Cadmium and lead content in fresh and canned peas

Cadium and lead in raw, blanched and canned peas were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The daily intake of cadmium and lead from peas in Spain was evaluated. The cadmium content of the peas ranged from less than 0.004 to 0.015 μg^?1, whereas the lead content varied from 0.49 to 0.223 μg^?1. The concentraiton of both elements was compared at different stages of the process. Statistically significant differences were found in the lead levels as a function of size and the different stages of the canning process. The mena level of cadmium and lead (0.041 μgg^?1 and 0.092 μgg^?1 respectively) could account for a daily intake of 0.1 μg day^?1 for cadmium and 1.1 μg day^?1 for lead.     

Determination of lead and cadmium content in sausages from Iran

The contents of lead and cadmium in five major brands of six types of cooked beef sausages consumed in Iran were determined by a graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometer (GFAAS) after hydrogen peroxide/nitric acid digestion. The metal content in the samples, expressed in µg?kg^?1 wet weight, varied from 24.0 to 158.7 with an average of 53.5 for lead and from 2.2 to 13.5 with an average of 5.7 for cadmium. The highest lead and cadmium concentrations were obtained from a German sausage (158.7?µg?kg^?1; brand B) and hot dog (13.5?µg?kg^?1; brand D), respectively. The results indicate that the sausages from Iran have concentrations below the permitted levels for these heavy metals. The daily dietary intakes and the percentage contribution of the two considered metals to the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) were calculated for sausages.     

Phytoavailability, human risk assessment and transfer characteristics of cadmium and zinc contamination from urban gardens in Kano, Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Quantitative data about phytoavailability and transfer into consumed plant parts for heavy metals in intensively managed urban vegetable production areas of sub‐Saharan Africa are scarce. We therefore studied the transfer of zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) from soil to the root and subsequent translocation to edible portions of four vegetables in six urban gardens. RESULTS: While respective diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)‐available Zn and Cd concentrations ranged from 18 to 66 mg kg^?1 and from 0.19 to 0.35 mg kg^?1, respectively, in soils, total Zn and Cd were 8.4–256 mg kg^?1 and 0.04–1.7 mg kg^?1 in shoot parts. Metal transfer factor (MTF) ratios were higher in Zn (0.2–0.9) than in Cd (0.1–0.6). Our data suggest that total Zn concentration in soil is a reliable indicator to assess its transfer from soil to crop in lettuce, carrot and parsley, while for Cd DTPA‐extractable concentration may be used to estimate soil–crop transfer of Cd in amaranthus and carrot. Overall, Cd was more easily translocated to the aerial plant parts than Zn. CONCLUSION: Zinc and Cd accumulation by vegetables in our soils is mainly a metabolically controlled process. Such accumulation can contaminate the ecosystem but under our conditions intake and ingestion of these metals will likely have to occur over a prolonged period to experience health hazard. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Assessment of the dietary intake of propylene glycol in the Korean population

An improved method for the analysis of propylene glycol (PG) in foods using a gas chromatography-flame ionisation detector (GC-FID), with confirmation by GC-MS, was validated by measuring several analytical parameters. The PG concentrations in 1073 products available in Korean markets were determined. PG was detected in 74.1% of the samples, in a concentration range from the limit of detection (n.d., 0.39 μg ml^?1) to 12,819.9 mg kg^?1. The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2011–2013 reported the mean intake levels of PG from all sources by the general population and consumers were 26.3 mg day^?1 (0.52 mg kg^?1 day^?1) and 34.3 mg day^?1 (0.67 mg kg^?1 day^?1), respectively. The 95th percentile intake levels of the general population and consumers were 123.6 mg day^?1 (2.39 mg kg^?1 day^?1) and 146.3 mg day^?1 (2.86 mg kg^?1 day^?1), respectively. In all groups of the general population, breads were the main contributors to the total PG intake. These reports provide a current perspective on the daily intake of PG in the Korean population.     

Toxic and essential metals in Cyprinus carpio,Carassius gibelio,and Luciobarbus esocinus tissues from Keban Dam Lake,Pertek, Turkey

In various tissues of Luciobarbus esocinus, Cyprinus carpio, and Carassius gibelio which were taken from Keban Dam Lake Pertek region’s freshwaters, Turkey in January–February 2016, concentrations of mercury, nickel, lead, cadmium, arsenic, manganese, chromium, and cobalt were analysed by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) after microwave digestion. In fish muscle mean chromium concentration (0.614 mg kg^?1 in C. carpio muscle) was higher than the maximum limits as set by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency and World Health Organisation. Additionally, mean concentration of lead (0.380 mg kg^?1 in C. gibelio muscle) was higher compared to the maximum limit as set by Turkish Standards. Furthermore, in the assessment of the potential health risk, estimated weekly and daily intake of all metals were considerably below permissible tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) and permissible tolerable daily intake values. As a result, consumption of these fish species from this region does not pose a problem on human health.     

Heavy metals in vegetables and respective soils irrigated by canal,municipal waste and tube well waters

Heavy metal contamination in the food chain is of serious concern due to the potential risks involved. The results of this study revealed the presence of maximum concentration of heavy metals in the canal followed by sewerage and tube well water. Similarly, the vegetables and respective soils irrigated with canal water were found to have higher heavy metal contamination followed by sewerage- and tube-well-watered samples. However, the heavy metal content of vegetables under study was below the limits as set by FAO/WHO, except for lead in canal-water-irrigated spinach (0.59 mg kg^?1), radish pods (0.44 mg kg^?1) and bitter gourd (0.33 mg kg^?1). Estimated daily intakes of heavy metals by the consumption of selected vegetables were found to be well below the maximum limits. However, a complete estimation of daily intake requires the inclusion of other dietary and non-dietary exposure sources of heavy metals.     

Estimated dietary intake of nitrite and nitrate in Swedish children

This study examines the intake of nitrate and nitrite in Swedish children. Daily intake estimates were based on a nationwide food consumption survey (4-day food diary) and nitrite/nitrate content in various foodstuffs. The mean intake of nitrite from cured meat among 2259 children studied was 0.013, 0.010 and 0.007?mg?kg^?1?body?weight?day^?1 in age groups 4, 8–9 and 11–12 years, respectively. Among these age groups, three individuals (0.1% of the studied children) exceeded the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 0.07?mg?nitrite?kg^?1 body weight?day^?1. The mean intake of nitrate from vegetables, fruit, cured meat and water was 0.84, 0.68 and 0.45?mg?kg^?1 body weight?day^?1 for children aged 4, 8–9 and 11–12 years, respectively. No individual exceeded the ADI of 3.7?mg?nitrate?kg^?1 body weight?day^?1. However, when the total nitrite intake was estimated, including an estimated 5% endogenous conversion of nitrate to nitrite, approximately 12% of the 4-year-old children exceeded the nitrite ADI. Thus, the intake of nitrite in Swedish children may be a concern for young age groups when endogenous nitrite conversion is included in the intake estimates.     

Determination of phthalates in raw bovine milk by gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC/TOF-MS) and dietary intakes

Low levels of phthalates, including di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), in raw bovine milk were determined using gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC/TOF-MS). A fast and convenient process of sample treatment combined with TOF-MS analysis (medium resolution >5000), yielded good recoveries (85–125%) and low limits of detection (<0.002 mg kg^?1). The most commonly used phthalate, DEHP, was found in 15 out of 30 samples monitored in this study. DEHP concentrations in raw milk ranged from not detected to 0.154 mg kg^?1, and the mean concentration was 0.057 mg kg^?1. The dietary intake of DEHP was about 0.004 mg kg^?1 body weight day^?1 if a child (24 months, 13 kg body weight) drinks 1 L day^?1 of milk that contains the mean concentration of DEHP found in raw milk. The estimated dietary intake corresponded to 8% of the European Union tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 0.05 mg kg^?1 body weight day^?1. Dimethyl phthalate (DMP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) were found from two and 20 samples, respectively, at low levels. Diethyl phthalate (DEP), butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP), and di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP) were not found in any of the samples.     

Cadmium and lead contamination in vegetables collected from industrial,traffic and rural areas in Bursa Province,Turkey

Cadmium and lead contamination of vegetables produced in rural areas of Bursa Province, Turkey, was found to be less contaminated than vegetables grown close to heavy traffic and industrial activities. The highest levels of cadmium and lead were found in lettuce; the lowest levels in vegetables were found in leeks. The lead levels in spinach grown in traffic areas were at least twofold higher than those found in industrial areas. For other vegetables, the results from industrial and traffic areas were almost identical. Lettuce grown in traffic areas had the highest amount of cadmium (0.81 ± 0.25 mg kg^?1) and lead (1.59 ± 0.45 mg kg^?1), whilst leeks grown in rural areas had the lowest levels of lead (0.10 ± 0.03 mg kg^?1) and cadmium (0.05 ± 0.01 mg kg^?1) compared with other vegetables. This study shows that people and animals living in the same area in Bursa are always exposed to metallic pollution and in turn the consumption of contaminated vegetables could lead to increased dietary intake.     

Nitrite and nitrate content in meat products and estimated intake in Denmark from 1998 to 2006

The content of nitrite and nitrate in cured meat products has been monitored in Denmark seven times between 1995 and 2006. The maximum permitted added amounts of sodium nitrite in Denmark (60 mg kg^?1 for most products up to 150 mg kg^?1 for special products) have not been exceeded, except for a few samples back in 2002. The intake, mean and intake distribution of sodium nitrite have been calculated from 1998 to 2006 with data from the Danish dietary survey conducted in 2000–02 on Danes from four to 75 years of age. The amounts used by industry have been relatively stable through the whole period with levels varying between 6 and 20 mg sodium nitrite kg^?1 with sausages, meat for open sandwiches and salami-type sausages being the greatest contributors. The mean intake of sodium nitrate was around 1 mg day^?1, which is very low compared with the total intake of 61 mg day^?1. The mean intake of sodium nitrite was 0.017 and 0.014, 0.009 and 0.008, and 0.007 and 0.003 mg kg^?1 body weight day^?1 for men and women in the age groups 4–5, 6–14 and 15–75 years, respectively, which was much lower than the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 0.09 mg kg^?1 body weight day^?1. The 99th percentile for the group of 4-year-olds was 0.107 and 0.123 mg kg^?1 body weight day^?1 for boys and girls, respectively, and the 95th percentile was 0.057 and 0.073 mg kg^?1 body weight day^?1 for boys and girls, respectively, highest for the girls. With fewer than 100 boys and girls in the 4–5-year age group, only very few persons were responsible for the high intake. The conversion of nitrate to nitrite in the saliva and the degradation of nitrite during production and storage must also be considered when evaluating the intake of nitrite.     

The effect of adding cadmium and lead alone or in combination to the diet of pigs on their growth,carcase composition and reproduction

Limits for cadmium and lead concentrations in food animal products have been established independently, whereas these two toxic metals often co‐exist in polluted regions. Weaned pigs (60) were allocated to ten treatments: control; low (0.5 mg kg^?1), medium (1 mg kg^?1) or high cadmium (2.5 mg kg^?1) in feed; low (5 mg kg^?1) medium (10 mg kg^?1) or high (25 mg kg^?1) lead in feed; and low, medium and high cadmium plus lead in feed. Growth rates and concentrations of cadmium and lead in body tissues (kidney, liver, spleen, lungs, heart, testicle, ribs, hair and teeth) were measured after 137 days. There was a similar reduction in weight gain for pigs in the cadmium and lead treatments, compared with the control, and a greater reduction for the pigs in the cadmium plus lead treatments. The reduction increased with the level of metal included. There was an increase in cadmium concentration of all tissues and blood with increasing feed cadmium concentration, which was usually less when lead was also included in the feed. There was also an increase in tissue lead concentration with increasing dietary lead, and this was in most cases increased when cadmium was also included in the feed. The most sensitive tissues for cadmium and lead exposure were the kidney, liver, hair and teeth, and regression equations were developed for the accumulation rates in these tissues. Tissue and blood cadmium concentrations increased gradually with increasing dietary lead, whereas tissue lead concentration was not sensitive to dietary cadmium, except in the ribs and heart. In a second experiment, 10 sows were allocated to a control diet or the same diet but with a supplement of cadmium and lead. The birth weight of piglets was decreased by the supplement and their mortality increased. Lead accumulated most in the ovary and oviduct of the sows, and there were increases in the lead and, to a lesser extent, cadmium concentrations of tissues of the piglets from these sows. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

Heavy metals in vegetables sold in the local market in Jordan

Heavy metals (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) in various vegetables (cabbage, green onion, lettuce, parsley, rocket, spinach, carrot, onion, potato and cauliflower) from the market in Jordan were measured using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn ranged from 0.009–0.275 mg kg^?1 wet weight, 0.004–0.060 mg kg^?1, 0.003–0.401 mg kg^?1, 0.105–3.51 mg kg^?1, 0.15–1.15 mg kg^?1, 0.93–14.39 mg kg^?1, 0.044–0.702 mg kg^?1, 0.072–0.289 mg kg^?1 and 2.23–6.65 mg kg^?1, respectively. Parsley, followed by spinach, contained the highest concentration of heavy metals. Onion contained high levels of toxic heavy metals. The content of Cu in parsley and spinach and Pb in onion exceeded the Codex limits. However, the daily intake of heavy metals from the tested vegetables was lower than the maximum limits for allowable intake.     

Estimated intake of the sweeteners,acesulfame-K and aspartame,from soft drinks,soft drinks based on mineral waters and nectars for a group of Portuguese teenage students

In a survey of levels of acesulfame-K and aspartame in soft drinks and in light nectars, the intake of these intense sweeteners was estimated for a group of teenage students. Acesulfame-K was detected in 72% of the soft drinks, with a mean concentration of 72 mg l^?1 and aspartame was found in 92% of the samples with a mean concentration of 89 mg l^?1. When data on the content of these sweeteners in soft drinks were analysed according to flavour, cola drinks had the highest mean levels for both sweeteners with 98 and 103 mg l^?1 for acesulfame-K and aspartame, respectively. For soft drinks based on mineral water, aspartame was found in 62% of the samples, with a mean concentration of 82 mg l^?1 and acesulfame-K was found in 77%, with a mean level of 48 mg l^?1. All samples of nectars contained acesulfame-K, with a mean concentration of 128 mg l^?1 and aspartame was detected in 80% of the samples with a mean concentration of 73 mg l^?1. A frequency questionnaire, designed to identify adolescents having high consumption of these drinks, was completed by a randomly selected sample of teenagers (n = 65) living in the city of Coimbra, in 2007. The estimated daily intakes (EDI) of acesulfame-K and aspartame for the average consumer were below the acceptable daily intakes (ADIs). For acesulfame-K, the EDI was 0.7 mg kg^?1 bw day^?1 for soft drinks, 0.2 mg kg^?1 bw day^?1 for soft drinks based on mineral waters, and 0.5 mg kg^?1 bw day^?1 for nectars, representing 8.0%, 2.2%, and 5.8% of the ADI, respectively. A similar situation was observed for aspartame. In this way, the EDI for soft drinks was 1.1 mg kg^?1 day^?1, representing only 2.9% of the ADI. In respect of nectars, the EDI was 0.2 mg kg^?1 bw day^?1, representing 0.5% of the ADI. Soft drinks based on mineral waters showed the lowest EDI values of 0.3 mg kg^?1 bw day^?1, accounting for 0.7% of the ADI.     

Estimated intake of intense sweeteners from non-alcoholic beverages in Denmark, 2005

In 2005 International Standards Organization. ISO 17025. 2005. General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, Copenhagen: Danish Standard [Google Scholar], 76 out of 177 analysed samples of non-alcoholic beverages were found to contain the intense sweeteners cyclamate, acesulfame-K, aspartame, and saccharin. The content of cyclamate did not exceed the now permitted maximum level in the European Union of 250 mg l^?1 in soft drinks. The estimated intake of the sweeteners was calculated using the Danish Dietary Survey based on 3098 persons aged 1–80 years. The estimated intake with 90th percentiles of 0.7, 0.8 and 0.2 mg kg^?1 body weight day^?1 for acesulfame-K, aspartame, and saccharin, respectively, was much lower than the acceptable daily intake values of 15, 40, 7, and 2.5 mg kg^?1 body weight day^?1 for acesulfame-K, aspartame, and saccharin, respectively, and on the same level as in the similar investigation from 1999. In contrast to the 1999 investigation, the 90th percentile of the estimated cyclamate intake in 1–3 year olds with 3.7 mg kg^?1 body weight day^?1 was in 2005 lower than the acceptable daily intake of 7 mg kg^?1 body weight day^?1. However, the 99th percentile for 1–3 year olds with 7.4 mg kg^?1 body weight day^?1 still exceeded the acceptable daily intake slightly. The 90th percentile for the whole population with 0.9 mg kg^?1 body weight day^?1 was halved compared with 1999. The reduction in the European Union of the maximum permitted level for cyclamate from 400 to 250 mg l^?1 has brought the intake of cyclamate in small children down to well below the acceptable daily intake value.     

Elements in rice from the Swedish market: 1. Cadmium,lead and arsenic (total and inorganic)

A survey of the levels of cadmium, lead and arsenic in different types of rice available on the Swedish retail market was carried out in 2001–03. The types of rice included long and short grain, brown, white, and parboiled white rice. The mean levels found were as follows: total As: 0.20 mg kg^?1, inorganic As: 0.11 mg kg^?1; Cd: 0.024 mg kg^?1; and Pb: 0.004 mg kg^?1. ICP-MS was used for the determination of As (total and inorganic) after acid digestion. Lead and cadmium were determined using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) after dry ashing. In countries where rice is a staple food, it may represent a significant contribution in relation to the provisional tolerable weekly intake for Cd and inorganic As.     

Dietary exposure of Hong Kong adults to nitrate and nitrite from vegetable intake

The aim of this study was to assess the dietary exposure of adults in Hong Kong to nitrate and nitrite from vegetables. If all vegetables consumed were raw, the dietary exposure to nitrate for average consumers was estimated to be 4.4?mg?kg^?1 body weight (bw)?day^?1 and, for high consumers, was estimated to be 13?mg?kg^?1?bw?day^?1, which is about 120 and 350% of acceptable daily intake (ADI), respectively. If all vegetables consumed were cooked, the dietary exposure to nitrate from vegetables for the average adult consumer was estimated to be 3.5?mg?kg^?1?bw?day^?1 and, for high consumer, was estimated to be 10?mg?kg^?1?bw?day^?1, which is about 95 and 270% of ADI, respectively. On the other hand, the dietary exposure to nitrite from vegetables for average and high consumers were well below the ADI.     

Soil and vegetable compositional relationships of eight potentially toxic metals in urban garden fields from northern Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Human exposure to heavy metals is attributed to consumption of vegetables raised in polluted soil environment. We examined the concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in soils and lettuce (Latuca sativa) and amaranthus (Amaranthus caudatus) in 15 garden fields under long‐term wastewater irrigation. RESULTS: The concentrations of As (0.3–2.1 mg kg^?1), Cd (0.07–0.3 mg kg^?1), Co (4.6–9.1 mg kg^?1) and Cr (21.6–36.2 mg kg^?1) in the gardens were consistent with background concentrations in soils, but Ni (12.6–25.7 mg kg^?1), Cu (12.5–24.6 mg kg^?1), Pb (25.7–71.6 mg kg^?1) and Zn (52.3–158 mg kg^?1) concentrations were double the concentrations normally encountered in arable fields in the region. The concentrations of Cd and As in the vegetables were within safe limits, but Co (0.14–0.67 mg kg^?1 fresh weight (fw)) and Ni (1.0–2.7 mg kg^?1 fw) concentrations in lettuce were relatively high for leaf vegetables. The concentration of Pb (0.65–4.80 mg kg^?1 fw) was above safe limit of 0.3 mg kg^?1 fw, while the concentrations of Cu (1.3–2.7 mg kg^?1 fw and Zn (10.2–23.6 mg kg^?1 fw) were close to the unsafe limits for leaf vegetables. There were no strong linear correlations between soil metal concentrations and bio‐concentrations in the vegetable crops. CONCLUSION: We surmise that leaf vegetables can accumulate metals in their tissues to unsafe levels even when total metal concentrations in these soils are below the allowable concentrations in agricultural soils. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Dietary intake assessment of caramel colours and their processing by-products 4-methylimidazole and 2-acetyl-4-tetrahydroxy-butylimidazole for the Chinese population

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to assess the dietary intake of caramel colours and their by-products 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI) and 2-acetyl-4-tetrahydroxybutylimidazole (THI) for the Chinese population. Based on the typical and maximum reported use levels of caramel colours in 15 food categories, the dietary intakes of combined and single-class caramel colours of Classes I, III and IV were estimated with the food consumption data from the China National Nutrient and Health Survey. Using the mean values of 4-MEI and THI contents in Class III and Class IV Caramel colour samples, the exposures to 4-MEI and THI from dietary caramel colours were derived. The results showed that the combined and individual average dietary caramel colour intakes for the Chinese population of different age groups were estimated to be 232–60.3 mg kg^?1 bw day^?1 for combined caramels, 5.9–29.2 mg kg^?1 bw day^?1 for Class I, 7.7–29.6 mg kg^?1 bw day^?1 for Class III, 21.2–54.3 mg kg^?1 bw day^?1 for Class IV, which were far below the group acceptable daily intake (ADI) and respective ADIs. The combined intake of 4-MEI from Class III and IV caramel colours was estimated to be 3.8–5.2 μg kg^?1 bw day^?1 on average, and 12.9–27.1 μg kg^?1 bw day^?1 at 95th-97.5th percentile for the general population. The anticipated exposure to THI from Class III caramel colours was estimated to be 0.1–0.3 μg kg^?1 bw day^?1 on average and 0.5–1.7 μg kg^?1 bw day^?1 at 95th–97.5th percentile for the general population. The dietary caramel colours intakes and the exposures to 4-MEI and THI from dietary caramel colour for the Chinese population were considered to be of low health concern based on the present toxicological data. Soy sauce, vinegar and compound seasonings were found to be the main contributors to the dietary intake of caramel colours.     

Application of a New Functionalized Nanoporous Silica for Simultaneous Trace Separation and Determination of Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), and Pb(II) in Food and Agricultural Products

A novel sorbent for simultaneous separation of cadmium, copper, nickel, and lead was prepared by functionalizing SBA-15 nanoporous silica with dithizone. A solid-phase extraction method using the above sorbent was developed to separate and preconcentrate trace amounts of cadmium, copper, nickel, and lead ions from food and agricultural products by flame atomic absorption spectrometry measurements. The optimum experimental conditions such as pH; flow rates; type, concentration, and volume of the eluent; breakthrough volume; and effect of coexisting ions on the separation and determination of these heavy metals were evaluated. The extraction efficiencies for the mentioned heavy metals were greater than 97 %, and the limits of detection were 0.09, 0.16, 0.21, and 0.45 μg?L^?1 for cadmium, copper, nickel, and lead, respectively. The preconcentration factor for simultaneous analysis of the four heavy metals was found to be 100 approximately. The relative standard deviations of the method were <5 % for 10 separate column experiments for the determination of 5.0 μg of cadmium, copper, nickel, and lead ions. The adsorption capacity of the dithizone-SBA-15 was 189 mg?g^?1 for cadmium, 102 mg?g^?1 for copper, 91 mg?g^?1 for nickel, and 208 mg?g^?1 for lead.     

Estimate of intake of benzoic acid in the Belgian adult population

An exposure assessment was performed to estimate average daily benzoic acid intake for Belgian adults. Food consumption data were retrieved from the national food-consumption survey. As a first step, individual food-consumption data were multiplied with the maximum permitted use levels for benzoic acid per food group (Tier 2). As a second step, a label survey to identify the foods where benzoic acid is effectively used as an additive and a literature review of the possible occurrence of benzoic acid as a natural substance were performed. With this information, a refined list of foods was drafted for the quantification of benzoic acid, which was performed by a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method, optimized and validated for this purpose. Individual food-consumption data were then multiplied with the actual average concentrations of benzoic acid per food group (Tier 3). Usual intakes were calculated using the Nusser method. The mean benzoic acid intake was 1.58 mg kg^?1 body weight day^?1 (Tier 2) and 1.25 mg kg^?1 body weight day^?1 (Tier 3). In Tier 2, men exceeded the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 5 mg kg^?1 body weight day^?1 at the 99th percentile. The greatest contributors to the benzoic acid intake were soft drinks. Benzoic acid as a natural substance represents only a small percentage of the total intake. The results show that actual benzoic acid intake is very likely to be below the ADI. However, there is a need to collect national food-consumption data for children as they might be more vulnerable to an excessive intake.