. 2023 Jan 31;21(1):e07798. doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2023.7798

Table 23.

Summary of the dietary exposure/intake estimates in the general scenario (via consumption of halophytes, seaweeds and seaweed‐related products), and the replacement scenario for total arsenic, inorganic arsenic, total mercury, cadmium, lead and iodine; information is also provided on EFSA previous dietary exposure/intake assessments considering the whole diet

	General dietary exposure/intake scenario	Dietary exposure/intake replacement scenario	EFSA previous dietary exposure/intake assessment
Cadmium	Highest mean exposure (LB=UB): 0.042 μg/kg bw per week in ‘Adults’. Highest 95th percentile exposure dietary: 0.009 μg/kg bw per week (LB=UB).	Highest mean exposure (LB=UB): 3.1 μg/kg bw per week in ‘Adults’. Maximum highest reliable percentile (90th percentile): 4.4 μg/kg bw per week in ‘Adults’ (LB=UB). Main contributor: red Alga Laver.	Highest mean dietary exposure: 1.59 μg/kg bw per week (LB=UB) for ‘Toddlers’. Highest 95th percentile exposure dietary: 7.82 μg/kg bw per week (LB=UB) for ‘Toddlers’. Main contributors: seaweed pasta and seaweed snacks.	Mean exposure: 1.15–7.84 μg/kg bw per week (minimum LB−maximum UB). 95th percentile exposure: 2.01–12.1 μg/kg bw per week (minimum LB−maximum UB). (EFSA, 2012)
Total arsenic	Highest mean exposure (LB=UB): 0.0793 μg/kg bw per day in ‘Adults’. Highest 95th percentile exposure dietary: 0.0381 μg/kg bw per day (LB=UB).	Highest mean exposure (LB=UB): 5.52 μg/kg bw per day in ‘Adults’ Maximum highest reliable percentile (90th percentile): 7.87 μg/kg bw per day in ‘Adults’ (LB=UB) Main contributor: unspecified ‘Algae and prokaryotes organisms’	Highest mean dietary exposure: 5.1–5.2 μg/kg bw per day (LB=UB) for Toddlers' Highest 95th percentile exposure dietary: 19.8 μg/kg bw per day (LB=UB) for ‘Toddlers Main contributors: seaweed pasta and seaweed snacks	Mean exposure: 0.45–4.6 μg/kg bw per day (minimum LB−maximum UB) 95th percentile exposure: 1.75–11.2 μg/kg bw per day (minimum LB−maximum UB). (EFSA CONTAM Panel, 2009a)
Inorganic arsenic	Highest mean exposure (LB–UB): 0.0039–0.0040 μg/kg bw per day in ‘Adults’. Highest 95th percentile exposure dietary: 0–0.00031 μg/kg bw per day (LB–UB).	Highest mean exposure (LB–UB): 0.21–0.22 μg/kg bw per day in ‘Adults’. ^(b) Maximum highest reliable percentile (90th percentile): 0.032–0.067 μg/kg bw per day in ‘Adults’ (LB–UB). Main contributor: unspecified ‘Algae and prokaryotes organisms’.	Highest mean dietary exposure: 0.090–0.11 μg/kg bw per day (LB–UB) for ‘Toddlers’. Highest 95th percentile exposure dietary: 0.15–0.23 μg/kg bw per day (LB–UB) for ‘Toddlers’. Main contributors: seaweed pasta.	Mean exposure (infants to adolescents): 0.04–0.61 μg/kg bw per day (minimum LB−maximum UB). Mean exposure (adults to very elderly): 0.03–0.15 μg/kg bw per day (minimum LB−maximum UB). 95th percentile exposure (infants to adolescents): 0.10–1.2 μg/kg bw per day (minimum LB−maximum UB). 95th percentile exposure (adults to very elderly): 0.06–0.33 μg/kg bw per day (minimum LB−maximum UB). (EFSA, 2021)
Lead	Highest mean exposure (LB–UB): 0.0013–0.0015 μg/kg bw per day in ‘Pregnant women’. Highest 95th percentile exposure dietary: 0.00034–0.00035 μg/kg bw per day (LB–UB).	Highest mean exposure (LB–UB): 0.093–0.10 μg/kg bw per day in ‘Adults’. Maximum highest reliable percentile (90th percentile): 0.072–0.073 μg/kg bw per day in ‘Adults’ (LB–UB). Main contributor: unspecified ‘Algae and prokaryotes organisms’.	Highest mean dietary exposure: 0.15–0.16 μg/kg bw per day (LB–UB) for ‘Toddlers’. Highest 95th percentile exposure dietary: 0.81–0.82 μg/kg bw per day (LB–UB) for ‘Toddlers’. Main contributors: seaweed pasta and seaweed snacks.	Children aged 1 to 7 years (minimum LB−maximum UB): Mean dietary exposure: 0.80–3.10 μg/kg bw per day; 95th percentile exposure: 1.30–5.51 μg/kg bw per day. Adults (minimum LB−maximum UB): Mean dietary exposure: 0.36–1.24 μg/kg bw per day; 95th percentile exposure: 0.73–2.43 μg/kg bw per day. (EFSA CONTAM Panel, 2010)
Total mercury	Highest mean exposure (LB–UB): 0.00018–0.0031 μg/kg bw per week in ‘Toddlers’. Highest 95th percentile exposure dietary: 0.00015–0.00020 μg/kg bw per week (LB–UB).	Highest mean exposure (LB–UB): 0.017–0.12 μg/kg bw per week in ‘Adults’. Maximum highest reliable percentile (90th percentile): 0.0050–0.054 μg/kg bw per week in ‘Adults’ (LB–UB). Main contributor: Unspecified ‘Algae and prokaryotes organisms.’	Highest mean dietary exposure: 0.028–0.081 μg/kg bw per week (LB–UB) for ‘Toddlers.’ Highest 95th percentile exposure dietary: 0.11–0.18 μg/kg bw per week (LB–UB) for ‘Toddlers’. Main contributors: seaweed pasta and seaweed snacks.	Mean exposure to inorganic mercury: 0.13 and 2.16 μg/kg bw per week (minimum LB−maximum UB); (0.14–0.70 μg/kg bw per week in ‘Adults’). 95th percentile exposure to inorganic mercury: 0.25 and 4.06 μg/kg bw per week (minimum LB−maximum UB); (0.36–1.83 μg/kg bw per week in ‘Adults’). Mean exposure to methylmercury: 0.06 and 1.57 μg/kg bw per week (minimum LB−maximum MB); (0.07–1.08 μg/kg bw per week in ‘Adults’). 95th percentile exposure to methylmercury: 0.14 and 5.05 μg/kg bw per week (minimum LB−maximum MB); (0.51–3.04 μg/kg bw per week in ‘Adults’). (EFSA CONTAM Panel, 2012)
Iodine	Highest mean intake (LB=UB): 5.1 μg/kg bw per day in ‘Adults.’ ^(a) Highest 95th percentile intake dietary: 0.15 μg/kg bw per day (LB=UB).	Highest mean intake (LB=UB): 155 μg/kg bw per day μg/kg bw per day in ‘Adults’. Maximum highest reliable percentile (90th percentile): 32.7 μg/kg bw per day in ‘Adults’ (LB=UB). Main contributor: unspecified ‘Algae and prokaryotes organisms’.	Highest mean dietary intake: 136 μg/kg bw per day (LB=UB) for ‘Toddlers’. Highest 95th percentile intake dietary: 464–465 μg/kg bw per day (LB–UB) for ‘Toddlers’. Main contributors: seaweed pasta and seaweed snacks.	Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for iodine (EFSA NDA Panel, 2014) ^(c)

General dietary exposure/intake scenario

Dietary exposure/intake replacement scenario

EFSA previous dietary exposure/intake assessment

Whole population

Consumers only

Cadmium

Highest mean exposure (LB=UB): 0.042 μg/kg bw per week in ‘Adults’.

Highest 95th percentile exposure dietary: 0.009 μg/kg bw per week (LB=UB).

Highest mean exposure (LB=UB): 3.1 μg/kg bw per week in ‘Adults’.

Maximum highest reliable percentile (90th percentile): 4.4 μg/kg bw per week in ‘Adults’ (LB=UB).

Main contributor: red Alga Laver.

Highest mean dietary exposure: 1.59 μg/kg bw per week (LB=UB) for ‘Toddlers’.

Highest 95th percentile exposure dietary: 7.82 μg/kg bw per week (LB=UB) for ‘Toddlers’.

Main contributors: seaweed pasta and seaweed snacks.

Mean exposure: 1.15–7.84 μg/kg bw per week (minimum LB−maximum UB).

95th percentile exposure: 2.01–12.1 μg/kg bw per week (minimum LB−maximum UB).

(EFSA, 2012)

Total arsenic

Highest mean exposure (LB=UB): 0.0793 μg/kg bw per day in ‘Adults’.

Highest 95th percentile exposure dietary: 0.0381 μg/kg bw per day (LB=UB).

Highest mean exposure (LB=UB): 5.52 μg/kg bw per day in ‘Adults’

Maximum highest reliable percentile (90th percentile): 7.87 μg/kg bw per day in ‘Adults’ (LB=UB)

Main contributor: unspecified ‘Algae and prokaryotes organisms’

Highest mean dietary exposure: 5.1–5.2 μg/kg bw per day (LB=UB) for Toddlers'

Highest 95th percentile exposure dietary: 19.8 μg/kg bw per day (LB=UB) for ‘Toddlers

Main contributors: seaweed pasta and seaweed snacks

Mean exposure: 0.45–4.6 μg/kg bw per day (minimum LB−maximum UB)

95th percentile exposure: 1.75–11.2 μg/kg bw per day (minimum LB−maximum UB).

(EFSA CONTAM Panel, 2009a)

Inorganic arsenic

Highest mean exposure (LB–UB): 0.0039–0.0040 μg/kg bw per day in ‘Adults’.

Highest 95th percentile exposure dietary: 0–0.00031 μg/kg bw per day (LB–UB).

Highest mean exposure (LB–UB): 0.21–0.22 μg/kg bw per day in ‘Adults’. ^(b)

Maximum highest reliable percentile (90th percentile): 0.032–0.067 μg/kg bw per day in ‘Adults’ (LB–UB).

Main contributor: unspecified ‘Algae and prokaryotes organisms’.

Highest mean dietary exposure: 0.090–0.11 μg/kg bw per day (LB–UB) for ‘Toddlers’.

Highest 95th percentile exposure dietary: 0.15–0.23 μg/kg bw per day (LB–UB) for ‘Toddlers’.

Main contributors: seaweed pasta.

Mean exposure (infants to adolescents): 0.04–0.61 μg/kg bw per day (minimum LB−maximum UB).

Mean exposure (adults to very elderly): 0.03–0.15 μg/kg bw per day (minimum LB−maximum UB).

95th percentile exposure (infants to adolescents): 0.10–1.2 μg/kg bw per day (minimum LB−maximum UB).

95th percentile exposure (adults to very elderly): 0.06–0.33 μg/kg bw per day (minimum LB−maximum UB).

(EFSA, 2021)

Lead

Highest mean exposure (LB–UB): 0.0013–0.0015 μg/kg bw per day in ‘Pregnant women’.

Highest 95th percentile exposure dietary: 0.00034–0.00035 μg/kg bw per day (LB–UB).

Highest mean exposure (LB–UB): 0.093–0.10 μg/kg bw per day in ‘Adults’.

Maximum highest reliable percentile (90th percentile): 0.072–0.073 μg/kg bw per day in ‘Adults’ (LB–UB).

Main contributor: unspecified ‘Algae and prokaryotes organisms’.

Highest mean dietary exposure: 0.15–0.16 μg/kg bw per day (LB–UB) for ‘Toddlers’.

Highest 95th percentile exposure dietary: 0.81–0.82 μg/kg bw per day (LB–UB) for ‘Toddlers’.

Main contributors: seaweed pasta and seaweed snacks.

Children aged 1 to 7 years (minimum LB−maximum UB):

Mean dietary exposure: 0.80–3.10 μg/kg bw per day; 95th percentile exposure: 1.30–5.51 μg/kg bw per day.

Adults (minimum LB−maximum UB):

Mean dietary exposure: 0.36–1.24 μg/kg bw per day; 95th percentile exposure: 0.73–2.43 μg/kg bw per day.

(EFSA CONTAM Panel, 2010)

Total mercury

Highest mean exposure (LB–UB): 0.00018–0.0031 μg/kg bw per week in ‘Toddlers’.

Highest 95th percentile exposure dietary: 0.00015–0.00020 μg/kg bw per week (LB–UB).

Highest mean exposure (LB–UB): 0.017–0.12 μg/kg bw per week in ‘Adults’.

Maximum highest reliable percentile (90th percentile): 0.0050–0.054 μg/kg bw per week in ‘Adults’ (LB–UB).

Main contributor: Unspecified ‘Algae and prokaryotes organisms.’

Highest mean dietary exposure: 0.028–0.081 μg/kg bw per week (LB–UB) for ‘Toddlers.’

Highest 95th percentile exposure dietary: 0.11–0.18 μg/kg bw per week (LB–UB) for ‘Toddlers’.

Main contributors: seaweed pasta and seaweed snacks.

Mean exposure to inorganic mercury: 0.13 and 2.16 μg/kg bw per week (minimum LB−maximum UB); (0.14–0.70 μg/kg bw per week in ‘Adults’).

95th percentile exposure to inorganic mercury: 0.25 and 4.06 μg/kg bw per week (minimum LB−maximum UB); (0.36–1.83 μg/kg bw per week in ‘Adults’).

Mean exposure to methylmercury: 0.06 and 1.57 μg/kg bw per week (minimum LB−maximum MB); (0.07–1.08 μg/kg bw per week in ‘Adults’).

95th percentile exposure to methylmercury: 0.14 and 5.05 μg/kg bw per week (minimum LB−maximum MB); (0.51–3.04 μg/kg bw per week in ‘Adults’).

(EFSA CONTAM Panel, 2012)

Iodine

Highest mean intake (LB=UB): 5.1 μg/kg bw per day in ‘Adults.’ ^(a)

Highest 95th percentile intake dietary: 0.15 μg/kg bw per day (LB=UB).

Highest mean intake (LB=UB): 155 μg/kg bw per day μg/kg bw per day in ‘Adults’.

Maximum highest reliable percentile (90th percentile): 32.7 μg/kg bw per day in ‘Adults’ (LB=UB).

Main contributor: unspecified ‘Algae and prokaryotes organisms’.

Highest mean dietary intake: 136 μg/kg bw per day (LB=UB) for ‘Toddlers’.

Highest 95th percentile intake dietary: 464–465 μg/kg bw per day (LB–UB) for ‘Toddlers’.

Main contributors: seaweed pasta and seaweed snacks.

Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for iodine (EFSA NDA Panel, 2014) ^(c)

^(a)

Just one dietary survey with two consumers. Mean iodine intakes in all the other dietary surveys ranged between 0.035 and 0.31 (LB–UB).

^(b)

Apart from the highest estimate from a dietary survey with five consumers, the mean exposure estimations in the adult population among ‘consumers only’ ranged between 0.002 and 0.045 μg/kg bw per day.

^(c)

Urinary Iodine (UI) excretion, a marker of iodine intake, is listed for various European countries in the EFSA Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for iodine (EFSA NDA Panel, 2014).