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16th BfR Consumer Protection Forum
“Pyrrolizidine alkaloids – Challenges to
agriculture and consumer protection”
The occurrence and health risks of pyrrolizidine alkaloids
(PA) were discussed with scientists at the 16th BfR Con-
sumer Protection Forum. PA are secondary metabolites
produced by several plants, such as ragwort, as protection
against herbivores. It has been shown in animal experi-
ments that PA can cause cancer and they are undesired
in foods and feeds for this reason. Representatives of
consumer protection organisations and trade and indus-
try associations had the opportunity on the second day of
the forum to present and discuss their points of view. The
event was broadcast live on the internet in German and
English per livestream.
BfR Symposium on
Antimicrobial Resistance in the Food Chain
The significance of livestock farming and food production
for the occurrence of resistant bacteria in humans is a
subject of intensive public discussion. The BfR has issued
invitations several times in the last few years to symposiums
on this topic with experts from various fields. The latest
developments with regard to the occurrence of resistant
germs in the food chain were discussed at the symposium
Antimicrobial Resistance in the Food Chain 2015. Meas-
ures planned and already in use to reduce consumer ex-
posure to resistant bacteria from livestock farming were
also discussed. Human and veterinary medicine should
work together to minimise antimicrobial resistance (“One
Health” approach).
2–3 November 2015 3–4 December 2015
About the BfR
Numerous questions were answered at the consumer
protection forum on pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which met
with great public interest.
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