Joint FAO/WHO Geneva consultation--acute dietary intake methodology

Significant developments have been made at the international level in the methodology for conducting dietary risk assessments. The existing chronic exposure assessment methodology has been updated so that it takes account of the level of residues to which consumers are most likely to be exposed. In addition, short-term exposure assessment methodology has also been developed. This uses portion size data and takes account of the variability in residue levels between individual units where this is appropriate to the way the commodity is consumed. Other refinements to the assessment can also be made. Although the short-term methodology has been used successfully by a number of regulatory authorities, there is a need for data on portion sizes and typical unit weights before it can be fully implemented internationally.