PAHs may be formed during incomplete combustion or burning of organic matters. Almost all food contains PAHs to a certain extent.
The two major sources of B[a]P (a type of PAH) in food are deposition and uptake of B[a]P from polluted air on food crops and formation and deposition of B[a]P during heat processing using methods such as roasting, smoking, and grilling.
Levels of B[a]P may vary depending on the processing conditions and are often higher in barbecued/smoked meat or fish. Furthermore for fats and oils, drying of cereals and plants used for production of crude vegetable oils using direct application of combustion gases can result in contamination of the products with B[a]P as combustion products may come into contact with the grain, oil seeds and thus increasing B[a]P level in the oil product. The level of B[a]P in oil would be much reduced after oil refining processes and the ultimate level of BaP would depend on the conditions under which refining takes place and quality control.