Harmful contaminants found in almost all cooking oils tested, Hong Kong’s Consumer Council reveals

Forty-seven out of 50 samples of cooking oil were found to contain at least one harmful contaminant, with 40 per cent of them having three types or more, according to Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog.

The Consumer Council released its findings on Monday, revealing that 60 per cent of the samples contained 3-MCPD, a potentially carcinogenic chemical, although the levels did not exceed European Union safety standards.

Exposure to the chemical over a prolonged period had adversely affected the kidney functions, central nervous system and male reproductive system of laboratory animals, said Lui Wing-cheong, vice-chairman of the council’s research and testing committee.

“As cooking oil is an indispensable ingredient in every day cooking, manufacturers should have the responsibility to ensure their quality and safety, and prevent any harmful contaminants, so as to safeguard the health of consumers,” he said.

But Lui noted that the sample with the highest 3-MCPD content, namely Carrington Farms’ coconut and avocado cooking oil blend, did not exceed EU standards, and would probably not pose health risks when consumed in regular amounts.

The agent of Carrington Farms, the company behind the product made in an American factory, said it had provided the council with inspection results, adding there were no United States requirements for 3-MCPD content.

It said tests would be carried out in the future to ensure “standards were met before [the product left] the factory”.

Almost 60 per cent, or 29 samples, were also found to contain genotoxic carcinogen glycidol, with two brands exceeding EU standards. These were SuperFoodLab coconut cooking oil and Yu Pin King pure peanut oil, found with 1,100 micrograms and 2,000 micrograms of glycidol respectively. The maximum level set out in EU standards is 1,000 micrograms per kilogram.