Maximum cadmium limits establishment strategy based on the dietary exposure estimation: an example from Chinese populations and subgroups

Abstract

Dietary exposure to cadmium (Cd) in the Chinese population is currently a public health concern. China's national standard for maximum limits (MLs) of Cd in foods needs to be assessed. The objective of this research is to estimate the impacts of different Cd MLs intakes from selected foods and food groups and to provide scientific evidence for ML establishment. Food consumption data were taken from the Chinese National Diet and Nutrition Survey. Cd contamination data were obtained from the National Food Contamination Monitoring Program. A beta binomial normal (BBN) model was applied in the probabilistic assessment. Different possible ML scenarios for rice were selected to assess the impact of different MLs on Cd concentration and intake. More than 70% of children aged 2–6 years and over 30% of the general population have a dietary daily Cd intake above provisional tolerable daily intake (PTMId). Cd intake changed greatly relative to baseline when different possible MLs were used, but the changes were not as large when compared among the different possible MLs. Cd exposure in China, especially for children, is a public health concern. It is recommended that the ML for rice be held at 0.2 mg/kg.