Abstract
Background/purposeThe number of dietary exposure assessment studies focussing on children is very limited. Children are however a vulnerable group due to their higher food consumption level per kg body weight. Therefore, the EXPOCHI project aims [1] to create a relational network of individual food consumption databases in children, covering different geographical areas within Europe, and [2] to use these data to assess the usual intake of lead, chromium, selenium and food colours.MethodsEXPOCHI includes 14 food consumption databases focussed on children (1-14 y old). The data are considered representative at national/regional level: 14 regions covering 13 countries. Since the aim of the study is to perform long-term exposure assessments, only data derived from 24 hr dietary recalls and dietary records recorded on at least two non-consecutive days per individual were included in the dietary exposure assessments. To link consumption data and concentration data of lead, chromium and selenium in a standardised way, categorisation of the food consumption data was based on the food categorisation system described within the SCOOP Task report 3.2.11. For food colours, the food categorisation system specified in the Council Directive 94/36/EC was used.ConclusionThe EXPOCHI project includes a pan-European long-term exposure assessment of lead, chromium, selenium and food colours among children living in 13 different EU countries. However, the different study methods and designs used to collect the data in the different countries necessitate an in-depth description of these different methods and a discussion about the resulting limitations.
Highlights
Until now, the number of dietary exposure assessment studies focussing on children has been very limited [1,2,3,4]
The main objective of this paper is to describe and discuss the study design and methods used within the EXPOCHI project so that future manuscripts describing the results of the four exposure assessments, and possible future exposure assessments executed in the frame of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) opinions, can refer to this paper for the in-depth project description
Compilation of individual food consumption data among children in Europe As mentioned above, this project aimed at structuring in a harmonised way different individual food consumption databases on children (1-14 years old), representative of diverse regions/countries within Europe, and covering different geographical areas, as a basis for exposure assessments carried out for/by EFSA
Summary
The number of dietary exposure assessment studies focussing on children has been very limited [1,2,3,4]. Most studies that have been published focused on dietary/chemical intakes among adults It has, development of different organ systems during childhood, children may be more sensitive to neurotoxic, endocrine, and immunological toxic effects up to 4 years of age. The project described in this paper aimed to provide important input data to estimate the dietary exposure to selected additives and chemical substances present in foods among children. This project, called ‘Individual food consumption data and exposure assessment studies for children’ (acronym: EXPOCHI), was financed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and ran for 13 months, from 1 November 2008 until 30 November 2009
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