A policy analyst claims that typical additive use levels are always more than 1000-fold below the NOAEL for every substance on the market. Which evaluation best responds using knowledge of how safety margins are actually applied?

• A. This claim is accurate and universally true; regulators never use less than a 1000-fold safety margin, and therefore no further review is necessary
• B. This claim is irrelevant because safety margins are arbitrary and do not influence allowable exposure calculations under modern toxicology frameworks
• C. This claim is false because regulators always set allowable levels equal to the NOAEL itself, not below it; safety factors are not used in practice
• D. This claim is exaggerated: regulatory practice commonly applies a 100-fold safety factor to derive an ADI, but the multiple can be greater or smaller depending on data quality; therefore blanket statements about 1000-fold margins are not universally accurate

Answer: (D)