2019 AOAC Furans WG Book

Background on Furans

Furans and Alkyl Furans • Food processing contaminants formed during thermal  processing of foods • Found in a variety of foods, such as coffee, canned and  jarred foods (including baby foods), cereals etc. • Furan is hepatotoxic, possibly carcinogenic to humans  (IARC Group 2B) and potentially genotoxic   (similar health risk concerns raised for certain alkyl furans)

furan          2‐methylfuran          3‐methylfuran        2,5‐dimethylfuran              2‐pentylfuran  

Background on Furans

Exposure (EFSA, 2017) Exposure to furan – Main contributors:

• Infants ( highest exposure ): Ready‐to‐eat meals • Other children: Grains and grain‐based products • Adults: Coffee ( highest concentrations ) Inclusion of alkyl furans in the assessment can  significantly increase the exposure: e.g. , 2‐methylfuran concentration in coffee is about  4‐times higher than furan concentration