important group of suspected illegal cosmetics consists of skin bleaching products, which are usually applied to the skin of the face, hands and décolleté for local depigmentation of hyper pigmented regions or more importantly, for a generalized reduction of the skin tone. These cosmetic products are suspected to contain illegal active substance...

Benzophenone (BP) and 4-methylbenzophenone (4MBP) are photo-initiators that are generally used to cure ink on carton boards. In this contribution, a fast and reliable method for the determination of BP and 4MBP in breakfast cereals is described. The sample was extracted ultrasonically using a mixture of dichloromethane and acetonitrile (1:1), follo...

A series of human estrogen receptor (hER) mimics were synthesised. On the basis of the knowledge on the structure of the hormone binding domain of the hER, three different peptide chains were constructed onto a tripodal scaffold. By using a fully automated solid-phase synthesis protocol, 120 members with known identity were synthesised in only a we...

Since World War II, the world has witnessed a large increase in the production of chemicals. Some of these chemicals, like pesticides, were designed for wide spread use. Others, like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), were rather accidentally released into the environment by leakages or waste dumping. At that time, little or no attention was paid to...

A multiresidue method for screening endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and pharmaceuticals in aqueous samples is presented. Four 10-mL aliquots of water were taken for stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) and they were treated in the following way. In sample one, in situ derivatization was performed with acetic acid anhydride to improve the extra...

This article presents a method employing stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) with in situ derivatization, in combination with either thermal or liquid desorption on-line coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the analysis of fluoxetine in plasma samples. Ethyl chloroformate was employed as derivatizing agent producing symmetrical peaks...

Stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) was applied to the enrichment of pyrethroids in water samples. Analysis was done by retention time-locked GC/MS in selected ion-monitoring (SIM) mode using trans-permethrin-d(6) as internal standard. Thermal desorption (TD) was performed in a classical split/splitless inlet equipped with a flip-top sealing system...

Stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) was applied to the enrichment of pyrethroids in water samples. Analysis was done by retention time-locked GC/MS in selected ion-monitoring (SIM) mode using trans-permethrin-d6 as internal standard. Thermal desorption (TD) was performed in a classical split/splitless inlet equipped with a flip-top sealing system a...

The automated, miniaturized, and solvent-free sample preparation method for determination of organic compounds in a solute-type combination matrix is discussed. The various characteristics of sample preparation methods include automation, miniaturization, and online and solventless sample preparation with high-throughput capability. These character...