Toxicity Vs. Detection: New European Food Safety Regulation Based On Threshold Of Toxicity

摘要

The 2001 detection of chloramphenicol in shrimp imported into the Netherlands from Asian countries heightened awareness of and anxiety over the presence of chemicals in food. Applying the precautionary approach, Europe closed its borders to seafood from Asia based on the detectability of the compound, not its effects. A recent European Food Safety Authority proposal moves away from the precautionary approach through the use of a "threshold of toxicological concern" for chemicals with low expected exposure