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The FEMA GRAS assessment of furfural used as a flavour ingredient. Flavor and Extract Manufacturers' Association.

Abstract
The Expert Panel of the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers' Association (FEMA) has assessed the safety of furfural for its continued use as a flavour ingredient. The safety assessment takes into account the current scientific information on exposure, metabolism, pharmacokinetics, toxicology, carcinogenicity and genotoxicity. Furfural was reaffirmed as GRAS (GRASr) as a flavour ingredient under conditions of intended use based on: (1) its mode of metabolic detoxication in humans; (2) its low level of flavour use compared with higher intake levels as a naturally occurring component of food; (3) the safety factor calculated from results of subchronic and chronic studies, (4) the lack of reactivity with DNA; and (5) the conclusion that the only statistically significant finding in the 2-year NTP bioassays, an increased incidence of hepatocellular adenomas and carcinomas in the high-dose group of male mice, was secondary to pronounced hepatotoxicity. Taken together, these data do not indicate any risk to human health under conditions of use as a flavour ingredient. This evidence of safety is supported by the occurrence of furfural as a natural component of traditional foods, at concentrations in the diet resulting in a 'natural intake' that is at least 100 times higher than the intake of furfural from use as a flavour ingredient.
AuthorsT B Adams, J Doull, J I Goodman, I C Munro, P Newberne, P S Portoghese, R L Smith, B M Wagner, C S Weil, L A Woods, R A Ford
JournalFood and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association (Food Chem Toxicol) Vol. 35 Issue 8 Pg. 739-51 (Aug 1997) ISSN: 0278-6915 [Print] England
PMID9350219 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
Chemical References
  • Flavoring Agents
  • Food Additives
  • Furaldehyde
Topics
  • Adenoma, Liver Cell (chemically induced, pathology)
  • Animals
  • Carcinogenicity Tests
  • Carcinoma, Hepatocellular (chemically induced, pathology)
  • Drug Evaluation
  • Female
  • Flavoring Agents (chemistry, pharmacokinetics, toxicity)
  • Food Additives (standards)
  • Furaldehyde (chemistry, pharmacokinetics, toxicity)
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms (chemically induced, pathology)
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mutagenicity Tests
  • Rats
  • Safety

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