Minister for Agriculture Alois Rainer visits the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment Importance of the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment for food and product safety highlighted
What it's about:
Alois Rainer, Federal Minister for Agriculture, Food and Home Affairs, visited the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) in Berlin-Marienfelde today, 7 July 2026. The Minister’s programme included attending the Institute’s General Assembly, a meeting with the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment management and a tour of the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment experimental farm. The main topics of discussion were consumer health protection and the role of scientific policy advice. The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment is a scientifically independent research institute operating under the Ministry’s remit.
On the occasion of his visit, Federal Minister Alois Rainer stated: “Close cooperation between research and policy is essential for identifying risks at an early stage and taking targeted countermeasures. Through its work, the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment makes a significant contribution to ensuring that food, substances and products in Germany and Europe are safer. At present, hybrid threats to critical infrastructure are at the top of the list of potential – and, unfortunately, very real – risks. Of course, our food and feed can also become targets of attack. We want to protect people from this hazard as effectively as possible. We are in the process of establishing key structures and significantly strengthening cooperation between the federal government and the German federal states in the domain of food and feed defence. We are also driving forward activities in this domain at federal level.”
“The timely identification of new health risks to the population is one of the BfR’s key tasks,” said BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment President Prof. Andreas Hensel. “Scientific assessment, policy advice and public information are the BfR’s key tools in this regard. Current issues such as microplastics and PFAS compounds – also known as ‘forever chemicals’ – are causing concern among many people. They are examples of just how important it is for the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment to advise policymakers and educate the public on a scientific basis.”
At the heart of the BfR’s work lies the health risk assessment of food and feed, chemicals and products, which forms the basis for the Federal Government’s consumer health protection. In addition, the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment conducts research into topics closely related to its assessment tasks. The Institute advises the relevant federal ministries and, in some cases, other senior federal authorities. To this end, it produces, amongst other things, scientific opinions and opinions. The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment is also involved in a number of notification and authorisation procedures.
Science as the foundation
The BfR’s work in the field of consumer health protection is characterised by its scientific, research-driven approach. The authorities responsible for risk management have access to the Institute’s health risk assessments and proposed courses of action. The BfR’s findings and recommendations serve as an important source of information and decision-making aid for all interested parties. Through its science-based risk assessment, the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment provides impetus for consumer health protection both within and outside Germany.
Risk communication and the protection of laboratory animals
The BfR’s other statutory tasks include risk communication and, consequently, informing the public about potential health risks, new findings and research results. The BfR’s risk communication forms the basis for a continuous process and dialogue characterised by transparency, reliability and the greatest possible openness.
Also part of the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment is the German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R). It develops and refines methods in line with the "3R" principle. The "3R" principle stands for reducing, refining and replacing animal experiments. Furthermore, the Bf3R stimulates research activities worldwide and promotes scientific dialogue. In addition, the centre publishes the annual statistics on laboratory animals in Germany.
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 institution within the portfolio of the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH). It protects people's health preventively in the fields of public health and veterinary public health. The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment provides advice to the Federal Government as well as the Federal States (‘Laender’) on questions related to food, feed, chemical and product safety. The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment conducts its own research on topics closely related to its assessment tasks.