VARIATION IN FOOD ADDITIVE INTAKES

VIII. VARIATION IN FOOD ADDITIVE INTAKES

The variation between the food additive intakes of extreme and average consumers is difficult to determine. One estimate proposes that it is unlikely that the consumption of

a single foodstuff by extreme consumers would be more than three times higher than the average (WHO, 1985). This is probably true for long-term food consumption. However, in a short-term study of food additive intakes among English school children (14–15 years of age), a wide range of intakes was observed (Disselduff et al., 1979). The maximum intakes of benzoic acid, saccharin, and sorbic acid were calculated to be approximately tenfold greater than average intakes. The children’s food and drink consumption was mea- sured by weight over seven consecutive days, and additive concentration was assumed to be the maximum permitted. The differences in additive intakes varied with the food consumption over the seven days, but over a longer period of time it is likely that the differences in food consumption would be smaller. An evaluation of the risks associated with food additive and contaminant intakes is dependent on an estimation of the long- term variation in food consumption by individuals. It is therefore necessary to perform relevant studies. When the use of a food additive is confined to a limited number of foods that are not basic to the ordinary diet, the intake of that additive varies considerably. For example, in the United States the mean intake of saccharin is 0.12 mg/kg body weight, whereas the intake of the 99th percentile is 2.2 mg/kg body weight. That is approximately a single foodstuff by extreme consumers would be more than three times higher than the average (WHO, 1985). This is probably true for long-term food consumption. However, in a short-term study of food additive intakes among English school children (14–15 years of age), a wide range of intakes was observed (Disselduff et al., 1979). The maximum intakes of benzoic acid, saccharin, and sorbic acid were calculated to be approximately tenfold greater than average intakes. The children’s food and drink consumption was mea- sured by weight over seven consecutive days, and additive concentration was assumed to be the maximum permitted. The differences in additive intakes varied with the food consumption over the seven days, but over a longer period of time it is likely that the differences in food consumption would be smaller. An evaluation of the risks associated with food additive and contaminant intakes is dependent on an estimation of the long- term variation in food consumption by individuals. It is therefore necessary to perform relevant studies. When the use of a food additive is confined to a limited number of foods that are not basic to the ordinary diet, the intake of that additive varies considerably. For example, in the United States the mean intake of saccharin is 0.12 mg/kg body weight, whereas the intake of the 99th percentile is 2.2 mg/kg body weight. That is approximately

For particular cases of interest such as saccharin, if those who consume foods con- taining this sugar substitute are considered, the mean intake and 99th percentile are 0.41 and 4.3 mg/kg body weight, respectively. This demonstrates that mean intake is not always

a good indicator when evaluating risk. Certain groups of the population, such as diabetics, may consume much more saccharin than the average person, sometimes as much as 40- fold in excess of the mean. Therefore, when the safety of additives is being assessed and when maximum levels of additives are being established, it is important to consider the variation of food additive intake and the variation in consumption of relevant items and categories of food.