Das Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung

News

Sulphur dioxide and sulphites: EFSA re-evaluation identifies health risks at high consumption; data situation still incomplete

The EFSA points out that aspects such as immune system reactions to sulphites should be further investigated because of existing knowledge gaps. The BfR agrees with these conclusions and reiterates the need for an improved availability of data in order to be able to carry out a more robust risk assessment of sulphites.

Spelt can also trigger allergies - low level of public knowledge about spelt being a type of wheat

The BfR has assessed the relevance of labelling spelt as a type of wheat in the list of ingredients in terms of protecting public health. There is also the question of whether commercially available spelt has the same level of aller-genicity as commercially available wheat and, if so, whether consumers are aware of this fact.

Grafik zur Internationalen Grünen Woche 2023

What's in our food? The science in our cooking pots

Spotlight on food: The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) presents its BfR MEAL study at the Green Week in Berlin.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs): Proposal for restriction under the REACH Regulation submitted to the European Chemicals Agency

The national authorities of Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway Sweden, and Germany, with the participation of the BfR, have investigated the risks to the environment and humans resulting from the production, use and marketing of PFASs.

Jodsalz wird aus einer Schachtel geschüttet

Declining iodine intake in the population: model scenarios to improve iodine intake in children and adolescents

In Germany, the typical natural iodine concentrations in food are not high enough to ensure an adequate intake of iodine for the general population. As a result of a recommendation to use iodised table salt in the food industry, artisanal food retail and private households, iodine intake in the general population in Germany has improved since the mid-1980's.

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.