The concept of the acceptable daily intake: An historical review∗

Abstract

In the first section the sequence of events is outlined which leads to the author's proposal to consider the concept of acceptable daily intake (ADI) for pesticide residues. He developed his theory referring to specific aspects during meetings with experts on the toxicological evaluation of chemical agents which become introduced into foodstuffs intentionally or unintentionally. These meetings were organized periodically by the European Council or Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committees on food additives (JECFA) or pesticide residues (JMPR). The general principles of the ADI evaluation are briefly described as being based on the determination (after extended absorption) of a no-effect dose level in an appropriate animal species; followed by the application, for the extrapolation of the results in animals to humans, of safety factors taking into account the interspecies sensitivity variations and individual sensitivity variations in the groups of essentially heterogeneous human consumers. It is pointed out that the ADI value, which depends on a series of factors, is not a constant, but a guide serving to calculate the admissible limits of diverse chemical agents incorporated in foodstuffs. It must take into account the usual normalities between medium terms of consumption varying a lot with the countries and the various consumer groups. It is clearly noted that, because of the fluctuations in the type and the quantities of absorbed diets, the ADI is in reality an integrated value with regard to the time, a notion that is often forgotten. Other ideas are developed, in particular on the adoption of a temporary ADI and on the concept of a non-specified ADI.

Scientific evaluation of the safety factor for the acceptable daily intake (ADI). Case study: Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)

“…The scientific, quantitative approach could help to avoid the 'poor conditions of application' mentioned in the review by Truhaut (1991).…”

“…An excellent review of the principles and the history of their development has recently been published (Truhaut 1991).…”

Statistical analysis of a dynamic model for dietary contaminant exposure

“…The Tolerable Intake is then established by multiplying this experimental value, known as the Non Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) by a relevant safety factor, taking into account both inter-species and inter-individual variabilities. This approach dates from the early sixties, see Truhaut [1991], and is internationally recognized in Food Safety, see IPCS. The third and fourth steps of risk assessment consists of assessing the exposure to the chemical of interest for the studied population, and comparing it to the daily or weekly tolerable intake.…”

Trends and challenges in risk assessment of environmental contaminants

“…The ADI has been defined as ''the daily intake of chemical which, during the entire life time, appears to be without appreciable risk on the basis of all known facts at the time'' (Truhaut 1991). Alternative nomenclature around the world includes the minimal risk level (MRL), the tolerable daily intake/concentration (TDI/TC), the estimated-concentration-of-no-concern (ECNC), and the reference dose/concentration (RfD/RfC) depending on the regulatory agency (Table 1).…”