According to the SCF, benzo(a)pyrene can be used as a marker for the occurrence and effect of carcinogenic PAH in food, including also benz(a)anthracene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(j)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(g,h,i)perylene, chrysene, cyclopenta(c,d)pyrene, dibenz(a,h)anthracene, dibenzo(a,e)pyrene, dibenzo(a,h)pyrene, dibenzo(a,i)pyrene, dibenzo(a,l)pyrene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene and 5-methylchrysene.
Volgens het SCF kan benzo(a)pyreen gebruikt worden als merkstof voor het vóórkomen en het effect van carcinogene PAK's in levensmiddelen, waaronder ook benz(a)anthraceen, benzo(b)fluorantheen, benzo(j)fluorantheen, benzo(k)fluorantheen, benzo(g,h,i)peryleen, chryseen, cyclopenta(c,d)pyreen, dibenz(a,h)anthraceen, dibenzo(a,e)pyreen, dibenzo(a,h)pyreen, dibenzo(a,i)pyreen, dibenzo(a,l)pyreen, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyreen en 5-methylchryseen.