Das Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung

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Titelbild zum BfR-Wissenschaftsmagazin BfR2GO Ausgabe 01/2023

From the trough to the plate – why safe feed is important also for human health

The new “BfR2GO” scientific magazine focuses on feed and its safety. The 11th issue is out now.

Plant protection products - high standards for risk assessment also in case of mixtures

People are exposed to a multitude of substances – this includes natural as well as man-made chemicals. In case of simultaneous co-exposure one speaks of exposure to so-called mix-tures. In its remit of consumer health protection, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) also assesses and evaluates mixtures.

Cyprus and Germany: Working together for safe food

Germany and Cyprus want to deepen their cooperation in consumer health protection. This is the aim of a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) between the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) and its Cypriot sister authority, the State General Laboratory (SGL).

Pflanzenschutzmittel werden auf ein Feld gesprüht

Study on the transparent approval of plant protection products: Manufacturers should submit all available studies on an active substance

The respective procedures within the European Union (EU) are among the strictest in the world. A Swedish study published in the scientific journal "Environmental Health" has now investigated the question of whether studies that were available to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were also made known to the corresponding EU authorities.

Residues of plant production products in strawberries - no health effects expected

According to tests by a non-governmental organisation, residues of plant protection products were detected in commercially available strawberries. Within this context, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) points out that the identification of residues in foods does not necessarily pose a health risk for consumers.

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.