Assessment of exposure to aluminium in the Norwegian population

The Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) has requested the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food Safety (VKM) to assess the Norwegian population’s total exposure to aluminium from both food and cosmetic products. According to EFSA, food is the main source to aluminium-exposure in the general population. EFSA has concluded that constitutive parts of the European population are exposed to more aluminium through food than recommended. Aluminium appears naturally in food like fruits, vegetables, corn and meat as well as in drinking water. Food additives containing aluminium and intake by migration from food contact materials are other sources of exposure to aluminium. In addition, cosmetic products may contain aluminium. Since cosmetics are not one of EFSA’s responsibility areas, use of cosmetic products as source for aluminium-exposure are not included in their risk assessment. VKM is asked to assess the aluminium exposure from both food and the use of cosmetic products and to identify sub-populations that may be especially at risk. Mattilsynet has submitted data on the aluminium content in different food and cosmetic products on the Norwegian market. VKM is requested to take these data as well as data presented in previous risk assessments from EFSA and JECFA into consideration when performing the risk assessment.NO; no; vkm@vkm.n