Evaluation of the budget method for screening food additive intakes

Assessment of dietary exposure to food additives used in Polish processed meat products

Dietary exposure assessments have been performed for nitrites, phosphates, erythorbic acid, and sodium erythorbate in processed meat in Poland. The exposure has been estimated based on the maximum level of use of additives contained in Regulation - tier 2 and the concentration of additives in processed meat - tier 3, additionally for nitrites. Daily intake was estimated using 24-h recall, repeated three times. Exposure analyses were correlated with the frequency of occurrence of food additives based on label analysis (tiers 2a and 3a). The mean nitrite intake from processed meat at tier 2 was 0.1 mg/kg bw (143% ADI), 0.08 mg/kg bw (118% - ADI) at tier 2a, 0.03 mg/kg bw (43% - ADI) at tier 3, and 0.026 mg/kg bw (37% - ADI) at tier 3a. The mean intakes of phosphate and erythorbic acid/sodium erythorbate from processed meat were 3.26 and 0.54 mg/kg bw (8.2% and 9% - ADI), respectively at tier 2. None of the respondents exceeded the ADIs for phosphates or erythorbic acid/sodium erythorbate. In contrast, nitrite consumption is of great concern because of significant ADI exceedances, particularly among young children.

Risk assessment of azo dyes as food additives: Revision and discussion of data gaps toward their improvement

The food industry uses dyes mainly to overcome color loss during the processing and storage of products, with the azo dyes currently being the most employed. Studies on the safety of using these dyes in foods started in the 1950s and have indicated the potential for concern. This review discusses the risk assessment of food intake containing artificial azo dyes. There are case reports and, subsequently, double-blind placebo-controlled trials in some individuals who may experience adverse effects from the intake of azo dyes, but it is unclear whether these adverse effects are restricted to specific populations or more generalized. In view of this, different toxicological endpoints are evaluated to verify toxic effects in in vitro and in vivo models and to establish the no observed adverse effect level. Exposure estimation studies have shown that human exposure to azo dyes via oral intake is mainly below the acceptable daily intake established by advisory bodies. However, most countries do not have studies that estimate the oral intake of azo dyes. In this case, local food diversity and racial-ethnic specificities are not considered when stating the exposure estimate is below the acceptable daily intake for the human population and thus may not represent actual intake. Concerning the scenario established above, this review discusses the most critical gaps to be overcome to contribute to the direction of future studies and the development of more effective public policies concerning the safety of the intake of artificial azo dyes.

Screening level intake estimates of low and no-calorie sweeteners in Argentina, Chile, and Peru

As obesity rates increase, several countries in Latin America have implemented strategies to curb the consumption of sugars, resulting in reformulations of products with low and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS). The increased availability of LNCS-containing products raises concerns about the potential risk of exceeding the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI). Information on the intake of LNCS among Latin American countries are limited by the lack of publicly available national consumption data. Using the Budget Method, screening level intake estimates of six LNCS (acesulfame potassium, aspartame, cyclamate, saccharin, steviol glycosides, and sucralose) were derived for Argentina, Chile, and Peru based on national sales data and product labels. Four tiered assessments were conducted where assumption of LNCS use ranged from the most conservative Tier 1 to the more refined yet conservative LNCS use and concentrations in subsequent tiers. The estimated intakes, applicable to the total population as well as children, were below their ADIs for all tiers. For Tier 2 where average LNCS concentrations were assumed present in all LNCS-containing products, intakes were <60% of the ADI. Estimates for the more refined tiers were comparable to published estimates based on select subpopulations in these countries, validating the approach used in this study.

Tiered intake assessment for low- and no-calorie sweeteners in beverages

A tiered intake assessment approach is presented and applied to derive the maximum potential global low- and no-calorie sweeteners (LNCS) intake estimates. The US and Uk markets served as representative for the world and the EU region, respectively, to determine the maximum potential exposure for acesulfame potassium (AceK), aspartame, saccharin, steviol glycosides, and sucralose in various subpopulations, including brand-loyal consumers. Conservative intake estimates for LNCS used in non-alcoholic beverages were calculated for the general population 2 + y, toddlers (12-35 months (US) or 18-35 months (UK)), young children 3-9 y, adolescents 10-17 y, adults 18-64 y, elderly 65-74 y, and very elderly 75 + y based on assumed uses in high beverage consumption markets, leveraging either the 2-day food consumption data from the 2013-2016 US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey or the 4-day food consumption data from the 2008-2017 UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey Rolling Programme. Strong concordance between the refined budget method and the brand-loyal deterministic approach was shown, the latter assumes the maximum industry-reported global LNCS use level is present in 100% of non-alcoholic beverages. This study shows that safety of LNCS in beverages at proposed use levels can be supported for any geography, with all intake estimates falling below the acceptable daily intake in refined assessments. Importantly, this study shows the refined budget method to be a valid first-tier screening assessment in prioritising those LNCS that may benefit from more refined intake assessments when warranted.

Assessment of exposure of Korean consumers to acesulfame K and sucralose using a stepwise approach

Using a stepwise assessment of the exposure of Korean consumers to acesulfame K and sucralose, theoretical maximum daily intakes of the sweeteners were calculated using the Budget screening method, which resulted in values greater than the acceptable daily intakes (ADIs). Accordingly, the daily intakes of the sweeteners based on food consumption data and concentrations determined by instrumental analysis of 605 food samples were estimated for the more refined approach. The estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of all ordinary consumers were lower than the ADI, which was considered safe. However, for infants and 95th percentile high-level consumers (especially those who choose sucralose-containing foods), the EDIs of sucralose were very close to and higher than the ADI. Therefore, the sucralose concentration in sweetened beverages should be reduced; this would benefit the health of both high-level consumers and infants.

International experience in addressing combined exposures: increasing the efficiency of assessment

More efficient methodology for assessing the impact of combined exposures to multiple chemicals has been considered in a project of the World Health Organization (WHO) International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS). Recommendations regarding terminology and the status of development of the framework, its content, review and application are described. Evolving experience in its application is illustrated by example (polybrominated diphenyls) with special emphasis on the critical content of problem formulation, the role of predictive tools in grouping of chemicals for consideration and the importance of explicit delineation of relative uncertainty and sensitivity for tiered assessment. Priorities in increasing the efficiency of risk assessment not only for combined exposures, but more generally based on experience acquired in developing the framework and its application in case studies are identified and recommendations included.

Safety evaluation of phosphodiesterase derived from Leptographium procerum

5'-Phosphodiesterase is produced by fermentation of the fungus Leptographium procerum and is used to hydrolyse yeast RNA to produce flavour enhancers. To establish the safety in use of this enzyme preparation a number of studies have been performed: analysis for the potential of the production strain to produce toxic secondary metabolites, 28-days oral toxicity study of the preparation in the rat, bacterial mutation assay and in vitro mammalian chromosome aberration test in human lymphocytes. The production strain did not produce any secondary metabolites that may be of significance in food. Administration of dosage levels of 1250, 2500 and 5000 mg/kg body weight/day to rats for 28 day did not result in any toxicological significant changes. The enzyme preparation showed no mutagenic activity in the bacterial mutation assay and no clastogenic potency in an in vitro test. These results together with existing knowledge of the production organism and the chemical and microbiological characterisation of the enzyme preparation lead to the conclusion that the enzyme preparation containing 5'-phosphodiesterase activity from Leptographium procerum can safely be used for the production of flavour enhancers from bakers yeast at the anticipated intake levels for these uses.

Validation analysis of probabilistic models of dietary exposure to food additives

The validity of a range of simple conceptual models designed specifically for the estimation of food additive intakes using probabilistic analysis was assessed. Modelled intake estimates that fell below traditional conservative point estimates of intake and above 'true' additive intakes (calculated from a reference database at brand level) were considered to be in a valid region. Models were developed for 10 food additives by combining food intake data, the probability of an additive being present in a food group and additive concentration data. Food intake and additive concentration data were entered as raw data or as a lognormal distribution, and the probability of an additive being present was entered based on the per cent brands or the per cent eating occasions within a food group that contained an additive. Since the three model components assumed two possible modes of input, the validity of eight (2(3)) model combinations was assessed. All model inputs were derived from the reference database. An iterative approach was employed in which the validity of individual model components was assessed first, followed by validation of full conceptual models. While the distribution of intake estimates from models fell below conservative intakes, which assume that the additive is present at maximum permitted levels (MPLs) in all foods in which it is permitted, intake estimates were not consistently above 'true' intakes. These analyses indicate the need for more complex models for the estimation of food additive intakes using probabilistic analysis. Such models should incorporate information on market share and/or brand loyalty.

On the safety of a new generation of DSM Aspergillus niger enzyme production strains

Consumers safety of enzyme preparations is determined by three variables: the producing organism, the raw materials used in the production, and the production process itself. The latter one is embedded in current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) and Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points (HACCP); therefore the safety focus can be directed to raw materials and the producing organism. In this paper, we describe the use of novel genetically modified strains of Aspergillus niger-made by a design and build strategy-from a lineage of classically improved strains with a history of safe use in enzyme production. The specifics of the host strain allow for integration and over-expression of any gene of interest at a targeted integration site implying that the rest of the host genome is not affected by this integration. Furthermore due to the fact that the newly integrated gene copies are put under the genetic regulation of the host's own glucoamylase promoter, the recipe of the production process of any new production strain can be kept constant with respect to the raw materials composition. Consequently the safety of a new enzyme product from these novel genetically modified strains is determined by the background of the production organism. The use of a strain with a history of safe use and targeted integration according to the concept described above has consequences for the safety studies on the final product. If a known enzymatic activity is over-expressed the safety of a new enzyme preparation is covered by the results of the safety studies performed for other strains from this specific Aspergillus niger strain lineage. In this paper an overview is given on the available toxicity tests with these strains. We conclude that for new enzyme products produced with strains from this lineage using the design and build technology no new sub-acute/chronic oral toxicity studies are needed. This also has the benefit that no longer test animals are needed to demonstrate the safety of products produced by these strains.

Enhancing the capacity of food consumption surveys of short duration to estimate long-term consumer-only intakes by combination with a qualitative food frequency questionnaire

In principle, a proper risk assessment for a food chemical requires that the time-frame for food chemical intake estimates matches the time-frame for the toxicological assessments upon which the safety statements (ADI, PTWI, etc.) are based. For food additives, the toxicological assessments are based on exposure over a lifetime. While food consumption data cannot be collected over the lifetimes of individuals, the information should reflect habitual intakes as closely as possible. This study investigated the possibility of combining a 3-day food diary with a food frequency questionnaire to estimate mean consumer-only food intakes comparable to estimates based on a 14-day diary. The study population consisted of 948 teenagers and analysis was based on 32 clearly defined foods. For 47% of the foods, the difference was < or = 1 g/day. When expressed as portion sizes, 56% of the foods showed differences representing < 5% of an average portion and no food showed a difference > 14% of an average portion. When between-method differences (portions/day) were plotted against the mean of the methods, the mean between-method difference was 0.02(+/- 0.06) portions/day with limits of agreement of -0.10 to 0.14. This preliminary investigation suggests that the combined 3-day diary and FFQ method provides comparable estimates of mean consumer only intakes to a 14-day diary. Therefore, a qualitative FFQ may be a useful adjunct to a food consumption survey of short duration if estimates of longer term food intakes are required.