Abstract: 【Objective】The aim of this study was to ascertain the dietary intake risk of forchlorfenuron for Chinese residents and the consumer protection level of existing maximum residue limits (MRLs) in fruits and vegetables. 【Method】 The methods were used are assessment of national estimated daily intakes (NEDIs) and national estimated short-term intakes (NESTIs) by supervised residue trials and residue monitoring for market commodities, and the assessment of theoretical maximum daily intakes (TMDIs) and theoretical maximum short-term intakes (TMSTIs) by existing MRLs. 【Result】 Supervised residue trials based assessment showed that NEDIs of forchlorfenuron were 0.117-0.318 μg•kg-1 bw•d-1 for all groups of Chinese residents, the percent ratio to acceptable daily intake (ADI) was only 0.17%-0.45%; NESTIs were 0.06-1.33 μg•kg-1 bw•d-1, the percent ratio to acute reference dose (ARfD) was merely 0.01%-0.13%. Market monitoring based assessment showed that NEDIs of forchlorfenuron were 0.022-0.061 μg•kg-1 bw•d-1 for all groups of Chinese residents, the percent ratio to ADI was only 0.03%-0.09%; NESTIs were 0.20-0.83 μg•kg-1 bw•d-1, the percent ratio to ARfD was merely 0.02%-0.08%. Theoretical maximum daily intakes (TMDIs) of forchlorfenuron were 0.51-1.38 μg•kg-1 bw•d-1, theoretical maximum short-term intakes (TMSTIs) were 0.64-23.25 μg•kg-1 bw•d-1 for all groups of Chinese residents. The consumer protection level (CPL) of exiting forchlorfenuron MRLs were 51-138 times for chronic dietary risk and 43-1 564 times for acute dietary risk. 【Conclusion】The dietary intake risk of forchlorfenuron residue in fruits and vegetables was very low for all groups of Chinese residents, and CPL of exiting forchlorfenuron MRLs was higher.

Key words: forchlorfenuron, dietary intake, risk assessment, consumer protection level, fruits and vegetables