To analyze the content of dehydroacetic acid (DHA) in wet rice flour products in Hubei Province from 2024 to 2025 and assess the exposure levels of residents.

From 2024 to 2025, 218 samples of wet rice and flour products sold in 7 cities of Hubei Province were collected by random sampling. The content of DHA in the samples was detected by high-performance liquid chromatography according to GB 5009. 121—2016 National food safety standards-Determination of dehydroacetic acid in food and the DHA exposure level was evaluated using a point assessment model.

The overall content of DHA in wet rice and flour products in Hubei Province from 2024 to 2025 ranged from ND to 0.855 g/kg, with an average value of 0.119 g/kg. The overall detection rate of DHA was 32.1%, and the overall exceedance rate was 4.6%. There were statistically significant differences in the content, detection rate and exceedance rate of DHA in different years, types of wet rice and flour products (P<0.01). Compared with other years, the highest mean DHA content was observed in the first half of 2024(0.290 g/kg), the highest detection rate also in the first half of 2024 (72.5%), and the highest exceedance rate in the first half of 2025 (9.8%). The average content of DHA (0.270 g/kg) and the detection rate (59.6%) were the highest for wet rice noodles. The P₉₅ value of DHA content (0.731 g/kg) and the exceedance rate (18.2%) were the highest for wide noodles. There were statistically significant differences in the content and detection rate of DHA in rice noodles, cold noodles and rice flour products in different years (P<0.05). The average content and detection rate of DHA in these three foods were the highest in the first half of 2024 and then decreased year by year. There were statistically significant differences in the DHA exposure levels in different years (P<0.01). The average and P₉₅ values of DHA exposure levels decreased first and then increased over the years, with the highest exposure level in the first half of 2024. The average and P₉₅ values of DHA exposure levels in urban areas were higher than those in rural areas.

The content of DHA in wet rice and flour products in Hubei Province from 2024 to 2025 is low, and the exposure level is also relatively low. Relevant departments need to pay special attention to the excessive use of DHA in cold noodles and rice noodles.