Cyclohexylamine residue in vegetables blanched with primary stem

The corrosion inhibitor cyclohexylamine (CHA), is a common additive for steam generation systems. If primary steam directly contacts food during blanching, heating, or cooking operations the possibility exists that contamination of the food by CHA may result. In this study, snap beans and green peppers were blanched with steam containing CHA. A gas chromatographic method was developed and used to show the presence of appreciable residues of CHA remaining in the post-blanched vegetables. The widespread replacement of primary steam generators with secondary systems for food blanching largely eliminates possible hazards to consumers. The known toxicologic properties of CHA are reviewed and the need for additional studies of possible food contamination or direct human exposure by other commonly used steam additives is emphasized