The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Center for Food Safety and Nutrition (CFSAN) made several documents on perchlorate available via its website this week. The documents include 2005 perchlorate data, exposure assessment, a peer review report, and a question and answer section. According to the report, milk contributed the highest percholate exposure, tomatoes ranked second, and fruit juices and spinach each contributed the third highest level of exposure. However, FDA's preliminary exposure assessment suggests that perchlorate levels found in all of the 27 foods and beverages analyzed (milk, fruits and fruit juices, vegetables, grain products, aquaculture fish and shrimp) are not likely to present a public health risk. According to the report, "FDA does not recommend at this time that consumers alter their infants' and children's diets and eating habits based on current perchlorate data." FDA's next perchlorate exposure assessment is expected to be released in the fall of 2007. For more information, please contact United Fresh Senior Vice 'President of Food Safety & Technology Dr. Jim Gorny.
United Fresh Produce Association
1901 Pennsylvania Ave. NW Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: 202 303 3400
Fax: 202 303 3433 united@unitedfresh.org
