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Assessment of microbial risks in foods
Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter – and other bacteria as well as viruses in foods can constitute a health risk for humans. The task of BfR is to control the spreading of these microbial risks in the food chain and assess the health risk of contaminated foods and feeds. The control of pathogens starts as early as possible: during food production and processing.
Foodborne diseases caused by microorganisms
Microorganisms are – apart from malnutrition – the by far most frequent cause for foodborne diseases. Pathogens can occur in foods originating from animals but also in plant-based foods. The currently most important food infections, campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis originate above all in the primary production, i.e. the animal stocks.
Research on Salmonella infections and other zoonoses
Diseases which can be transmitted from animals to humans are referred to as zoonoses. In this connection the foodborne Listeria, toxoplasms and Yersinia are the most relevant.
The tasks of the BfR experts include research on zoonotic agents, their transmission and dissemination paths as well as the development of diagnostic methods which are suitable for routine examinations of foods.
A salmonellosis is an inflammatory disease of the gastro-intestinal tract (infectious gastroenteritis) caused by Salmonella (bacteria). It is caused by poor hygiene measures, the consumption of contaminated drinking water or contaminated foods.
Campylobacteriosis in turn refers to diseases which are caused by bacteria of the Campylobacter genus, a genus of spiral bacteria.
Reference laboratories for zoonotic agents
In view of controlling the most relevant zoonotic agents, BfR develops measures for a sustainably safe food production.
BfR hosts additional national reference laboratories for different zoonotic agents in order to meet the very high demands on securing consumer health protection.
Information
(5)Date | Title | Size |
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31.03.2009 BfR Information No. 010/2009
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Food involved in disease outbreaks in Germany in 2007 |
27.2 KB |
31.05.2009 BfR Information No. 033/2009
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Food involved in disease outbreaks in Germany in 2008 |
29.9 KB |
01.03.2010 BfR Information Nr. 012/2010
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Hepatitis E virus in wild boars in Germany |
26.4 KB |
27.07.2010 BfR Information No. 033/2010
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Food involved in disease outbreaks in Germany in 2009 |
33.2 KB |
14.12.2015 BfR Information Nr. 047/2015
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Wearing gloves when eviscerating animals protects hunters from hepatitis E |
22.8 KB |
Opinion
(28)FAQ
(7)Date | Title | Size |
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17.08.2016 BfR FAQs
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Selected questions and answers about barbecuing |
64.9 KB |
15.06.2011 Updated BfR FAQ
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Frequently Asked Questions on EHEC infections caused by vegetable foods |
50.2 KB |
15.06.2023 Updated BfR FAQ
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Rare but avoidable: questions and answers about botulism |
72.4 KB |
22.08.2024 Updated BfR FAQ
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Foodborne infections in private households – identifying sources and avoiding risks |
289.0 KB |
09.02.2016 FAQ to the BfR
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Questions and answers on the transmission of the hepatitis E virus through wild boars and domestic pigs and foods derived from them |
31.6 KB |
06.09.2024 BfR FAQ
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Avoiding infections - What should be considered when consuming raw milk? |
255.6 KB |
27.07.2016 BfR FAQ
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Questions and answers on the transfer of TBE viruses through raw milk |
33.3 KB |
Other documents
(1)Date | Title | Size |
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13.11.2003 BfR Report
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First results of the International Symposium on the Risk Analysis of Antibiotic Resistance |
34.0 KB |
Press releases
(50)Communication
(6)Date | Title | Size |
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22.01.2015 BfR Communication No. 003/2015
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Antimicrobial Resistance in Livestock and Food - Its Significance for Human Medicine and Options for Action in Risk Management |
44.0 KB |
04.01.2016 BfR communication No. 001/2016
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Self-made herbal oils and vegetables marinated in oil conceal health risks |
23.0 KB |
14.05.2020 BfR Communication No. 022/2020
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Next-generation sequencing: opportunities and limitations for human and animal health protection |
237.4 KB |
02.06.2020 BfR Communication No. 025/2020
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Risks of disease from microbial pathogens in food can be predicted more quickly |
142.0 KB |
15.07.2021 Joint communication No 022/2021 by the BfR and MRI
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Does the bovine paratuberculosis pathogen play a role in the development of Crohn's disease in humans? |
204.8 KB |
24.10.2022 Joint Communication No. 028/2022 of the BfR and the FLI
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Is African Swine Fever also transmitted through feed? |
97.6 KB |