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• G and M levels in foods were analyzed by GC–MS followed by Soxtec extraction. • The highest concentrations of G and M were found in processed fats and cookies. • 58% of palm oil-containing foods exceeded the upper limits of G or M set by the EU. • Packaged foods with palm-derived oils had significantly higher levels of G and M. • Main exposures to G and M were from cookies and instant noodles that exceeded TDIs. Glycidyl esters (GEs) and 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol esters (3-MCPDEs) are carcinogenic contaminants found in refined oils. This study aimed to determine levels of GEs and 3-MCPDEs in packaged foodstuffs, and estimate daily exposure levels using food consumption data. The analysis involved Soxtec extraction and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the recovery of spiked GEs and 3-MCPDEs was within the range of 80%∼110%. Results showed that GEs and 3-MCPDEs were almost ubiquitous in food products (95%), with the highest concentrations found in processed fats, followed by cookies and spreads. Food products containing palm-derived oils had significantly higher levels of contaminants (p < 0.05), with up to 58.1% of palm oil-containing foodstuffs exceeding the upper limits of either GEs or 3-MCPDEs set by the European Union. Cookies and instant noodles were identified as the main sources of exposure to GEs and 3-MCPDEs, with potential daily intake levels exceeding the tolerable daily intakes in children aged 0 ∼ 12 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• AA exposure and health risk assessment were studied in the general population of Taiwan. • Urinary AAMA levels positively correlated sweetened beverages and oily snacks consumption in the 6–18-year-old group. • Monte Carlo simulation showed that 1.75-19.48% among all age groups exceeded the reference dose of 2 μg/kg-body weight/day. We determined the urinary levels of acrylamide (AA) metabolites of the general Taiwanese population, explore the association between AA internal exposure and dietary intake frequency, and assess the health risk. Urine samples and dietary questionnaires were collected from the subjects of the Nutrition and Health Survey in Taiwan. AA metabolite [ N -acetyl-S-(propionamide)-cysteine (AAMA)] concentrations were analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-ToF-MS). Multiple regression was used to examine associations between AA metabolite levels and dietary patterns. A total of 706 subjects were studied. We found that per increase in weekly frequency of sweetened beverages in the 6–11-years group (β = 0.322, p = 0.018) and oily snacks intakes in the 12–18-years group (β = 0.335, p = 0.012) will increase 10 β of urinary AAMA concentrations. Assuming that 50% of the AA intake is excreted as urinary AAMA, the Monte Carlo simulation showed that 1.75–19.48% among all age groups have exceeded the reference dose of 2 μg/kg-body weight/day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]