Key message:
Some of the suggested maximum limits for molybdenum in food supplements from the Norwegian Food Safety Authority may lead to molybdenum intakes above the tolerable upper intake level.
The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment (VKM) has evaluated intake of molybdenum, tolerable upper intake levels and consequences of establishing maximum limits for molybdenum in food supplements at 100, 250, 500 or 1000 µg per day.
VKM support the tolerable upper intake level suggested by the Scientific Committee on Food in 2000 at 600 µg/day.
The highest suggested maximum limit of 1000 µg molybdenum from food supplements will lead to exceedance of the tolerable upper intake level for adults. For 1-3-year-old children, all the suggested maximum limits for molybdenum will lead to exceedance of the tolerable upper intake level. In children, 4-10 years, supplements with 250, 500 or 1000 µg molybdenum will lead to exceedance of the tolerable upper intake levels, whereas for adolescents 11-17 years, the tolerable upper intake level will be exceeded with supplemental doses at 500 or 1000 µg per day.
This VKM-opinion is based merely on previously published reports on upper intake levels of molybdenum, and no systematic literature search has been conducted.
The VKM´s Panel on Nutrition, Dietetic Products, Novel Food and Allergy is responsible for the opinion.
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The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment