Risk assessment of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). Opinion of the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment

acceptedVersio

Risk assessment of melatonin. Opinion of the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment

publishedVersio

Protocol for risk assessment of “other substances”. The Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment

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Effectiveness of mRNA booster vaccination against mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19 caused by the Omicron variant in a large, population-based, Norwegian cohort

Background Understanding how booster vaccination can prevent moderate and severe illness without hospitalization is crucial to evaluate the full advantage of mRNA boosters. Methods We followed 85 801 participants (aged 31–81 years) in 2 large population-based cohorts during the Omicron BA.1/2 wave. Information on home testing, PCR testing, and symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was extracted from biweekly questionnaires covering the period 12 January 2022 to 7 April 2022. Vaccination status and data on previous SARS-CoV-2 infection were obtained from national registries. Cox regression was used to estimate the effectiveness of booster vaccination compared to receipt of 2-dose primary series >130 days previously. Results The effectiveness of booster vaccination increased with increasing severity of COVID-19 and decreased with time since booster vaccination. The effectiveness against severe COVID-19 was reduced from 80.9% shortly after booster vaccination to 63.4% in the period >90 days after vaccination. There was hardly any effect against mild COVID-19. The effectiveness tended to be lower among subjects aged ≥60 years than those aged <50 years. Conclusions This is the first population-based study to evaluate booster effectiveness against self-reported mild, moderate, and severe COVID-19. Our findings contribute valuable information on duration of protection and thus timing of additional booster vaccinations.publishedVersio

Maternal dietary selenium intake during pregnancy is associated with higher birth weight and lower risk of small for gestational age births in the norwegian mother, father and child cohort study

Selenium is an essential trace element involved in the body’s redox reactions. Low selenium intake during pregnancy has been associated with low birth weight and an increased risk of children being born small for gestational age (SGA). Based on data from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) and the Medical Birth Registry of Norway (MBRN), we studied the association of maternal selenium intake from diet and supplements during the first half of pregnancy (n = 71,728 women) and selenium status in mid-pregnancy (n = 2628 women) with birth weight and SGA status, according to population-based, ultrasound-based and customized growth standards. An increase of one standard deviation of maternal dietary selenium intake was associated with increased birth weight z-scores ( f = 0.027, 95% CI: 0.007, 0.041) and lower SGA risk (OR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.86, 0.97) after adjusting for confounders. Maternal organic and inorganic selenium intake from supplements as well as whole blood selenium concentration were not associated with birth weight or SGA. Our results suggest that a maternal diet rich in selenium during pregnancy may be beneficial for foetal growth. However, the effect estimates were small and further studies are needed to elucidate the potential impact of selenium on foetal growth

Risk-benefit assessment of sunscreen: Opinion of the Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids, Materials in Contact with Food, and Cosmetics of the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment

publishedVersio

Risk-benefit assessment of sunscreen: Opinion of the Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids, Materials in Contact with Food, and Cosmetics of the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment

publishedVersio

Risk-benefit assessment of sunscreen - Opinion of the Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids, Materials in Contact with Food, and Cosmetics of the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment

VKM has performed a risk-benefit assessment of sunscreen use and six UV filters. This task was undertaken on the initiative of a VKM Panel in response to the apparent paradox between the need for protective measures, such as use of sunscreens, to reduce Norway’s high incidence and mortality of skin cancer and a consumer concern for the safety of sunscreens. Concerns include safety of ingredients and sunscreens’ effect on vitamin D synthesis. Sunscreen products are legally regulated as cosmetic products in the EU, and only approved UV filters up to a maximum determined concentration are allowed in the ready-foruse preparation. VKM used a systematic approach to assess risks and benefits of sunscreen use and risks of six selected UV filters: bis-ethyl-hexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine (BEMT), butyl methoxydibenzoyl methane (BMDBM), 2-ethylhexyl salicylate (EHS), ethylhexyl triazone (EHT), octocrylene (OC), and titanium dioxide in nanoform (NP-TiO2). These UV filters are among the most frequently used in sunscreens on the Norwegian market. Sunscreen sprays and lip products were not included. Scientific publications and reports up to 2020 were retrieved to assess adverse and protective effects of sunscreen and adverse effects of UV filters. We assessed risk of bias in the studies and evidence for health outcomes with the aid of validity tools, and estimated exposure to each UV filter using probabilistic methods. The evidence showed that sunscreens were beneficial in protecting against certain skin cancers. Insufficient evidence precluded determination of the hazard associated with sunscreen use. The UV filters occurred in concentrations similar to or below the limits set in the EU cosmetics regulative. VKM considered that little to no hazard was associated with use of the six evaluated UV filters. VKM concludes that the risks related to use of the six evaluated UV filters are negligible since the real-life use of these UV filters is several-fold lower than the amounts that may cause any adverse health effect. The evidence for harmful health effects of sunscreens is insufficient to determine risk. Sunscreen use protects against certain skin cancers and is beneficial for the general Norwegian population.Risk-benefit assessment of sunscreen - Opinion of the Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids, Materials in Contact with Food, and Cosmetics of the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and EnvironmentpublishedVersio

Risk-benefit assessment of sunscreen - Opinion of the Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids, Materials in Contact with Food, and Cosmetics of the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and Environment

VKM has performed a risk-benefit assessment of sunscreen use and six UV filters. This task was undertaken on the initiative of a VKM Panel in response to the apparent paradox between the need for protective measures, such as use of sunscreens, to reduce Norway’s high incidence and mortality of skin cancer and a consumer concern for the safety of sunscreens. Concerns include safety of ingredients and sunscreens’ effect on vitamin D synthesis. Sunscreen products are legally regulated as cosmetic products in the EU, and only approved UV filters up to a maximum determined concentration are allowed in the ready-foruse preparation. VKM used a systematic approach to assess risks and benefits of sunscreen use and risks of six selected UV filters: bis-ethyl-hexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine (BEMT), butyl methoxydibenzoyl methane (BMDBM), 2-ethylhexyl salicylate (EHS), ethylhexyl triazone (EHT), octocrylene (OC), and titanium dioxide in nanoform (NP-TiO2). These UV filters are among the most frequently used in sunscreens on the Norwegian market. Sunscreen sprays and lip products were not included. Scientific publications and reports up to 2020 were retrieved to assess adverse and protective effects of sunscreen and adverse effects of UV filters. We assessed risk of bias in the studies and evidence for health outcomes with the aid of validity tools, and estimated exposure to each UV filter using probabilistic methods. The evidence showed that sunscreens were beneficial in protecting against certain skin cancers. Insufficient evidence precluded determination of the hazard associated with sunscreen use. The UV filters occurred in concentrations similar to or below the limits set in the EU cosmetics regulative. VKM considered that little to no hazard was associated with use of the six evaluated UV filters. VKM concludes that the risks related to use of the six evaluated UV filters are negligible since the real-life use of these UV filters is several-fold lower than the amounts that may cause any adverse health effect. The evidence for harmful health effects of sunscreens is insufficient to determine risk. Sunscreen use protects against certain skin cancers and is beneficial for the general Norwegian population.Risk-benefit assessment of sunscreen - Opinion of the Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids, Materials in Contact with Food, and Cosmetics of the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food and EnvironmentpublishedVersio

Association of sweetened carbonated beverage consumption during pregnancy and ADHD symptoms in the ofspring: a study from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa)

Purpose Intrauterine exposures influence offspring health and development. Here we investigated maternal intake of sweetened carbonated beverages (SCB) during pregnancy and its association with ADHD symptoms in the offspring. Methods This study was based on the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) and the Medical Birth Registry of Norway. Maternal diet mid-pregnancy was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). All mothers who responded to the FFQ and a questionnaire when their child was 8 years of age were included (n = 39,870). The exposure was defined as maternal intake (daily servings) of SCB, using no daily intake as reference. Outcome was offspring ADHD symptoms, evaluated as a continuous standardized ADHD score and as a binary outcome of six or more ADHD symptoms vs. five symptoms or less. Associations were analysed using log-binomial regression and linear mixed regression models with adjustment for covariates. Results The adjusted regression coefficients for the standardized ADHD offspring symptom score were 0.31 [95% confidence intervals (0.001, 0.62)] and 0.46 (0.15, 0.77) for maternal daily intake of ≥ 1 glasses of SCB, when the models included adjustments for total energy intake or energy intake from other sources than SCBs and sweet drinks, respectively. The corresponding adjusted relative risks were 1.16 (1.004, 1.34) and 1.21. (1.05, 1.39) for drinking ≥ 1 glasses daily. Conclusion In a large pregnancy cohort with offspring followed until 8 years of age, we found an association between maternal daily intake of SCB and offspring ADHD symptoms. These results suggest a weak positive relationship between prenatal exposure to SCB and offspring ADHD.publishedVersio