Benzene Contamination in Heat-Treated Carrot Products Including Baby Foods

Food products containing carrots were analyzed for benzene contamination using headspace gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection. Of 82 commercial samples, 88% contained benzene above the detection limit of 0.04 μg/kg. Canned and jarred carrots contained 0.2 μg/kg of benzene on average. Higher levels were found in jarred baby foods containing carrots (0.9 μg/kg on average). The highest concentrations were found in carrot juices specifically intended for infants (2.0 μg/l on average). In contrast, freshly home-prepared carrot juices (n=8) and baby foods (n=30) were all benzene-free. The detection of the human carcinogen benzene at μg/kg levels in canned foods, jarred baby food and juices containing carrots proves that the level of exposure to benzene through food products is currently underestimated. The potential of this substance to pose a cancer hazard for consumers should be evaluated. Further research into the occurrence of benzene in food products, including formation mechanisms and mitigation measures, is necessary.