Low intake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Sweden: Results based on market basket data and a barbecue study

- The calculated total mean intake of B(a)P and PAH4 in Sweden is 50 ng and 280 ng/person and day, respectively.
- The PAH levels in food have decreased during the last 10 years in Sweden.
- The calculated cancer risk due to B(a)P intake via food is very low in Sweden.

In a market basket study made at the National Food Agency in Sweden, in which the most common consumed foodstuffs are sampled, the content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) and PAH4 (B(a)P, chrysene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, and benz(a)anthracene) were analysed. To this data, results on B(a)P and PAH4 levels originating from a home-barbecue-study on sausages and loin of pork were added. The calculated total mean intake of B(a)P and PAH4 was 50 ng/person and day 276 ng/person and day, respectively. Sugar and sweets, cereal products, meat, and dairy products contributed most to the total intake. In case of PAH concentrations below LOD, 0.03 µg/kg, ½ LOD was used in the intake calculations. The highest mean level of B(a)P and PAH4 were found in the barbecued products, but since the estimated consumption in Sweden is low, the contribution to the total food intake is almost negligible, about 2%. The calculated B(a)P levels in food has decreased during the last 10 years and indicates a low cancer risk for the Swedish population.