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Summary of Evaluations Performed by the
Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives

HEXANES
Chemical names: HEXANES
Functional class: EXTRACTION SOLVENT
Latest evaluation: 1970
ADI: LIMITED BY GMP
Comments: At its sixty-fifth meeting in 2005 the Committee made the following statement: 'As used in the food industry, ?hexane? is a mixture of hydrocarbons. Recent changes in environmental regulations have led to a change in composition of hexanes since the original specifications were established. In addition, the composition of hexanes will depend on the region of production, the source of the raw material and the site of production. Therefore, the Committee concluded that the present articles of commerce differ from those previously evaluated by the Committee and that the composition of the residues and their levels in foods may not be the same as those evaluated in the original safety assessment. The Committee also concluded that there was insufficient information available to change the current specifications, and therefore recommended a re-evaluation of hexanes.'
Report: TRS for JECFA 65 in press
Specifications: COMPENDIUM ADDENDUM 6/FNP 52 Add.6/71 (1998)
Tox monograph: FAS 70.39/NMRS 48A-JECFA 14/110 (1970)
Previous status: 1993, TEMPORARY SPECIFICATIONS CONTINUED
1970, NMRS 48/TRS 462-JECFA 14/21,36, FAS 70.40/NMRS 48B-JECFA 14/58; COMPENDIUM/751. N,T
 
27 Jan 06    




    See Also:
       Toxicological Abbreviations