Artificial intelligence and global exchange for greater food safety BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment delegation at the China International Food Safety & Quality (CIFSQ) Conference
What it's about:
Artificial intelligence (AI) in food safety, sustainable food through innovation and new technologies in risk assessment – over 700 participants exchanged views on current issues relating to food safety and consumer protection at the China International Food Safety and Quality (CIFSQ) Conference in Beijing on 5 and 6 November 2025.
A delegation from the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) led by Professor Dr Matthias Greiner, Head of the ExposureExposureTo glossary Department, also took part in the conference with its own contributions. In addition to numerous presentations and discussion panels, there was also an opportunity for personal exchanges with representatives from science, industry and technology from numerous German federal states ("Laender") and from international organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations.
The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment has been engaged in scientific exchange with Chinese food safety institutions such as the China National Centre for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) for many years. In 2012, both institutions signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation. Since then, there have been mutual research visits, joint workshops and events aimed at building capacity in risk assessment.
The China International Food Safety & Quality (CIFSQ) Conference is an annual conference organised on behalf of numerous international organisations. It serves as a platform for exchange and networking between international experts in the field of food safety, particularly with regard to advances in the domains of technology, science and management practices.
The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment has been participating regularly in the conference for many years. This year's delegation included Dr Thomas Tietz from the unit "Safety of Food Contact Materials", who gave a presentation on possible health risks posed by unintentionally added substances in food contact materials. Professor Dr Matthias Greiner, who represented the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment as Vice-President, spoke on the topic of "Global consumer protection – are we prepared for ever-increasing sensitivity?". Professor Greiner also moderated a panel discussion on AI in food safety together with Dr Masami Takeuchi from the FAO.
More information on the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment-website
- Press release on the scientific exchange between Germany and China To the press release
- Communication on the German-Chinese cooperation for better food safety To the communication
About the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) is a scientifically independent public health institute within the portfolio of the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH). The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment advises the Federal Government and the States (‘Laender’) on questions related to food, feed, chemical and product safety. The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment conducts independent research on topics that are closely linked to its assessment tasks.