Dietary exposure assessments for children in europe (the EXPOCHI project): rationale, methods and design

Abstract

Background/purposeThe number of dietary exposure assessment studies focussing on children is very limited. Children are however a vulnerable group due to their higher food consumption level per kg body weight. Therefore, the EXPOCHI project aims [1] to create a relational network of individual food consumption databases in children, covering different geographical areas within Europe, and [2] to use these data to assess the usual intake of lead, chromium, selenium and food colours.MethodsEXPOCHI includes 14 food consumption databases focussed on children (1-14 y old). The data are considered representative at national/regional level: 14 regions covering 13 countries. Since the aim of the study is to perform long-term exposure assessments, only data derived from 24 hr dietary recalls and dietary records recorded on at least two non-consecutive days per individual were included in the dietary exposure assessments. To link consumption data and concentration data of lead, chromium and selenium in a standardised way, categorisation of the food consumption data was based on the food categorisation system described within the SCOOP Task report 3.2.11. For food colours, the food categorisation system specified in the Council Directive 94/36/EC was used.ConclusionThe EXPOCHI project includes a pan-European long-term exposure assessment of lead, chromium, selenium and food colours among children living in 13 different EU countries. However, the different study methods and designs used to collect the data in the different countries necessitate an in-depth description of these different methods and a discussion about the resulting limitations.

Food additives and preschool children

“…As outlined earlier, the safety of additive-containing foods is ensured via legislation and safety assessments. However, some studies have suggested that children may have increased exposure and consumption of certain food additives, in comparison with adults (39,48,49) and are therefore an important subgroup that should be addressed by exposure assessments (50) .…”

“…Prior to 2008, there was a low number of dietary exposure assessment studies among children, which led to the establishment of the 'Individual food consumption data and exposure assessment studies for Children' (EXPOCHI) project within Europe (50) . This European Food Safety Authority-funded project developed a network of databases from various countries in Europe which could be linked to carry out long term exposure assessments for children aged 1-14 years (50) .…”

“…It is a period when many key organ and tissue systems in the body grow and mature (50,54) . Thus, the potential exists for these developmental processes to be disrupted by exposure to chemicals in high doses (51) .…”

“…This European Food Safety Authority-funded project developed a network of databases from various countries in Europe which could be linked to carry out long term exposure assessments for children aged 1-14 years (50) . To date, four different risk assessments have been carried out (Pb, Cr, Se and food colours).…”

Scientific Opinion on the risks for human and animal health related to the presence of modified forms of certain mycotoxins in food and feed

“…Two estimates were produced depending on the assessment made on the results below the LOD/LOQ: the lower bound estimate (LB), replacing all results reported as below the LOD/LOQ by 0, and the upper bound estimate (UB), replacing all results reported as below the LOD/LOQ to their respective LOD/LOQ. (EFSA, 2011;Huybrechts et al, 2011;Merten et al, 2011). The Comprehensive database comprises consumption data of 66,642 individuals from 32 surveys carried out in 22 different European countries covering the following age-groups: infants (< 1 year old), toddlers (≥ 1 year to < 3 years old), children (≥ 3 years to < 10 years old), adolescents (≥ 10 years to < 18 years old), adults (≥ 18 years to < 65 years old), elderly (≥ 65 years to < 75 years old) and very elderly (≥ 75 years old).…”