Risk assessment, safety evaluation of food chemicals

Abstract: Significant advances in toxicity testing are reviewed. Information relevant to risk assessment includes identification and characterization, extent of use, biological effects, and toxicological studies. Problems of risk research using scientific data from animal studies are discussed. These are specifically, selection of species, sensitivity to toxic effects, metabolism, and function. Methods of predicting risk include uncertainty factor, extrapolation from dose-response data, and observations on animals or man. Federal regulations (the Food Additives Amendment, GRAS list) and surveys by the committees of the Food and Nutrition Board are discussed. References and definition of terms are listed in appendices. (rkm).