We now know that, unfortunately, Many foods that we consume daily can contain small traces of chemicals unwanted, sometimes difficult to identify. Among these is theesanoa solvent derived from the oil used in the food industry, especially to extract soy, sunflower and rapeseed oils.
A Recent French survey He detected the presence of Esano residues in different common foods. The investigative unit of Radio France had access to the results of the analyzes conducted by two independent laboratories: the joint measurement center of the University of the Costa d’Opale di Dunkerque and a private laboratory. The analyzes concerned 54 products purchased in the stores of the north of France, including oils, margarines, butter, eggs and chicken meat. In almost half of the samples examined (25 out of 54) residues of Esano were found, showing that contamination is more widespread than it was thought.
In parallel, the researchers of the Arae (French National Institute for Agricultural, Food and Environmental Research) have conducted an in -depth study to understand how this solvent can arrive in products of animal origin. In their experiment, they observed that cows fed with feed treated with Esano produce milk that contains traces of this substance. This is the first scientific evidence of the direct transfer of Esano from animal feed to dairy products.
What is Esano and why it is found in food
The Esano is a solvent used mainly in the food industry to extract seed oils such as soy, sunflower and rapeseed. This process allows you to separate the oil from the seeds effectively and low cost but small quantities of esano can remain in extracted oils and, consequently, can also reach the foods that contain them such as margarine, snacks and industrial preparations.
Contamination is not limited only to oils and vegetable products. The extraction process produces what is called the “speechless panel” – the solid part that remains after the extraction of the oil – which is used for feeding the cattle. Many breeding animals, such as cows, chickens and pigs, are therefore fed with feed containing these residues treated with Esano.
As a result, the solvent present in the feed can move inside the body of animals, accumulating in milk, eggs and meat we then consume. In this way, Esano indirectly enters our diet through products of animal origin, amplifying its diffusion in the food chain.
This phenomenon, which had never been taken into consideration by the health authorities and legislators, is now pushing the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) to re -evaluate the toxicity of the Esan and the limits authorized for this solvent derived from oil in our foods.
In which foods were found of Esano’s residues
The French investigation analyzed 54 Products purchased in stores, including organic oils, margarines, butter, eggs and chicken pieces. As already mentioned, 25 of these foods, almost half, were containing Esano residues. Surprisingly, even some biological certified oils, in which the use of Esano is prohibited, have shown traces of this solvent.
Therefore, it is not only the seed oil that is potentially contaminated, but also products of animal origin derived from animals fed with feed containing these oils.
What are the health risks? The Esano is recognized as A neurotoxic substance and an endocrine interferent possible. This means that it can damage the nervous system and alter the functioning of hormones in the human body, especially if the exposure is prolonged or takes place in high doses.
The inhalation of Esano in industrial environments is already known as dangerous, while the risk deriving from hiring through food is subject to study and regulation. In Europe, the use of the Esano is regulated by precise limits on the residue allowed in the various foods, established to protect the health of consumers, limits which, however, could also be reviewed in the light of the new discoveries.
Regulation and possible solutions
Currently, the European directive 2009/32/EC establishes the maximum limits of Esano residue in food products, which vary according to the type of food. Recently, the European food security authority (EFSA) has started an in -depth revision of these limits, given that food exposure is more widespread than you thought.
Meanwhile, Some experts and associations ask to permanently prohibit the use of the Esano in the extraction processes of oilsreplacing it with safer and more sustainable alternative methods, already available on the market. In addition, it is proposed to make the indication on the label of the presence of Esano in food products mandatory, for greater transparency towards consumers.
What we can do as consumers
We do not know if there is also a similar situation in Italy as of the traces of Esano in foods, but we can still adopt some precautions to limit their exposure:
