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.
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Authors | T 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 |
Journal | Food 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 |
PMID | 9350219
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
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Chemical References |
- Flavoring Agents
- Food Additives
- Furaldehyde
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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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