The 50th percentile of the general population single eating occasion intake of food is optimal for the calculation of action levels for precautionary allergen labelling

• Published in: Food and chemical toxicology 2023-09, Vol.179, p.113953-113953, Article 113953
• Main Authors: Blom, W. Marty, Westerhout, Joost, Houben, Geert F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Action level calculation; Allergen management; Deterministic risk assessment; Food allergy; Food consumption percentile; Food intake amount
• ISSN: 0278-6915; 1873-6351
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.113953

Lack of guidance regarding selection of food intake values for allergen risk assessment can lead to different outcomes for similar levels of allergens in food products. Several food consumption survey databases (United States, North-West Europe, and Netherlands) were analyzed to identify optimal food intake percentiles using a sensitivity analysis. Deterministic risk assessment scenarios using the 50th percentile up to the maximum intake per food group were compared with probabilistic risk assessment outcomes. The optimal intake percentile is the lowest percentile that results in a deterministic risk assessment outcome compliant with the predefined safety objective, i.e., the predefined risk of an objective allergic reaction at ED01, ED2.5, ED05 or ED10 doses of 14 allergenic foods. The P50 intake met these criteria in more than 99.9% of all 28,784 scenarios tested. The P50 is therefore recommended for deterministic allergen risk assessment and calculation of action levels for precautionary allergen labelling. In case a P50 value is not available, the mean is a good alternative, as analyses of the intake data showed that the mean generally is between the P50 and P65. •A sensitivity analysis provided optimal point estimates of consumption distributions.•The analysis addressed safety objectives from ED01 to ED10.•The addressed ED-range covered FAO-WHO recommended Reference Doses.•The 50th percentile of single meal consumption generally fulfilled the predefined safety objectives.•Mean single meal consumption is an alternative for use in allergen risk assessment.