chemical mixture
Mixtures of substances in which each chemical may have a separate identifiable effect on the body and/or a combined effect
In food safety, a chemical mixture refers to the combined presence of two or more chemical substances in food, such as pesticide residues, contaminants, or food additives that people may consume at the same time. Even if each substance is present at a safe level on its own, their combined effects may still be relevant for health.
EFSA assesses chemical mixtures to understand the potential combined risks of multiple substances. It evaluates how chemicals with similar effects may act together and estimates overall exposure from different foods. This helps EFSA provide more realistic risk assessments and scientific advice that better reflects how people are actually exposed to chemicals through their diet.