health-based guidance value
Guidance on safe consumption of substances that takes into account current safety data, uncertainties in these data, and the likely duration of consumption
Health-based guidance values (HBGVs) are scientifically derived limits that indicate the amount of a substance in food or water that can be consumed safely over a specific period without posing a health risk. Examples include the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) for chemicals, the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) for food additives, and the Tolerable Weekly Intake (TWI) for contaminants present in the environment.
EFSA plays a central role in establishing health-based guidance values (HBGVs) by scientifically assessing data to define safe limits for substances in food. EFSA also continuously re-evaluates existing HBGVs as new scientific evidence becomes available, and provides tailored guidance for vulnerable populations, like infants for example, who have specific dietary needs. HBGVs form a key part of EFSA’s human health risk assessment framework, used alongside exposure assessments to characterize risks. These values also support EU policymakers and national authorities in shaping food laws, dietary guidelines, and overall food safety management.