title: Prevalence of food additive intolerance.
abstract: 1. The existing prevalence estimates of food additive intolerance are being reviewed. 2. In the EEC report the estimated frequency of food additive intolerance is 0.03% to 0.15% based on data from patient groups. 3. The British population study results in a prevalence estimate of 0.026%. The challenged population is 81 children and adults with a history of reproducible clinical symptoms after ingestion of food additives. 4. In the Danish population study a prevalence of 1-2% is found in children age 5-16. In this study a total of 606 children mainly with atopic disease have been challenged. 5. The prevalence estimates vary with a factor 100. As the results vary so do the study populations. 6. If the different study populations are accounted for, a common conclusion can be drawn: Food additive intolerance is found in adults with atopic symptoms from the respiratory tract and skin. The prevalence estimates are questionable but may be less than 0.15%. In adults and children with reproducible, and with more subjective symptoms, such as headache and behavioural/mood change the prevalence is even lower (0.026%). Food additive intolerance is primarily found in atopic children with cutaneous symptoms where the additive is aggravating an existing disease. The prevalence of food additive intolerance in children age 5-16 is 1-2%.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Toxicology, National Food Agency, Søborg, Denmark.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Madsen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D005503:Food Additives / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D005503:Food Additives