The use of food additives is regulated by Regulation (EC) No. 1333/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on food additives. Food additives must be safe for human health, there must be a technological need for their use, their use must not mislead consumers and they must be beneficial to them. In these reports, the intake levels of colorants, preservatives and sweeteners are estimated for the Austrian population. For this purpose, national data on consumption and the maximum permitted (level 2) or actual use levels (level 3) of the food additives are used. The basis for the calculations of the actual use levels are analysis results of food samples that were examined by us. The results of the exposure estimates for the Austrian population show that the calculated intake levels for most food additives are below the respective ADI value. Since ADI values are derived assuming a daily lifetime exposure, even a short-term exceedance does not pose a risk to humans yet, a long-term exceedance should be avoided.

Report 2010