Application of the BRAFO tiered approach for benefit-risk assessment to case studies on dietary interventions

Food Chem Toxicol. 2012 Nov:50 Suppl 4:S710-23. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2011.06.068. Epub 2011 Jul 7.

Abstract

The respective examples, described in this paper, illustrate how the BRAFO-tiered approach, on benefit-risk assessment, can be tested on a wide range of case studies. Various results were provided, ranging from a quick stop as the result of non-genuine benefit-risk questions to continuation through the tiers into deterministic/probabilistic calculations. The paper illustrates the assessment of benefits and risks associated with dietary interventions. The BRAFO tiered approach is tested with five case studies. In each instance, the benefit-risk approach is tested on the basis of existing evaluations for the individual effects done by others; no new risk or benefit evaluations were made. The following case studies were thoroughly analysed: an example of food fortification, folic acid fortification of flour, macronutrient replacement/food substitution; the isocaloric replacement of saturated fatty acids with carbohydrates; the replacement of saturated fatty acids with monounsaturated fatty acids; the replacement of sugar-sweetened beverages containing mono- and disaccharides with low calorie sweeteners and an example of addition of specific ingredients to food: chlorination of drinking water.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Bread
  • Caloric Restriction
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control
  • Chlorine / adverse effects
  • Chlorine / analysis
  • Diet*
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / administration & dosage
  • Dietary Carbohydrates / adverse effects
  • Dietary Fats / administration & dosage
  • Dietary Fats / adverse effects
  • Drinking Water / adverse effects
  • Drinking Water / chemistry
  • Energy Intake
  • Europe
  • Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Folic Acid / administration & dosage
  • Folic Acid / adverse effects
  • Food, Fortified
  • Health Promotion
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / etiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Risk Assessment / methods*
  • Sweetening Agents / administration & dosage
  • Sweetening Agents / adverse effects
  • Weight Loss

Substances

  • Dietary Carbohydrates
  • Dietary Fats
  • Drinking Water
  • Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated
  • Sweetening Agents
  • Chlorine
  • Folic Acid