Health assessment of furan

Furan is formed under heat from carbohydrates, ascorbic acid and polyunsaturated fatty acids. The IARC has classified furan as a ‘possible human carcinogen’ (2B). It can cause cancer in rats and mice. Its primary metabolite, cis-2-butene-1,4-dial, has mutagenic and cell-damaging properties. The hazard potential of furan has not yet been fully clarified. In particular, there is a lack of knowledge about effects in the relevant low dose range.

Adults ingest furan particularly via toast and coffee from coffee machines. As not all toxicological aspects have been clarified, the available results cannot currently be reliably transferred to the situation of the consumer. A rudimentary risk characterisation using the ‘Margin of Exposure’ (MoE) assessment concept would result in a size range that would not be considered harmless, particularly for infants and young children.