• keyvisual_2 Independent Risk Assessment BfR assesses risks from many areas of daily life. This includes the large spectrum of chemicals as well as foods of plant or animal origin, cosmetics and toys.
  • Reagenzgläser Identify Risks - Protect Health These are the tasks which are incumbent on the German Federal Institute for risk assessment (BfR) when it comes to progressive consumer protection. They encompass the independent assessment of existing and the identification of new health risks.
  • Institutsgebäude Marienfelde (jpg) Scientific excellence as the basis for long lasting confidence BfR gathers the latest scientific findings through an ongoing international exchange with experts from other scientific institutions but also from its own research.

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Das Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung

News

BfR Consumer Monitor: The majority of Germans are aware of the "sleep hormone" melatonin, but many are sceptical

The substance melatonin was a topic in the BfR Consumer Monitor for the first time. 

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PFAS: Not all “forever chemicals” are persisting in the body

PFAS are distributed worldwide in the environment and are absorbed in small quantities through food and drinking water. Four long-chain compounds in particular can be detected in the organism, which are known to have very long residence times in humans. However, this is not the case for all substances, as a comparative study of 15 PFAS compounds shows. 

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What Values Does Science Hold?

“Knowledge and values - significance for science and society” is the topic of the 3rd BfR Knowledge Dialogue on 4 November 2024 at 4 pm in Berlin's Magnus-Haus. {{Livestreaming}} is available.

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The Institute

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.

Product safety

Product safety

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. 

Food Safety

Food Safety

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

Chemicals

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.

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