Tokyo Food Safety Information Center » Tokyo Metropolitan Government food safety FAQ »Is it safe to eat foods which contain food additives for a long period of time?
Is it safe to eat foods which contain food additives for a long period of time?
Is it safe to eat foods which contain food additives for a long period of time?
- Are food additives a cause of cancer or other illnesses?
- How do I determine the safety of food additives?
Food additives are tested for safety, including the effect they might have on the body when eat for long periods of time. In turn, restrictions on the purposes for which food additives may be used, the foods with which they may be used, the amounts they may be used in, and the ways in which they may be used are determined based on these results. Only foods which are made according to these restrictions may be sold in markets. Accordingly, eating such foods for long periods of time will have no effect on your health.
Safety testing is conducted, including testing on animals and carcinogenicity testing and, based on their results, an ADI (Acceptable Daily Intake) is established. Accordingly, any substances found to be carcinogenic (cancer causing) are not approved for use as a food additive.
In addition to those additives approved after being evaluated by the Food Safety Commission, there are also food additives which have been approved for use based on the many years they have been part of peoples’ customary diets. These additives are called Existing Food Additives. Even Existing Food Additives, however, undergo continuing safety testing. For example, in 2004, data was found showing that the Existing Food Additive madder color was carcinogenic, and its use was immediately prohibited.