exposure assessment
One of the key steps in risk assessment, this relates to a thorough evaluation of who, or what, has been exposed to a hazard and a quantification of the amounts involved
In food safety, an exposure assessment is the process of estimating how much of a substance, contaminant, or microorganism people are likely to consume through their diet. It looks at both the amount of the substance present in different foods and the quantities of those foods that people eat.
EFSA uses exposure assessments to understand the potential risks to human health. By knowing how much of a hazard people are exposed to, EFSA can determine whether the levels are safe or whether actions are needed to reduce exposure, such as setting limits on contaminants or issuing dietary advice. This is a key part of EFSA’s work in protecting public health.