Tartrazine Exposure Assessment by Using Food Frequency Method in North Jakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

Stipulating maximum level of food additives in food should be conducted to anticipate excessive usage, guarantee food safety, and as reference in food inspection. However, to support adequate stipulating, information about food additives exposure assessment must available. In fact, this information is stills very few in Indonesia. Tartrazine is one of food additives that most frequently used in food product. The objective of this research was to conduct the exposure assess-ment of tartrazine from food products which have enlisted in National Agency for Drug and Food Control (NADFC) of Indonesia by using food frequency method with respondent from North Jakarta. The steps of research were survey preparation, food consumption survey from 150 respondents representing groups of children, adolescents and adults, data processing, and data analysis. The result showed that mean value of food consumption containing tartrazine by all respondents was 306.38 g/person/day. The highest mean of consumption in total population groups was by children due to higher food consumption frequency and portion. The five highest food containing tartrazine which were consumed by all respondents were instant noodles, powdered drink, non-carbonated drink, carbonated drink and biscuits. All expo-sure assessment in this research did not exceed the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for tartrazine. The mean value of exposure by all respondents was 231.24 μg/kg BW (3.08% ADI). The highest mean value of exposure in total population groups was by children due to their higher food consumption and lower body weight. The major contributing foods to tartrazine exposure were instant noodles, non-carbonated drink, powdered drink, biscuits, and snacks. Instant noodles had the highest mean value of consumption and tartrazine exposure for all respondents in North Jakarta. Respondent which had the highest mean value of consumption and tartrazine exposure was by children. Snacks were relative low consumed but high tartrazine exposure.