Investigation of extraneous peak reveals ethylene oxide in food supplements

The global food supplement market is growing rapidly and so as the concerns on their quality, safety, and product efficacy. Product monitoring is challenging due to lenient regulation across the globe when compared to pharmaceutical counterparts. As part of quality and safety compliance of food supplements, products are being tested randomly in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, UAE. This study is the part of routine monitoring of supplements during which an extraneous peak was observed and characterized. Analysis was performed using a Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and headspace extraction sampler. The extraneous peak with signal to noise ratio (S/N) of 140 was identified as ethylene oxide. Since traces were observed in active product formulation, it is worthwhile to monitor the levels in a higher number of supplements to elucidate its significance.