Das Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung

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Infection with SARS-CoV-2 via pork meat unlikely according to current state of knowledge

The BfR is not aware of any reports of SARS-CoV-2 infections resulting from the consumption of meat or contact with contaminated meat products. Contamination of meat and meat products or its packaging with coronavirus could occur during the slaughtering, butchering, processing and packaging processes, however.

What about the intellectual property of government research institutions?

Are government research institutions entitled to intellectual property rights to their work? Does freedom of the press allow publication without the consent of the author? The Cologne Regional Court dealt with these and other questions in a legal dispute brought by the BfR.

Laboruntersuchung mit Hilfe von Nährmedien

Bacillus cereus bacteria in foodstuffs may cause gastrointestinal diseases

The current opinion provides information about health risks from bacteria of the B. cereus group in foods and names preventative measures, mainly in order to create a basis for assessing foodstuffs by food control authorities in Germany.

BfR-Corona-Monitor - as to 10 - 11 November

The legislation in force since the beginnung of November for the containment of the coronavirus is met with mixed reactions from the general public. While measures such as mandatory distance, mandatory use of masks or quarantine continue to be widely accepted, the closure of gastronomic an cultural establishments is viewed with partial scepticism.

New newsletter: now without job vacancies

The BfR has revised its newsletter range. You will no longer receive job advertisements with this newsletter. For this, please subscribe to our "job vacancies" newsletter.

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.

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.

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).

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.