Mineral Oil vs Sodium Aluminum Phosphate: which is worse?
Quick answer: Both score equally on our risk model. Mineral Oil is — in the EU and — in the US; Sodium Aluminum Phosphate is — in the EU and — in the US.
| Property | Mineral Oil | Sodium Aluminum Phosphate |
|---|---|---|
| EU status | — | — |
| US status | — | — |
| Risk level | — | — |
| Banned in | — | — |
| Restricted in | European Union (E905 restricted to specific applications; extensive ongoing EFSA evaluation of MOSH/MOAH contamination), Australia (restricted levels) | European Union (restricted in baby food and specific food categories), Australia (restricted levels) |
| Category | additive | additive |
| Where it hides | — | — |
What is Mineral Oil?
Mineral oil (E905) is a refined petroleum product used as a food-grade lubricant, coating agent, and glazing agent in food processing and production. Food-grade mineral oil is a highly refined grade of petroleum distillate with specifications limiting impurities. It differs from pharmaceutical-grade (Vaseline) and cosmetic-grade mineral oils in refinement level.
What is Sodium Aluminum Phosphate?
Sodium aluminum phosphate (SALP) is a leavening acid and food additive used in baked goods, particularly self-rising flour and baking powder. It provides a slow, sustained leavening action during baking. SALP is also used as an emulsifying salt in processed cheese products.
Documented risks
Mineral Oil: EFSA has raised significant concerns about mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) contamination in food through two pathways: (1) deliberate food-grade mineral oil use in coatings and processing, and (2) migration from recycled paper and cardboard food packaging into food. MOH comprises two types: mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH), which accumulate in human adipose tissue, liver, and spleen, and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH), which include polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that are potentially carcinogenic. A 2011 Swiss study found mineral oil hydrocarbons in human liver and spleen samples from autopsy, demonstrating real bioaccumulation. EFSA's 2023 preliminary opinion identified MOAH contamination in food as a safety concern that cannot be dismissed, recommending ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) minimization. Untreated and mildly treated mineral oils are IARC Group 1 human carcinogens for occupational inhalation. Highly refined food-grade mineral oil (E905) is not classified as a direct carcinogen, but MOAH contamination in even food-grade mineral oil is an ongoing concern.
Sodium Aluminum Phosphate: The primary health concern with SALP is aluminum exposure. Dietary aluminum intake has been studied in relation to neurotoxicity, and there is ongoing scientific debate about whether chronic dietary aluminum exposure contributes to Alzheimer's disease risk. EFSA's 2008 review of dietary aluminum exposure concluded that the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) was being exceeded by some European populations based on total dietary aluminum sources, raising concern. A 2011 EFSA risk assessment noted that certain high-aluminum sources (including baked goods from SALP-containing leavening agents) contributed meaningfully to total dietary aluminum. The WHO has set a PTWI (provisional tolerable weekly intake) of 2 mg/kg body weight/week for total aluminum. However, the causal link between dietary aluminum from food-grade SALP and Alzheimer's disease has not been definitively established in human studies.
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