Occurrence and risk assessment of glycidyl and 3-monochloropropanediol esters in infant formulas marketed in Taiwan.

Glycidyl esters (GEs) and 3-monochloropropanediol esters (3-MCPDEs) are process contaminants commonly found in refined edible oils which are often added to infant formulas. The Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) launched regulations for GEs in infant formulas that went into effect on 1 July 2021. To investigate levels of GEs and 3-MCPDEs in infant formula powder, 45 products were sampled and analysed during 2020-2021. The contents of GEs and 3-MCPDEs in formulas of different brands significantly varied, but their concentrations in all of the formulas complied with European Union (EU) regulations. Infant formulas containing palm oil had significantly higher 3-MCPDE levels in both extracted oils and milk powder than those without palm oil. Concentrations of GEs and 3-MCPDEs in infant formula powder and extracted oils were significantly lower in products from Europe than those from Australia and New Zealand. Infants aged 0-1 years in Taiwan who consumed only infant formula showed a margin of exposure (MoE) exceeding 25,000. Mean consumer exposures to 3-MCPDEs stayed below the tolerable daily intake (TDI), while high exposures at the 95th percentile (P95) exceeded the TDI by 1.7-fold. Herein, we present the changing trends in the risk assessment results of infant formula across various countries in the decade. Implementation of regulations and mitigation strategy effectively reduced the risk of infants being exposed to GEs and 3-MCPDEs through infant formula.

Evidence evaluated by European Food Safety Authority does not support lowering the temporary tolerable daily intake for bisphenol A.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently derived a tolerable daily intake (TDI) for bisphenol A (BPA) of 0.2 ng/kg bw/day. There are several issues with EFSA's hazard assessment review process, including that it was based on a limited subset of relevant studies. Multiple public commenters on EFSA's draft evaluation of BPA, including several European regulatory agencies, noted these issues, yet they were not adequately addressed by EFSA in the final evaluation. The TDI for BPA was based on an intermediate immunotoxicity endpoint in mice that has not been observed in other species; there is no evidence that it is a precursor event to any downstream pathological outcome. The TDI is several orders of magnitude lower than estimates of safe doses of BPA established by agencies worldwide, including EFSA's temporary TDI (t-TDI) for BPA established in 2015. Overall, the EFSA hazard assessment review process has led to a conclusion that there are low-dose effects of BPA based on very few, lower quality experimental animal studies. This conclusion is not supported by the totality of the available evidence, which includes multiple high-quality studies not considered by EFSA and indicates that the t-TDI established in 2015 is protective of human health.

Using in vitro data to derive acceptable exposure levels: A case study on PBDE developmental neurotoxicity.

BACKGROUND: Current acceptable chemical exposure levels (e.g., tolerable daily intake) are mainly based on animal experiments, which are costly, time-consuming, considered non-ethical by many, and may poorly predict adverse outcomes in humans. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a method using human in vitro data and biological modeling to calculate an acceptable exposure level through a case study on 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) developmental neurotoxicity (DNT). METHODS: We reviewed the literature on in vitro assays studying BDE-47-induced DNT. Using the most sensitive endpoint, we derived a point of departure using a mass-balance in vitro disposition model and benchmark dose modeling for a 5% response (BMC05) in cells. We subsequently used a pharmacokinetic model of gestation and lactation to estimate administered equivalent doses leading to four different metrics of child brain concentration (i.e., average prenatal, average postnatal, average overall, and maximum concentration) equal to the point of departure. The administered equivalent doses were translated into tolerable daily intakes using uncertainty factors. Finally, we calculated biomonitoring equivalents for maternal serum and compared them to published epidemiological studies of DNT. RESULTS: We calculated a BMC05 of 164 µg/kg of cells for BDE-47 induced alteration of differentiation in neural progenitor cells. We estimated administered equivalent doses of 0.925-3.767 µg/kg/day in mothers, and tolerable daily intakes of 0.009-0.038 µg/kg/day (composite uncertainty factor: 100). The lowest derived biomonitoring equivalent was 19.75 ng/g lipids, which was consistent with reported median (0.9-23 ng/g lipids) and geometric mean (7.02-26.9 ng/g lipids) maternal serum concentrations from epidemiological studies. CONCLUSION: This case study supports using in vitro data and biological modeling as a viable alternative to animal testing to derive acceptable exposure levels.

Bread Consumption-Induced Heavy Metal Exposures and Health Risk Assessment of Pregnant Women: Turkey.

Affordable, nutritious, and easily available bread has a significant place in the nutrition of pregnant women. This study aims to determine bread consumption-induced heavy metal exposure in pregnant women with different sociodemographic characteristics living in Turkey and to evaluate it for non-carcinogenic health risks. Bread consumption data of pregnant women covered a retrospective 24-h period. Heavy metal exposure was calculated according to the deterministic model. Non-carcinogenic health risk assessment was evaluated by target hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI). Bread consumption-induced Mn, Al, Cu, Ni, Pb, As, Cr, Co, Cd, and Hg exposures of all pregnant women (n = 446) were 44.0, 25.0, 6.62, 0.69, 0.15, 0.06, 0.04, 0.03, 0.03, and < 0.00 µg/kg bw/day, respectively. Bread consumption-induced Mn exposure was higher than the tolerable daily intake level. The HI (1.37 [Formula: see text] 1.71) related to bread consumption is greater than 1 in all pregnant women in different age groups and trimesters and bread consumption may cause some health concerns in terms of non-carcinogenic health risks for pregnant women. The bread consumption can be limited, but bread consumption should not be abandoned.

Bisphenols, but not phthalate esters, modulate gene expression in activated human MAIT cells in vitro.

One route of human exposure to environmental chemicals is oral uptake. This is primarily true for chemicals that may leach from food packaging materials, such as bisphenols and phthalate esters. Upon ingestion, these compounds are transported along the intestinal tract, from where they can be taken up into the blood stream or distributed to mucosal sites. At mucosal sites, mucosal immune cells and in the blood stream peripheral immune cells may be exposed to these chemicals potentially modulating immune cell functions. In the present study, we investigated the impact of three common bisphenols and two phthalate esters on mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells in vitro, a frequent immune cell type in the intestinal mucosae and peripheral blood of humans. All compounds were non-cytotoxic at the chosen concentrations. MAIT cell activation was only slightly affected as seen by flow cytometric analysis. Phthalate esters did not affect MAIT cell gene expression, while bisphenol-exposure induced significant changes. Transcriptional changes occurred in ∼ 25 % of genes for BPA, ∼ 22 % for BPF and ∼ 8 % for BPS. All bisphenols down-modulated expression of CCND2, CCL20, GZMB and IRF4, indicating an effect on MAIT cell effector function. Further, BPA and BPF showed a high overlap in modulated genes involved in cellular stress response, activation signaling and effector function suggesting that BPF may not be safe substitute for BPA.

The potential health risks of short-chain chlorinated paraffin: A mini-review from a toxicological perspective.

Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) are ubiquitously distributed in various environmental matrics due to their wide production and consumption globally in the past and ongoing production and use in some developing countries. SCCPs have been detected in various human samples including serum, milk, placenta, nail, and hair, and internal SCCP levels were found to be positively correlated with biomarkers of some diseases. While the environmental occurrence has been reported in a lot of studies, the toxicity and underlying molecular mechanisms of SCCPs remain largely unknown. The current tolerable daily intakes (TDIs) recommended by the world health organization/international programme on chemical safety (WHO/IPCS, 100 µg/kg bw/d) and the UK Committee on Toxicity (COT, 30 µg/kg bw/d) were obtained based on a no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of SCCP from the repeated-dose study (90 d exposure) in rodents performed nearly 40 years ago. Importantly, the health risks assessment of SCCPs in a variety of studies has shown that the estimated daily intakes (EDIs) may approach and even over the established TDI by UK COT. Furthermore, recent studies revealed that lower doses of SCCPs could also result in damage to multiple organs including the liver, kidney, and thyroid. Long-term effects of SCCPs at environmental-related doses are warranted.

Estimation of daily intake of food additives by Japanese young children using the market basket method in 2018.

To estimate the daily intake of food additives by young children aged 1-6 years in Japan, an intake survey was conducted in 2018 using the market basket method for food additives, including twelve types of colourants, three kinds of preservatives, three kinds of sweeteners and two kinds of food manufacturing agents. A list of the daily consumption of processed foods was prepared based on a special survey (MHLW 2011) and used for the estimation. The results of the survey showed that the food additives with the highest daily intake were phosphorus compounds (phosphoric acid and its salts; 11.2 mg/kg bw/day, expressed as phosphorus), followed by propylene glycol (0.80 mg/kg bw/day). The daily intake of other food additives ranged from 0 to 0.20 mg/kg bw/day. The estimated daily intake of each food additives by young children was compared with the acceptable daily intake (ADI) or maximum tolerable daily intake (MTDI). The highest ratio of the estimated daily intake to ADI was 3.2% for propylene glycol, whereas the ratios of the estimated daily intake to ADI for colourants, preservatives and sweeteners ranged from 0 to 1.1% (benzoic acid). The ratio of the estimated daily intake to MTDI for phosphorus compounds was 16%.

Evaluation of the genotoxic potential of acrylamide: Arguments for the derivation of a tolerable daily intake (TDI value).

This opinion of the Senate Commission on Food Safety (SKLM) of the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG) presents arguments for an updated risk assessment of diet-related exposure to acrylamide (AA), based on a critical review of scientific evidence relevant to low dose exposure. The SKLM arrives at the conclusion that as long as an appropriate exposure limit for AA is not exceeded, genotoxic effects resulting in carcinogenicity are unlikely to occur. Based on the totality of the evidence, the SKLM considers it scientifically justified to derive a tolerable daily intake (TDI) as a health-based guidance value.

Assessment of dietary exposure to nonylphenol in infant formula retailed in Shanghai / 上海预防医学

ObjectiveTo assess the health risk of dietary exposure to nonylphenol in infants aged 0-36 months through infant formula in Shanghai. MethodsA monitoring of nonylphenol pollution in infant formula was conducted in 2022. A total of 90 samples were obtained from maternal and infant stores， supermarkets， and online stores in Shanghai. Based on the daily consumption data of infant formula， a point assessment method was used to assess the dietary exposure to nonylphenol in infant formula. ResultsThe prevalence of nonylphenol in infant formula retailed in Shanghai was 95.6% （86/90）. The amount of nonylphenol varied from non-detected to 22.70 μg·kg-1， with the mean value of 8.47 μg·kg-1 and the P50 value of 7.77 μg·kg-1. The mean daily nonylphenol exposure （estimated by body weight） from infant formula in infants aged 0-6 months， 7-12 months and 13-36 months in Shanghai was 0.091， 0.068 and 0.054 μg·kg-1， respectively； furthermore， the P95 value of daily exposure （by body weight） was 0.228， 0.152 and 0.119 μg·kg-1， respectively. These amounts were much lower than the tolerable daily intake （TDI） of nonylphenol （by body weight 5 μg·kg-1）. ConclusionThe health risk of daliy nonylphenol intake from infant formula remains low among infants aged 0-36 months in Shanghai.

Dietary exposure assessment of deoxynivalenol in wheat flour and its products sold in Shanghai / 上海预防医学

ObjectiveTo investigate the pollution level of deoxynivalenol （DON） in wheat flour and its products sold in Shanghai， and to assess the health risks of DON exposure for residents in Shanghai who ingested DON from wheat flour and its products. MethodsRisk monitoring data of DON in wheat flour and its products sold in Shanghai from 2017 to 2021 were combined with the consumption data of wheat flour and its products by Shanghai residents. A probabilistic assessment method was used to assess dietary exposure of DON in wheat flour and its products. ResultsThe overall detection rate of DON in wheat flour and its products was 77.3% （1 041/1 347）， with a mean concentration of 226.3 μg·kg-1， P50 of 130.0 μg·kg-1 and a maximum value of 3 080.0 μg·kg-1. The mean daily exposure and 95th percentile daily exposure （by body weight） of DON from wheat flour and its products in Shanghai residents were 0.279 μg·kg-1 and 1.146 μg·kg， accounting for 27.9% and 114.6% of the daily tolerable intake of DON TDI， 1 μg·kg， respectively. The probability assessment results indicated that 6.1% of the whole population in Shanghai had DON exposure exceeding the TDI value. Among them， 12.8% of the population aged 6 years old and below， 16.4% of the population aged between 7 and 17 years old， 3.9% of the population aged between 18 and 59 years old and 3.2% of the population aged 60 years old and above exceeded the TDI value for daily DON exposure through wheat flour and its products. ConclusionCertain populations in Shanghai may face certain health risks from daily DON intake wheat flour and its products. Special attention should be paid to the health risk of daily DON exposure through wheat flour and its products for individuals age below 18 years old .

Estimated daily intake of phthalates, parabens, and bisphenol A in hospitalised very low birth weight infants.

Very low birth weight infants (VLBW, birth weight (BW) < 1500 g) are exposed to phthalates, parabens and bisphenol A (BPA) early in life. We estimated daily intake (EDI) of these excipients in 40 VLBW infants the first and fifth week of life while hospitalised. Based on urinary samples collected in 2010, EDI was calculated and compared to the tolerable daily intake (TDI) with hazard quotients (HQs) evaluated. A HQ > 1 indicates that EDI exceeded TDI with increased risk of adverse health effects. EDI was higher in VLBW infants compared to term-born infants and older children. VLBW infants born at earlier gestational age (GA), or with lower BW, had higher EDI than infants born at later GA or with higher BW. First week median EDI for BPA was higher than TDI in 100% of infants, in 75% for di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), 90% for the sum of butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), DEHP and di-iso-nonyl phthalate (DiNP) = ∑BBzP+DnBP+DEHP+DiNP, and in 50% of infants for propylparaben (PrPa), indicating increased risk of adverse effects. Fifth week EDI remained higher than TDI in all infants for BPA, in 75% for DEHP and ∑BBzP+DnBP+DEHP+DiNP, and 25% of infants for PrPa, indicating prolonged risk. Maximum EDI for di-iso-butyl phthalate was higher than TDI suggesting risk of adverse effects at maximum exposure. VLBW infants born earlier than 28 weeks GA had higher EDI, above TDI, for PrPa compared to infants born later than 28 weeks GA. Infants with late-onset septicaemia (LOS) had higher EDI for DEHP, ∑BBzP+DnBP+DEHP+DiNP and BPA, above TDI, compared to infants without LOS. More 75% of the infants' EDI for DEHP and ∑BBzP+DnBP+DEHP+DiNP, 25% for PrPa, and 100% of infants' EDI for BPA, were above TDI resulting in HQs > 1, indicating increased risk of adverse health effects.

Toxicological assessment compilation of selected examples of raw materials for homeopathic and anthroposophic medicinal products - Part 2.

The present successor article comprises more than 180 substances representing a continuative compilation of toxicologically evaluated starting materials prompted by the wide use and high number of homeopathic and anthroposophic medicinal products (HMP) on the market together with the broad spectrum of active substances of botanical, mineral, chemical or animal origin contained therein, and by the equally important requirement of applying adequate safety principles as with conventional human medicinal products in line with the European regulatory framework. The February 2019 issue of the Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology journal includes the antecedent article bearing the same title and entailing safety evaluations of more than 170 raw materials processed in HMP. This part 2 article highlights scientific evaluation following recognized methods used in toxicology with a view to drug-regulatory authority's assessment principles and practice in the context of HMP, and offers useful systematic, scientifically substantiated and simultaneously pragmatic approaches in differentiated HMP risk assessment. As a unique feature, both articles provide the most extensive publicly available systematic compilation of a considerable number of substances processed in HMP as a transparent resource for applicants, pharmaceutical manufacturers, the scientific community and healthcare authorities to actively support regulatory decision making in practice.

Persistent organic pollutants in foods, their interplay with gut microbiota and resultant toxicity.

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) have become immensely prevalent in the environment as a result of their unique chemical properties (persistent, semi-volatile and bioaccumulative nature). Their occurrence in the soil, water and subsequently in food has become a matter of concern. With food being one of the major sources of exposure, the detrimental impact of these chemicals on the gut microbiome is inevitable. The gut microbiome is considered as an important integrant for human health. It participates in various physiological, biochemical and immunological activities; thus, affects the metabolism and physiology of the host. A myriad of studies have corroborated an association between POP-induced gut microbial dysbiosis and prevalence of disorders. For instance, ingestion of polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers or organochlorine pesticides influenced bile acid metabolism via alteration of bile salt hydrolase activity of Lactobacillus, Clostridium or Bacteroides genus. At the same time, some chemicals such as DDE have the potential to elevate Proteobacteria and Firmicutes/Bacteriodetes ratio influencing their metabolic activity leading to enhanced short-chain fatty acid synthesis, ensuing obesity or a pre-diabetic state. This review highlights the impact of POPs exposure on the gut microbiota composition and metabolic activity, along with an account of its corresponding consequences on the host physiology. The critical role of gut microbiota in impeding the POPs excretion out of the body resulting in their prolonged exposure and consequently, enhanced degree of toxicity is also emphasized.

Long-term orally exposure of dioxins affects antigen-specific antibody production in mice.

Dioxins are persistent environmental toxins that are still present in the food supply despite strong efforts to minimize exposure. Dioxins ingested by humans accumulate in fat and are excreted very slowly, so their long-term effects at low concentrations are a matter of concern. It is necessary to consider long-term, low-dose continuous administration under conditions that are as close as possible to a person's diet. In this study, we orally administered 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), the most common dioxin, at low doses in mice and observed the immunological effects. We found that antigen-specific (OVA) antibody production in the serum increased dose-dependently by TCDD concentrations below 500 ng/kg after long-term (10 weeks) exposure. Similar increases were seen in fecal and vaginal samples but were not significant. Th1 and Th2 lymphocyte responses, as determined by antibody and cytokine production, also significantly increased dose-dependently up to 500 ng/kg TCDD, and the Th1/Th2 balance was shifted toward Th1. These results indicate that low-dose, long-term TCDD exposure results in immunological abnormalities, perhaps by increasing antigen permeability. Different doses of dioxins may have opposing effects, being immunostimulatory at low doses (100 ng/kg/day) and immunosuppressive at high doses (500 ng/kg/day).

Dietary exposure assessment of chlorate in infant formula / 上海预防医学

ObjectiveTo investigate chlorate contamination level in infant formula sold in Shanghai， and to evaluate the dietary exposure risk to infants in Shanghai. MethodsWith the risk monitoring data of chlorate in infant formula sold in Shanghai in 2020， combined with the dietary consumption data of infants， the dietary exposure of chlorate in infant formula was assessed via the point assessment method. ResultsIn 2020， the overall detection rate of chlorate in 120 infant formula samples was 98.3% （118/120）， the mean content was 124.5 μg⋅kg-1， the 50 percentile value was 64.6 μg⋅kg-1， and the maximum value was 1 475.0 μg⋅kg-1. The mean and 95 percentile value of daily chlorate intake from infant formula for infants aged 0‒36 months in Shanghai were 1.10 and 1.84 μg⋅kg-1， accounting for 36.7% and 61.3% of the tolerable daily intake （TDI） of chlorate （3μg⋅kg-1）， respectively. The mean， 50 percentile value and 95 percentile value of daily chlorate exposure of infants in different month-age groups （0‒6 months， 6‒12 months， 12‒36 months） through infant formula were lower than the TDI value. ConclusionThe health risk of daily chlorate intake from infant formula for infants and young children aged 0‒36 months in Shanghai is at an acceptable level.

Impact of processing method on selected trace elements content of green tea: Does CTC green tea infusion possess risk towards human health?

This study reported the content of selected metals, viz. cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) as well as non-carcinogenic risks of orthodox green tea and CTC (crush, tear and curl) green tea (Camellia sinensis L.) in India. Results revealed that significantly higher amount of Cr (1.26-10.48 mg kg-1), Cu (13.40-22.73 mg kg-1), Fe (54.14-99.65 mg kg-1), Ni (3.43-7.09 mg kg-1), and Zn (25.04-38.04 mg kg-1) in CTC green tea than orthodox one. However, no definite trend was observed for Cd and Pb, with overall contents ranged from 6.68 to 23.32 µg kg-1 and 0.04 to 0.13 mg kg-1, respectively. The extraction of the elements in tea infusion was higher for CTC green tea. The hazard quotient and hazard index values of all the studied metals were less than unity, confirming no significant health effect for consumers assuming drinking of 750 mL tea infusion prepared from 10 g green tea per day per person.

Dose-response evaluation of urinary cadmium and kidney injury biomarkers in Chinese residents and dietary limit standards.

BACKGROUND: Cadmium (Cd) is a common heavy metal that mainly causes renal damage. There is a lack of research on the large-scale and systematic evaluation of the association between urinary Cd (U-Cd) and various effect biomarkers among Chinese residents. METHODS: Based on the establishment process of dietary Cd limit standards by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the dose-response relationships between U-Cd and four biomarkers, ß2-microglobulin (ß2-MG), N-acetyl-ß-glucosidase (NAG), microalbumin (mALB), and retinol binding Protein (RBP) were explored, respectively. Toxicokinetic model was used to derive the dietary Cd exposure limit for Chinese residents after critical U-Cd concentration was calculated. RESULTS: As the sensitive biomarkers of renal injury, ß2-MG and NAG were selected to estimate the 95% confidence interval lower limit of the U-Cd benchmark dose (BMDL5) to be 3.07 and 2.98 µg/g Cr, respectively. Dietary Cd exposure limit was calculated to be 0.28 µg/kg bw/day (16.8 µg/day, based on the body weight of 60 kg), which was lower than the average Chinese Cd exposure (30.6 µg/day) by the China National Nutrient and Health Survey. CONCLUSION: This study established an overall association between U-Cd and renal injury biomarkers, and explored the Chinese dietary Cd exposure limits, which helps improve Chinese Cd exposure risk assessment and provides a reference basis for formulating reasonable exposure standards.

Health risk assessment of endocrine disruptor bisphenol A leaching from plastic bottles of milk and soft drinks.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is of major concern to public health due to its toxic potential and xenoestrogenic endocrine-disrupting effect. One of the major sources of BPA comes from the plastic bottles used to pack milk and soft drinks. The purpose of the present study was to assess and compare the risk associated with BPA transfer from plastic bottles to milk and soft drinks being stored in summer and winter conditions. A sensitive and reliable method of solid phase extraction cartridge packed with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was employed. In milk samples (supplied in plastic bottles) of winter season, BPA levels were 0.17-0.32 mg/ kg. In milk samples of summer season, BPA levels were 0.77-1.59 mg/ kg. In soft drink samples of winter, BPA levels were between 0.14 and 0.3 mg/kg. While in 4-month-aged summer soft drink samples, BPA levels were 0.7-1.02 mg/kg of food. The daily exposure dose (DED) of BPA in milk samples of winter season was 1.42-2.67 µg/kg which was below the standard tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 50 µg of BPA/kg of body weight as per USEPA. The DED of BPA in milk samples of summer season was 5.58-10 µg/kg of body weight which was also less than TDI. For soft drink samples, BPA from winter samples was ranged from 1.17 to 1.67 µg/kg of body weight while for summer 4-month-aged samples was 2.5-7.08 µg/kg of body weight. Both types of samples were still less than TDI of BPA.

Dietary exposure assessment of methylmercury and polyunsaturated fatty acids in saltwater fish and processed foods among Taiwanese women of child-bearing age and children: A novel core food-matching approach.

Saltwater fish is rich in health-promoting polyunsaturated fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Excessive fish intake may also cause health hazards due to methylmercury (MeHg). A novel dose estimation method was proposed in this study to improve the quality of food matching by considering the usage ratio of cooking and processing methods in sampling design. In total, 39 table-ready samples were specified according to 2-3 common cooking methods, and MeHg and total mercury (THg) were analyzed. The results showed that mercury was detected in 20 samples (LOD = 0.01 µg/g). High MeHg samples included fried-Spanish mackerel (1.23 µg/g), non-cooked shredded swordfish (0.325 µg/g), pan-fried Spanish mackerel (0.248 µg/g), and non-cooked shredded salmon (0.208 µg/g). Consumption data (n = 166,911) were obtained from 24-h recalls in the 2005-2008 Nutrition and Health Surveys in Taiwan (NAHSIT). The average whole-group estimated daily intake (EDI_WG) was 0.018 (7.9% tolerable daily intake, TDI) for women of child-bearing age and 0.031 µg/day per kg body weight (13.6% TDI) for children. However, 95th percentile values (P95) of 90.4% TDI and 185% TDI were estimated for the two consumer-only populations, which have raised public health concerns. The ratio of % TDI to % daily reference intake (% DRI) was used as a risk-benefit (R/B) indicator. The top 4 R/B foods were: tuna sashimi (0.089 and 0.14), non-cooked shredded swordfish (0.033 and 0.052), fried-Spanish mackerel (0.027 and 0.043) and deep-fried fish balls (0.022 and 0.035) in the two perspective populations.

Assessment of exposure to nickel intake with selected cereal grains and cereal-based products.

BACKGROUND: Cereal grains and their products are among the basic components of the diet all over the world. Their consumption varies depending on the dietary habits in each country. Apart from ingredients valuable from a health point of view, these products can also be a source of contaminants. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) included these foodstuffs in the group of main contributors to the dietary exposure to nickel by different groups of the population. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the studies was to determine the nickel content in cereal grains and selected cereal products commercially available in Poland and to assess the exposure of consumers to nickel intake with these foodstuffs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 56 samples of cereal grain and cereal products from trade were tested. Nickel content was determined after microwave mineralization of the samples by atomic absorption spectrometry with a graphite furnace atomization (GFAAS). The estimated exposure for the different groups of the population was assessed and compared with the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) value established by the European Food Safety Authority based on an updated risk assessment at 13 µg/kg body weight (b.w.) per day. RESULTS: The mean (MB) and 95th percentile (MB) nickel content in investigated samples of cereal grains and their products were 0.66 mg/kg and 1.93 mg/kg. The mean content of Ni in the analyzed samples of grains was 1.16 mg/kg. Obtained results in this group of products ranged from 0.10 mg/kg for rye to 4.80 mg/kg for millet. In the group of grain products, the mean (MB) concentration of nickel was 0.61 mg/kg (95th percentile (MB) 1.84 mg/kg). The highest nickel level was determined in the samples of bran, groats, and flakes compared to other grain-based products. The highest content of Ni in the group of cereal products was found in the samples of roasted buckwheat 1.81 mg/kg and oat flakes 2.53 mg/kg. Significantly lower nickel content was observed in barley groats as well as for pasta and flour. The estimated average exposure of adults and children to nickel intake with grains and grain-based products ranged from 1.1% to 13.4% of TDI and it does not pose a health risk for consumers. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the obtained results, it was found that the nickel content in the tested samples of cereals and their products does not pose a health risk, even though the contamination of individual samples was significant.