Estimation of preservative concentrations in food and their daily intake based on official inspection results in Japan in fiscal year 1996

Abstract

Mean concentration and daily intake of preservatives were estimated based on the results of analysis of 112,131 samples of food obtained at official inspections by Japanese local governments in fiscal year 1996. The mean concentration of benzoic acid was 7.8% of the allowable limits, and those of dehydroacetic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, propionic acid and sorbic acid were 0.4%, 2.9%, 1.7% and 14.1%, respectively. Daily intakes of these preservatives per person estimated from the concentrations and daily consumption of the foods were 11.0 mg, 0.0474 mg, 1.06 mg, 5.43 mg and 26.0 mg, respectively, and assuming a body weight of 50 kg, these amounts of benzoic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and sorbic acid were 4.4%, 0.2% and 2.1% of the acceptable daily intakes, respectively. These values were similar to those based on the results of the official inspection in fiscal year 1994.