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Caramel colour and process contaminants in foods and beverages: Part II - Occurrence data and exposure assessment of 2-acetyl-4-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydroxybutyl)imidazole (THI) and 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI) in Belgium. 2018

T Fierens, and M Van Holderbeke, and C Cornelis, and G Jacobs, and I Sioen, and M De Maeyer, and C Vinkx, and G Vanermen
Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Unit of Environmental Risk and Health, Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium. Electronic address: tine.fierens@vito.be.

In Europe, 2-acetyl-4-(1,2,3,4-tetrahydroxybutyl)imidazole (THI) and 4-methylimidazole (4-MEI) are - to a certain level - allowed to be present in the food colours ammonia caramel (E 150c) and sulphite ammonia caramel (E 150d). Besides their presence in food colours, exposure to these contaminants may also include other dietary sources. This study describes the occurrence of THI and 4-MEI in a wide variety of food products (n = 522) purchased from the Belgian market and their dietary intake in Belgian consumers from 15 years old onwards. THI was found to be present in 22.4% of the investigated foods at a level up to 551 µg/kg. For 4-MEI (57.7% quantifiable), concentrations up to 2,835 µg/kg were observed. The average dietary intake amounted to 0.02-0.36 µg kg-1 bw-1 day for THI and 0.4-3.7 µg kg-1 bw-1 day for 4-MEI. Coffee, cola and beer were contributing most to the dietary THI and 4-MEI intake in Belgium.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007093 Imidazoles Compounds containing 1,3-diazole, a five membered aromatic ring containing two nitrogen atoms separated by one of the carbons. Chemically reduced ones include IMIDAZOLINES and IMIDAZOLIDINES. Distinguish from 1,2-diazole (PYRAZOLES).
D002241 Carbohydrates A class of organic compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen in a ratio of Cn(H2O)n. The largest class of organic compounds, including STARCH; GLYCOGEN; CELLULOSE; POLYSACCHARIDES; and simple MONOSACCHARIDES. Carbohydrate
D003069 Coffee A beverage made from ground COFFEA beans (SEEDS) infused in hot water. It generally contains CAFFEINE and THEOPHYLLINE unless it is decaffeinated.
D004435 Eating The consumption of edible substances. Dietary Intake,Feed Intake,Food Intake,Macronutrient Intake,Micronutrient Intake,Nutrient Intake,Nutritional Intake,Ingestion,Dietary Intakes,Feed Intakes,Intake, Dietary,Intake, Feed,Intake, Food,Intake, Macronutrient,Intake, Micronutrient,Intake, Nutrient,Intake, Nutritional,Macronutrient Intakes,Micronutrient Intakes,Nutrient Intakes,Nutritional Intakes
D005502 Food Substances taken in by the body to provide nourishment. Foods
D005504 Food Analysis Measurement and evaluation of the components of substances to be taken as FOOD. Analysis, Food,Analyses, Food,Food Analyses
D001515 Beer An alcoholic beverage usually made from malted cereal grain (as barley), flavored with hops, and brewed by slow fermentation. Beers
D001530 Belgium A country in Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between France and the Netherlands. The capital is Brussels.
D001628 Beverages Liquids that are suitable for drinking. (From Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary, 10th ed) Beverage

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