Estimation of the dietary intake of 13 priority additives in France, Italy, the UK and Ireland as part of the FACET project

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the dietary exposure of 13 priority additives in four European countries (France, Italy, the UK and Ireland) using the Flavourings, Additives and Contact Materials Exposure Task (FACET) software. The studied additives were benzoates (E210-213), nitrites (E249-250) and sulphites (E220-228), butylated hydroxytoluene (E321), polysorbates (E432-436), sucroses esters and sucroglycerides (E473-474), polyglycerol esters of fatty acids (E475), stearoyl-lactylates (E481-482), sorbitan esters (E493-494 and E491-495), phosphates (E338-343/E450-452), aspartame (E951) and acesulfame (E950). A conservative approach (based on individual consumption data combined with maximum permitted levels (Tier 2)) was compared with more refined estimates (using a fitted distribution of concentrations based on data provided by the food industry (Tier 3)). These calculations demonstrated that the estimated intake is below the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for nine of the studied additives. However, there was a potential theoretical exceedance of the ADI observed for four additives at Tier 3 for high consumers (97.5th percentile) among children: E220-228 in the UK and Ireland, E432-436 and E481-482 in Ireland, Italy and the UK, and E493-494 in all countries. The mean intake of E493-494 could potentially exceed the ADI for one age group of children (aged 1-4 years) in the UK. For adults, high consumers only in all countries had a potential intake higher than the ADI for E493-494 at Tier 3 (an additive mainly found in bakery wares). All other additives examined had an intake below the ADI. Further refined exposure assessments may be warranted to provide a more in-depth investigation for those additives that exceeded the ADIs in this paper. This refinement may be undertaken by the introduction of additive occurrence data, which take into account the actual presence of these additives in the different food groups.

Dietary exposure of the Belgian adult population to 70 food additives with numerical ADI

“…In view of the results of the market survey (Table 5), where it was concluded that nitrite was used in all broad commodities in which they were allowed, a refined Tier 2 will not change the results: 17% of the Belgian adult population might have a daily intake above the ADI. Nitrite intake in Italy, UK, France and Ireland were above the ADI at P97.5 in Tier 2 and below ADI in Tier 3 (Vin et al, 2013). The nitrite consumption of the French population was below the ADI (Bemrah et al, 2012).…”

“…Tier 2 assessments are in general very conservative. Vin et al (2013) have demonstrated that only children might exceed the ADI for E 491e492, E 495 in Tier 2. In Tier 3 intake, no exceedance of the ADI was observed.…”

“…Consequently further assessment of these additives for the Belgian adult population was found unnecessary, but should certainly be envisaged for youngsters. Vin et al (2013) have demonstrated also a potential risk of exceeding the ADI for nitrites, polysorbates and lactylates with Tier 2. In view of the results of the market survey (Table 5), where it was concluded that nitrite was used in all broad commodities in which they were allowed, a refined Tier 2 will not change the results: 17% of the Belgian adult population might have a daily intake above the ADI.…”

“…These compounds are hardly studied. Vin et al (2013) has evaluated the exposure of E493 and E494 and concluded their exposure will exceed the ADI for adults and children in Tier 3. Bakery products were the main contributors to the intake.…”

“…Risk assessment of food additives has been performed in several European Member States (Bemrah, Leblanc, & Volatier, 2008;Bemrah et al 2012;Connolly et al 2010;Diouf et al 2014;Leclercq, Molinaro, et al,2000;Mischek & Krapfenbauer-Cermak, 2012;Verger, Chambolle, Babayou, Le Breton, & Volatier, 1998;Vin et al, 2013). In Belgium specifically, exposure assessments of the population to benzoates, nitrates and nitrites, sulphites, lycopene, and artificial sweeteners have recently been performed (Bilau, Matthys, Vinkx, & De Henauw, 2008;Huvaere, Vandevijvere, Hasni, Vinkx, & Van Loco, 2012;Temme et al 2011;Vandevijvere et al 2009Vandevijvere et al , 2010Vandevijvere et al, 2014.)…”