The Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) is the maximum amount of a substance that a healthy person can ingest from food or water without harm. It is established through animal testing and is measured as the mass of a substance per kilogram of body weight per day. The ADI only determines safety and can be exceeded for short periods. Adjustments should be made for different populations. Contaminants have a separate measure of tolerable daily intake.
The Acceptable Daily Intake, also known simply as the ADI, refers to the maximum amount of a substance, such as a pesticide or food additive, that a healthy person can ingest from food or drinking water over the long term, on a daily basis, without any harmful effect. The ADI is measured as the mass (in milligrams) of a substance per kilogram of body weight per day and comes from extensive research. Substances in food include not only additives, but also any substance that may come into contact with food during packaging and handling, such as coatings, adhesives, and sealants.
The determination of the ADI was first suggested in 1957 by the Council of Europe and supported by the United Nations World Food and Agriculture Organization / World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives. The purpose was to establish uniform worldwide security standards. Many government bodies that regulate food safety, including the US Food and Drug Administration, now recognize ADI standards.
Acceptable daily intake is established after animal toxicology testing at various doses. To determine the ADI, a substance is assigned a concern level of I, II, or III. Tier I is the lowest estimated risk, while Tier III substances are the highest estimated risk. Tests are administered based on the level of concern for the substance. Tier III substances require more extensive testing than Tier I substances.
A no observable effect level is determined from the test results. If multiple outcomes from multiple studies are determined, the lowest NOEL is used. A factor of 100 is used to explain the differences between humans and animals, and to account for the different levels of sensitivity between individuals.
The resulting Acceptable Daily Intake indicates the maximum safe level of intake for a healthy adult weighing 132 pounds (60 kilograms). Adjustments should be considered for people who do not fit this category, such as the elderly, the infirm, infants, and children. The factor of 100 can partially explain these differences, as well as the differences in sensitivity. It should be noted that the ADI only determines safety, not a level of toxicity, and can be safely exceeded for short periods. The ADI should not be taken as an absolute number, but as a recommendation subject to change if new information becomes available.
Some food substances are considered contaminants. For these substances, a separate measure of the tolerable daily intake is determined. Contaminants are considered substances that have no reason to be in food, unlike food additives, pesticides, or veterinary drugs.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
