Estimation of BHA, BHT, propylene glycol, and sodium saccharin concentrations in foods and their daily intake based on official inspection results in Japan in fiscal year 1996.

The mean concentrations and daily intakes of BHA, BHT, propylene glycol, and sodium saccharin were estimated based on an analysis of 28, 428 samples of food (2, 856 samples for BHA, 2, 835 for BHT, 2, 832 for propylene glycol, and 19, 905 for sodium saccharin) obtained in official inspections by Japanese local governments in fiscal year 1996. The mean concentration of BHA was 3.9% of the allowable limit, and those of BHT, propylene glycol, and sodium saccharin were 0.7%, 16.8%, and 5.7%, respectively. Daily intakes of these food additives per person, estimated from the concentrations and daily consumption of the foods, were 0.105, 0.220, 41.4, and 7.64mg, respectively. These amounts of BHA, BHT, propylene glycol, and sodium saccharin were 0.4%, 1.5%, 3.3%, and 3.1% of the acceptable daily intakes (ADIs), respectively, when body weight was taken to be 50kg. These results were similar to those based on the results of the official inspection in fiscal year 1994.