The confectionery industry faces a multitude of challenges arising from the interplay of climate change, geopolitical situations, and globally interconnected supply chains. These factors have direct impacts on food quality, necessitating thorough analysis and innovative analytical solutions.

By Liza Beau

The first step is to take a look at the climatic challenges: A significant aspect therefore is the increasing uncertainty in sourcing raw materials due to changing or extreme weather conditions. Unfavourable temperature and humidity conditions can lead to complete crop failures or promote the growth of molds that produce mycotoxins such as Ochratoxin A. This particularly affects the cultivation of cocoa and grain. Consequently, poor harvests result in lower availability and quality of raw materials. As a result, it may sometimes be necessary to turn to alternative suppliers whose raw material quality may be unknown or inferior. Therefore, risk-based monitoring is essential to ensure the quality of raw materials and avoid food recalls.

The globally interconnected supply chains of the confectionery industry entail risks. Diverging quality standards in harvesting, storage, or transport, which are influenced by geographical and geopolitical differences, can lead to varying raw material qualities.

Mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOSH/MOAH), which are ubiquitous in the environment, enter food products throughout the entire value chain, making them difficult to avoid in complex supply chains. Consequently, they have become one of the most significant challenges for food companies recently.

The issue of MOSH/MOAH has gained increasing importance at the European level. This is partly due to the risk assessment published by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in September 2023 regarding mineral oil hydrocarbons. The publication states that MOAH with three or more aromatic rings are potentially carcinogenic and genotoxic. As a result, the European Union plans to set maximum levels for MOAH in foods under the Contaminants Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2023/915) by the end of 2024.

In the light of these developments, continuous monitoring of both individual raw materials and finished products for MOSH/MOAH is recommended. Based on the results obtained, the scope of testing should be adjusted accordingly. If the raw materials are free of contamination, whereas the end product is contaminated, the individual process steps should be specifically reviewed.

In addition to contamination with MOSH/MOAH, the confectionery industry also faces a range of other contaminants and residues. Heavy metals such as nickel, cadmium, and lead often enter the food chain due to environmental factors. In addition to the aforementioned risks, food business operators must continuously address the constantly evolving European legal frameworks. An example of this is the recently amended European Contaminants Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2023/915), which, from July 1, 2025, will for the first time set maximum levels for nickel in food.

Given the multifactorial influences, the confectionery industry must implement a holistic quality assurance approach. Root Cause Analyses (RCA) are used for this purpose. They are an essential tool for identifying the causes of contamination in confectionery and developing appropriate risk mitigation measures.

RCA allows for the precise determination of contamination and residue sources by thoroughly examining raw materials and respective intermediate products from each production step, from the country of origin to the finished food product.

The ifp supports the development of meaningful and risk-based testing plans, ensuring an optimal balance between safety and cost-effectiveness. The use of rapid and sensitive detection methods enables ifp to effectively ensure the quality and safety of your food products. The ifp is always up-to-date with the latest legal developments and provides proactive advice on upcoming changes.