Polyethylene glycol (E 1521) exposure from food supplements
What it found
The highest estimated intake of polyethylene glycol from food supplements was 6.1 mg per kg body weight per day.
The authors say this is likely an overestimate of real intake.
What they found
Exposure estimates
Estimated intake of polyethylene glycol (E 1521) from food supplements was up to 3.5 mg per kg body weight per day on average and up to 6.1 mg per kg body weight per day at the high level.
Likely overestimate
The authors say that because of uncertainties, these estimates very likely overestimated the real exposure to polyethylene glycol (E 1521).
Comparison with ADIs
The highest calculated exposure estimate falls within the range of the group acceptable daily intake previously set by SCF (5 mg per kg body weight per day for PEG 300-4000) and by JECFA (10 mg per kg body weight per day for PEG 200-10000).
What the authors conclude
“Considering the uncertainties of the exposure assessment, these estimates very likely overestimated the real exposure to polyethylene glycol (E 1521).”
Also in their conclusions
- They note that the highest calculated exposure estimate falls within the range of the group ADI previously established by SCF and JECFA.
- They consider that the uncertainties mean the estimates very likely overestimated real exposure.
How it was done
Polyethylene glycol (E 1521) has been evaluated before, and the panel wanted to update its exposure assessment using current usage data.
The panel estimated how much polyethylene glycol people might take in from its use in food supplements. They used reported use levels from a 2017 call for data and assumed only supplement consumers were exposed.
What it can’t tell you
- We summarised it from the abstract only.
- This assessment only looked at polyethylene glycol (E 1521) used in food supplements, not other possible uses.
- It cannot show what health effects might occur at these estimated intakes.
The paper
- Title
- Refined exposure assessment of polyethylene glycol (E 1521) from its use as a food additive
- Type
- Scientific opinion of the European Food Safety Authority
- Summarised from
- Abstract only
- Cite
- EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (EFSA ANS Panel), Younes M, Aggett P, et al (2018). Refined exposure assessment of polyethylene glycol (E 1521) from its use as a food additive. EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority. doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5293Free full textPubMed 32625932DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error