Health risk assessment of zearalenone in commercially edible plant oils in Ningbo City in 2024

Objective To investigate the contamination levels of zearalenone (ZEN) in commercially available edible vegetable oils in Ningbo City and assess its health risks to residents. Methods A total of 330 samples of commercially available edible vegetable oils (50 each of peanut oil, corn oil, and olive oil; 40 each of rapeseed oil and blended oil; 30 each of soybean oil, rice oil, and sunflower oil; and 10 of tea oil) were collected in 2024. The samples were tested for ZEN using the first method specified in GB 5009.209-2016 "National Food Safety Standard*Determination of Zearalenone in Food" (liquid chromatography), and the contamination status was analyzed. Additionally, combined with dietary consumption data of residents, the Monte Carlo simulation method was employed to evaluate the health risks of ZEN in edible vegetable oils. Results ZEN was detected in 267 out of 330 samples, with a detection rate of 80.91% (267/330), and the average detected value was (22.83±47.27) μg·kg^-1, with a maximum value of 342.00 μg·kg^-1. The ZEN detection rates for corn oil, peanut oil, and blended oil were all 100.00%. The daily average exposure (P₅₀) and daily high exposure (P₉₅) of ZEN intake via edible vegetable oils among Ningbo residents were 0.001 μg/kg^-1（b.w., same below）and 0.060μg/kg^-1, respectively. However, 1.22% of Ningbo residents had a daily ZEN exposure exceeding the TDI. The hazard quotients (HQ) for the daily average exposure (P₅₀) population and daily high exposure (P₉₅) population were 0.004 and 0.0200, respectively, both significantly lower than 1. Nevertheless, 1.02% of Ningbo residents still faced health risks from ZEN intake via edible vegetable oils. Conclusion Edible vegetable oils in Ningbo City were contaminated with ZEN, but the probability of ZEN exposure exceeding the TDI through edible vegetable oils was relatively low, and the resulting health risks were also minimal, indicating an overall insignificant health risk.