acceptable daily intake
An estimate of the amount of a substance in food or drinking water that can be consumed daily over a lifetime without presenting an appreciable risk to health. It is usually expressed as milligrams of the substance per kilogram of body weight per day and applies to chemical substances such as food additives, pesticide residues and veterinary drugs
EFSA uses the acceptable daily intake (ADI) as a key tool in risk assessment to ensure that substances in food do not pose health risks over the long term. To do this, EFSA first estimates how much of a substance people are likely to consume from all relevant food sources, taking into account different dietary habits and consumption patterns across populations. This estimated exposure is then compared with the ADI. If exposure is below the ADI, it is considered unlikely to pose a health risk; if it exceeds the ADI, EFSA may recommend measures to reduce intake, such as lowering maximum residue limits, changing food processing practices, or providing guidance to consumers. By applying the ADI in this way, EFSA provides science-based advice that helps regulators and policymakers maintain the safety of the food supply and protect public health over a lifetime.