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Different dietary patterns in relation to age and the consequences for intake of food chemicals
1Additives and Novel Foods Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, London, UK.
Insights
Children consume more food additives and contaminants than adults. Young children
Area of Science:
- Food safety and toxicology
- Pediatric nutrition
Background:
- Infants in the UK are introduced to solid foods early, often family foods.
- Young children consume significantly higher quantities of certain foods and drinks compared to adults on a body weight basis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if children's exposure to food additives and contaminants is higher than adults.
- To assess the implications of higher intake levels in children.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of UK food consumption surveys.
- Risk assessment for specific contaminants like chlorinated dibenzodioxins and saccharin.
- Comparison of intake levels between children and adults based on body weight.
Main Results:
- Young children (1.5-4.5 years) consume up to 5 times more dairy, puddings, and confectionery than adults.
- Children's soft drink consumption can be up to 16 times higher than adults on a body weight basis.
- Risk assessments indicated children's intake of chlorinated dibenzodioxins and saccharin exceeded safe limits (Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake/Acceptable Daily Intake).
Conclusions:
- Children, particularly young children, face a higher exposure risk to food additives and contaminants.
- Current dietary patterns in children may lead to exceeding established safe intake levels for certain substances.
- Risk management strategies are crucial to mitigate potential health risks associated with higher exposures in pediatric populations.
Abstract:
This paper principally addresses the question of whether exposure to food additives/contaminants is likely to be higher in children than adults. Food consumption surveys conducted in the United Kingdom indicated that 99% of infants were receiving some solid food at 6 months of age (mean age of introduction 13 weeks), mainly 'family' foods not specifically produced for infants. On a body weight basis, young children, age 1 1/2-4 1/2 years, were shown to consume more than adults most notably of dairy products, puddings and confectionery (up to five times adult intakes) and of soft drinks (up to 16 times adult values). Two examples of risk assessments are given, for chlorinated dibenzodioxins and saccharin, where the intake was highest in children, in some cases exceeding the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake or Acceptable Daily Intake, respectively. The necessary risk management measures taken are discussed.