EN
The aim of the study was to assess the occurrence and to determine the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in traditionally smoked meat and fish products of domestic production in relation to the amendment in the EU legislation. The determinations of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, and chrysene were carried out in 286 meat product samples, which included 161 sausage samples and 125 samples of other smoked meats (ham, loins, bacon, etc.) as well as 17 fish samples, using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The highest mean concentrations of PAH4 (sum of benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, and chrysene) were determined in sausages – 21.0 µg/kg, including benzo(a)pyrene 2.6 µg/kg, lower in other meat products: PAH4 – 9.2 µg/kg and BaP 1.2 µg/kg, and lowest in fish: PAH4 – 2.0 µg/kg and BaP of 0.2 µg/kg. The maximum level (ML) for PAH4 (12 µg/kg) was exceeded in 30.8%, and ML for BaP (2.0 µg/kg) in 25.9% of smoked meat product samples. Evaluation of PAH levels in traditionally smoked sausages indicates differences in the concentrations of PAH4 depending on the smoking techniques and the type of wood used for smoking.