Dietary exposure assessment in a total diet study

Abstract

The main purpose of conducting a dietary exposure assessment for a total diet study is to estimate likely levels of exposure to food chemicals for the population and/or population sub-groups from the diet and the associated level of risk to public health and safety. Dietary exposure assessment forms an essential part of the risk assessment process and is a quantitative base from which risk management and public health decisions can be made if necessary [1] (see Part I, Chap. 4). While the formula for calculating dietary exposures is simple, the techniques and considerations for its application are more complex.