To analyze the pollution situation of benzo(a)pyrene in edible vegetable oils sold in a certain province in Northwest China and assess the dietary exposure risk.

A total of 338 edible vegetable oil samples were collected in a certain province in Northwest China from 2023 to 2024. The samples were tested using high performance liquid chromatography as specified in GB 5009.27—2016 National food safety standard-Determination of benzo(a)pyrene in foods, and the contamination index method was applied to analyze benzo(a)pyrene contamination levels. Based on adult dietary consumption patterns, the exposure margin ratio(MOE) method was used to evaluate residents’ dietary exposure risk.

Among the 338 edible oil samples, the overall detection rate of benzo(a)pyrene was 51.2%, with no samples exceeding the standard and an average content of 0.8 μg/kg. The single-factor pollution index of benzo(a)pyrene in 6 kinds of edible vegetable oils was all less than 1, and the comprehensive pollution index was all less than 0.7, which indicated a clean pollution level and a safe contamination grade. For adult residents in a certain province in Northwest China (aged 18–44, 45–60 and over 60), the average daily dietary exposure to edible oils and the exposure to foods with high benzo(a)pyrene content (95th percentile, P₉₅) were 0.44, 0.53, 0.53 ng/(kg·d) and 1.73, 2.05, 2.06 ng/(kg·d)respectively. The MOE and P₉₅ for all age groups exceeded 10000, indicating a low dietary exposure risk of benzo(a)pyrene from edible vegetable oils in this province.

The contamination of benzo(a)pyrene in various kings of commercially available edible vegetable oils in a certain province in Northwest China is generally mild, with a high level of safety in 2023—2024. The average dietary exposure and high-exposure dietary risks of adult residents of all age groups are relatively low, all within the acceptable range. However, it is still necessary to continuously pay attention to and monitor the food safety risks of edible vegetable oils, and take measures to further prevent and reduce the dietary exposure risk of benzo(a)pyrene in edible vegetable oils.