Das Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung

News

Hygienic handling of mineral, spring and table water as well as drinking water in the household

The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) answers FAQs about microbial risks related to mineral, spring and table water, and explains the differences to drinking water from the tap.

Food additives in the spotlight

BfR organises international conference on the analysis and regulation of food additives

Avoiding infections - What should be considered when consuming raw milk?

Raw milk is the term used to describe untreated milk from cattle, sheep and goats that is sold to the consumer with its natural fat content without undergoing homogenisation and heat treatment (e.g. pasteurisation).

BfR Vice President Professor Dr Tanja Schwerdtle becomes President of the Max Rubner Institute

Tanja Schwerdtle has been Vice President of the BfR since March 2020. She will be President of the MRI from September 2024.

The consumption of wild boar liver contributes to a high intake of PFAS

The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has carried out a health risk assessment regarding concentrations of for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wild boar liver from Schleswig-Holstein.

Product Notifications and Poisonings

The Institute

The Institute was set up in November 2002 to strengthen consumer health protection. It is the scientific agency of the Federal Republic of Germany which is responsible for preparing expert reports and opinions on food and feed safety as well as on the safety of substances and products.

BfR endeavours to constantly undertake topical assessments of the risks associated with foods - be it from heavy metals, pesticide residues, toxic ingredients or the like (substance risks), be it from bacteria, viruses or fungi (microbial risks) or be it risks from novel technologies in food production (novel foods).

For health assessment the decisive factor is whether and, if so, on what scale consumers come into contact with the substances contained in the products and what health risks these might entail. This requires knowledge about the numerous substances, materials and their processing into various products.

Chemicals are encountered in almost all areas of daily life. That's why stiff requirements must be imposed to ensure the safe handling of chemicals. The proper handling of chemicals may not constitute a risk to the health of man or to the environment.