toxicological reference value
A value defining the level of a particular substance to which people can safely be exposed over a specified period; for example, the acceptable daily intake (ADI)
A toxicological reference value is a science-based number that indicates the amount of a substance that people can be exposed to without an appreciable risk to health. It is usually expressed as an intake per kilogram of body weight per day or per week and is derived from toxicological studies.
EFSA uses toxicological reference values as key tools in food safety risk assessment. Based on the toxicological profile of a substance, EFSA derives values such as the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI), Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI), or Acute Reference Dose (ARfD). These values are then compared with estimated dietary exposure to assess whether consumers, including vulnerable groups, are adequately protected. They also support EU risk managers in setting legal limits, such as maximum residue levels or maximum permitted levels in food.