EU Cracks Down on Mineral Oil in Food Imports
What happened
The EU is tightening food safety controls with a new focus on detecting mineral oil contamination, which can affect imported grains like rice. A new technical guide illustrates the EU's push to find hidden petroleum-based residues, while a new regulation updates procedural standards for imports. This signals heightened scrutiny and a need for exporters to provide enhanced documentation and supply chain transparency.
Why it matters
The European Food Safety Authority has flagged Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH) as potentially genotoxic and carcinogenic, prompting the new regulations. The rules, expected to apply from 2027, will set maximum MOAH levels at a stringent 0.5 mg/kg for dry, low-fat products such as rice. Contamination often originates from recycled paper and cardboard packaging, printing inks, and lubricants used in processing machinery. Jute and sisal bags, commonly used for transport, have also been identified as a significant source of MOAH contamination, necessitating a full supply-chain review for exporters. Vietnam, a key competitor, is strategically shifting its export focus from volume to value, planning to increase the share of high-quality and fragrant rice to approximately 75% of its total exports in 2026. The country also intends to gradually reduce its total rice exports to 4 million tons by 2030 to target higher-end market segments. Meanwhile, India, the world's largest rice exporter, is forecast to increase shipments in the 2025-26 marketing year after lifting export curbs. However, geopolitical instability in the Middle East is creating shipping risks, prompting Indian export feder
Key numbers
- The rules, expected to apply from 2027, will set maximum MOAH levels at a stringent 0.5 mg/kg for dry, low-fat products such as rice.
- Vietnam, a key competitor, is strategically shifting its export focus from volume to value, planning to increase the share of high-quality and fragrant rice to approximately 75% of its total exports in 2026.
- The country also intends to gradually reduce its total rice exports to 4 million tons by 2030 to target higher-end market segments.
- Meanwhile, India, the world's largest rice exporter, is forecast to increase shipments in the 2025-26 marketing year after lifting export curbs.
What happens next
- The rules, expected to apply from 2027, will set maximum MOAH levels at a stringent 0.5 mg/kg for dry, low-fat products such as rice.
- The country also intends to gradually reduce its total rice exports to 4 million tons by 2030 to target higher-end market segments.
Quick answers
What happened in EU Cracks Down on Mineral Oil in Food Imports?
The EU is tightening food safety controls with a new focus on detecting mineral oil contamination, which can affect imported grains like rice. A new technical guide illustrates the EU's push to find hidden petroleum-based residues, while a new regulation updates procedural standards for imports. This signals heightened scrutiny and a need for exporters to provide enhanced documentation and supply chain transparency.
Why does EU Cracks Down on Mineral Oil in Food Imports matter?
The European Food Safety Authority has flagged Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH) as potentially genotoxic and carcinogenic, prompting the new regulations. The rules, expected to apply from 2027, will set maximum MOAH levels at a stringent 0.5 mg/kg for dry, low-fat products such as rice. Contamination often originates from recycled paper and cardboard packaging, printing inks, and lubricants used in processing machinery. Jute and sisal bags, commonly used for transport, have also been identified as a significant source of MOAH contamination, necessitating a full supply-chain review for exporters. Vietnam, a key competitor, is strategically shifting its export focus from volume to value, planning to increase the share of high-quality and fragrant rice to approximately 75% of its total exports in 2026. The country also intends to gradually reduce its total rice exports to 4 million tons by 2030 to target higher-end market segments. Meanwhile, India, the world's largest rice exporter, is forecast to increase shipments in the 2025-26 marketing year after lifting export curbs. However, geopolitical instability in the Middle East is creating shipping risks, prompting Indian export feder
