Total Diet Studies as a Tool for Ensuring Food Safety

• Published in: Toxicological research (Seoul) Vol. 31; no. 3; pp. 221 - 226
• Main Authors: Lee, Joon-Goo, Kim, Sheen-Hee, Kim, Hae-Jung, Yoon, Hae-Jung
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore 한국독성학회 01.09.2015; Springer Singapore; The Korean Society Of Toxicology
• Subjects: Biomedicine; Pharmacology/Toxicology; Review; Review Article; 예방의학; Risk analysis; Risk assessment; Total diet study; Dietary exposure
• ISSN: 1976-8257; 2234-2753
• DOI: 10.5487/TR.2015.31.3.221

With the diversification and internationalization of the food industry and the increased focus on health from a majority of consumers, food safety policies are being implemented based on scientific evidence. Risk analysis represents the most useful scientific approach for making food safety decisions. Total diet study (TDS) is often used as a risk assessment tool to evaluate exposure to hazardous elements. Many countries perform TDSs to screen for chemicals in foods and analyze exposure trends to hazardous elements. TDSs differ from traditional food monitoring in two major aspects: chemicals are analyzed in food in the form in which it will be consumed and it is cost-effective in analyzing composite samples after processing multiple ingredients together. In Korea, TDSs have been conducted to estimate dietary intakes of heavy metals, pesticides, mycotoxins, persistent organic pollutants, and processing contaminants. TDSs need to be carried out periodically to ensure food safety.