How are food additives and preservatives evaluated for safety?
Food additives and preservatives are evaluated through rigorous toxicological testing to ensure their safety for human consumption. This process includes acute, sub-chronic, and chronic toxicity studies, as well as assessments of potential carcinogenicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity, and allergenicity. Regulatory agencies such as the FDA and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) review these data to establish acceptable daily intake (ADI) levels. Risk assessments are conducted to evaluate exposure levels and ensure they are within safe limits for consumers.
