BRUSSELS, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on Wednesday announced in a statement that it revised the safe intake for 3-monochloropropane diol (3-MCPD) after reassessed possible long-term adverse effects of 3-MCPD on kidney and male fertility.

EFSA first assessed the potential risks of 3-MCPD in 2016. After the latest review, its experts found that consumption levels of 3-MCPD in food are considered safe for most consumers but there is a potential health concern among high consumers in younger age groups.

The updated report shows that the 3-MCPD Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) is 2.0 μg/kg bw, while the 2016 assessment was 0.8 μg/kg bw.

Experts from the EFSA said that they calculated the levels at which possible adverse effects on kidney and male fertility could occur and the updated TDI is protective for both types of effects.

3-MCPD is food processing contaminant found in some processed foods and vegetable oils, mainly palm oil. This chemical and its esters are formed unintentionally in these foods, in particular during oil refining processes.