Peer reviewed
Manuscript (original) submitted: 13 June 2025; revision accepted: 4 December 2025
Results from the BfR-MEAL study and the KiESEL study
Introduction
Exposure estimates are a key component of risk assessment in order to describe the risk as a function of the hazard and intake of a substance [1]. This requires a highly realistic representation of exposure. A reliable estimate of intake requires both representative consumption data and detailed and reliable occurrence data for the foods and beverages consumed. Occurrence data from the BfR-MEAL study (‘Meals for Exposure Assessment and Analysis of Foods’) [2] together with consumption data from the KiESEL study (‘Children’s Nutrition Survey to Record Food Consumption’) provide a solid basis for estimating exposure to the trace elements manganese, molybdenum, and zinc in children under 6 years of age [3]. Thus, there are comprehensive data available in Germany that allow for the estimation of dietary intakes of the trace elements considered.
When estimating dietary exposure, particular attention should be paid to infants, toddlers, and preschool children, as these population groups are considered especially vulnerable due to rapid growth as well as higher nutrient requirements and food consumption relative to body weight. Moreover, their dietary patterns differ substantially from those of adults [4], making child-specific intake assessments essential.
Abstract
Ensuring an adequate intake of essential trace elements while avoiding excessive exposure is particularly important during early childhood.
This study aimed to estimate dietary intakes of manganese, molybdenum, and zinc in children aged 0.5 to 5 years. For this purpose, food concentration data from the first German Total Diet Study (BfR-MEAL study) were combined with food consumption data from the KiESEL study. The results indicate that, according to the estimates, at the median children achieve adequate intakes of manganese, molybdenum, and zinc through their diet. At the 95th percentile of intake, between 47% and 96% of the Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) or safe level of intake are reached, depending on age group and dietary scenario. The highest exceedances of the UL were observed for molybdenum under a predominantly organic food consumption scenario, where 12% of children aged 1 to 3 years exceeded the UL. In contrast, exceedances were below 3% in all other scenarios and for manganese and zinc.
