metabolite

In food safety, a metabolite is a substance that is formed when the body breaks down (metabolizes) a chemical, nutrient, or contaminant from food. Some metabolites are harmless, while others can be more or less toxic than the original substance.

EFSA uses information about metabolites to understand the full impact of a substance on human health. By studying how a chemical is transformed in the body, EFSA can identify potentially harmful by-products, assess overall exposure, and make more accurate risk assessments. This helps set safe intake levels and guide regulations to protect consumers.