Abstract
Sodium benzoate (E211) and potassium sorbate (E202) are two preservatives widely used alone or in combination in the food industry in Algeria. This study aims to estimate the dietary exposure of children and adolescents to these substances in Oran Province (Algeria) and to assess the risks incurred in consuming these two preservatives. For this, a total of 116 commercial food samples were analyzed for potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate content by HPLC, and a survey was carried out on 250 children and 765 adolescents using a consumption frequency questionnaire as the method. The concentration of preservatives in foodstuffs was mostly within the maximum permitted limits set by national and international standards. In scenario 2 and scenario 3, the estimated average dietary exposure to the two preservatives was below the ADI: it was 17-48% and 21-36% of the ADI for potassium sorbate and sodium benzoate, respectively. The dietary exposure at the 95th percentile exceeded the ADI for sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate when calculations were made using the average of samples containing these preservatives. The main contributors to exposure were carbonated drinks for sodium benzoate and juices, cheeses, and yogurts for potassium sorbate.