Open AccessGuidance for establishing and applying tolerable upper intake levels for vitamins and essential minerals
Author(s) -
Turck Dominique,
Bohn Torsten,
Castenmiller Jacqueline,
De Henauw Stefaan,
HirschErnst Karen Ildico,
Knutsen Helle Katrine,
Maciuk Alexandre,
Mangelsdorf Inge,
McArdle Harry J,
Peláez Carmen,
Pentieva Kristina,
Siani Alfonso,
Thies Frank,
Tsabouri Sophia,
Vinceti Marco,
Aggett Peter,
Crous Bou Marta,
Cubadda Francesco,
de Sesmaisons Lecarré Agnès,
Martino Laura,
Naska Androniki
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
efsa journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.076
H-Index - 97
ISSN - 1831-4732
DOI - 10.2903/j.efsa.2022.e200102
Subject(s) - risk assessment , micronutrient , environmental health , hazard analysis , hazard , dietary reference intake , reference dose , risk analysis (engineering) , nutrient , business , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , biology , computer science , engineering , ecology , computer security , pathology , aerospace engineering
Vitamins and essential minerals are micronutrients that are essential for the normal functioning of the human body. However, they may lead to adverse health effects if consumed in excess. The concept of a tolerable upper intake level (UL) is a science‐based reference value, which was introduced to support policy‐makers and other relevant actors in managing the risks of excess nutrient intake. EFSA’s principles for establishing ULs for vitamins and minerals were originally developed by the Scientific Committee on Food in 2000. Since then, experience has been gained and the scientific field developed. This guidance from the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens provides an updated framework to support EFSA’s UL assessments. It covers aspects related to the planning of the risk assessment (problem formulation and definition of methods) and its implementation (evidence retrieval, appraisal, synthesis, integration, uncertainty analysis). As in the previous framework, the general principles developed for the risk assessment of chemicals in food are applied (hazard identification, hazard characterisation, intake assessment, risk characterisation). Peculiar to nutrients are their biochemical and physiological roles and the specific and selective mechanisms that maintain the systemic homoeostasis and body burden of the nutrient. These must be considered when conducting a risk assessment of nutrients. This document constitutes a draft guidance that will be applied in EFSA’s assessments during a 1‐year pilot phase and be revised and complemented as necessary. Before finalisation of the guidance, a public consultation will be launched.