Food-Info.net> Questions and Answers > Food ingredients > Additives (general)

Is it acceptable for an individual to exceed the ADI on any given day?

The consumption of an additive above its ADI on a given day is not a cause for concern because the ADI has a large built-in safety factor and in practice, consumption above the ADI on one day is more than accounted for by consumption below the ADI on most other days. However, if an intake figure indicates that the ADI may be regularly exceeded by certain sectors of the population, it may be necessary for the SCF to advise a reduction of levels in foods consistent with the amount needed to achieve its function, or to reduce the range of foods in which the additive is permitted for use. Because of the large safety margins used in setting the ADI, it is likely that an ADI for a given additive would have to be exceeded by some considerable amount for there to be any risk of harm to human health.