The Singapore Institute of Food Science & Technology (SIFST), together with the Singapore Toxicology Network, ILSI Southeast Asia and the Bezos Centre for Sustainable Protein at NUS, was pleased to host a public lecture on Advances in Risk Assessment of Botanicals and Mixtures and the Use of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), featuring internationally renowned toxicologists Professor A. Wallace Hayes and Professor Peter Pressman.

Professor Hayes highlighted the fundamental principles of toxicology that continue to underpin modern safety assessment:

✅ Dose matters
✅ People differ
✅ Things change

He emphasized that risk is a function of both hazard and exposure, with factors such as dose, timing, duration and individual susceptibility influencing safety outcomes. He also discussed emerging New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), including organ-on-chip technologies and computational approaches, that are enabling more human-relevant and predictive safety assessments.

Professor Pressman explored how Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling are advancing next-generation risk assessment. PBPK models use physiological and biochemical data to predict how substances are absorbed, distributed, metabolized and eliminated in the body, providing a more realistic understanding of internal exposure across different organs and populations. AI-enhanced PBPK approaches show particular promise for evaluating complex mixtures and botanical ingredients, helping to identify potential interactions and susceptible populations.

A key takeaway from both presentations was the shift towards more predictive, mechanistic and human-relevant toxicology, combining advances in AI, computational modelling and NAMs with sound scientific judgement and effective risk communication. These innovations are expected to play an increasingly important role in the safety assessment of food ingredients, nutraceuticals and novel foods.

SIFST extends its sincere appreciation to Professors Hayes and Pressman, our organizing partners, and all attendees for contributing to an engaging and insightful scientific discussion.