Furan and its derivatives are found in various heat-treated foods. Furan is classified as a possible human carcinogen. The European Union authorities recommend collecting data on the occurrence of these compounds, estimating consumer exposure, and taking measures to protect human health based on a scientific risk assessment. The aim of this study was to estimate the exposure of infants and toddlers to furan and its methyl derivatives-2-methylfuran, 3-methylfuran, and ∑2,5-dimethylfuran/2-ethylfuran-present in home-prepared foods and to characterize the associated health risks. The compounds of interest were determined using the HS-GC/MS. The risk was characterized by the calculation of the margin of exposure (MoE). Levels of furan and its derivatives in analyzed samples were in the range of <LOD ÷ 10 µg/kg and <LOD ÷ 80.3 µg/kg, respectively. The MoEs for neoplastic effects in most of the presumed scenarios indicate a risk associated with the intake of analyzed compounds in both age groups (MoE < 10,000; 331 to 6354 for 95th percentile, 3181-39,033 for median). The MoEs for non-neoplastic effects indicate a potential risk associated with the intake of 3-methylfuran and Σ2,5-dimethylfuran/2-ethylfuran for high exposure (95th percentile) only (MoE < 100; 16-47). The obtained results indicate the need for further research in this area.
Keywords: exposure; furan; furan derivatives; health risk characterization; home-prepared meals; infants; toddlers.