threshold of toxicological concern
A screening tool that provides conservative exposure limits in the absence of sufficient chemical-specific toxicological data. It is a science-based approach for prioritising chemicals with low-level exposures that require more data over those that can be presumed to present no appreciable human health risk
In food safety, the Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC) is a level of exposure to a chemical below which it is considered extremely unlikely to pose a health risk, even if detailed toxicity data is not available. It provides a way to prioritize chemicals for further assessment when full studies are lacking.
EFSA uses the TTC to screen chemicals in food and feed, estimate safe exposure levels, and decide whether more detailed risk assessment is needed. This approach helps focus resources on substances that could pose real risks, while ensuring consumer safety for chemicals that occur at very low, negligible levels.