International news
Connected beyond borders
Supporting the development of new methods for the risk assessment of chemicals in food – this is the mission of ILMERAC, an international network of more than 25 organisations from the area of food and feed safety. From 2024 to 2026, the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment will fill the role of ILMERAC chair, support the Scientific Secretariat, and organise, among other things, meetings and strategy discussions. In the past, ILMERAC has worked on various challenges in risk assessment, for example relating to mixtures and the transferability of data from animal experiments to humans.
EFSA Public Consultations
Did you know? The European Food Safety Authority (ESFA) regularly consults public opinion around the world with respect to risk assessment and scientific publications. EU law requires these consultations in the name of greater transparency and to obtain the broadest possible range of perspectives and scientific findings. The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment also contributes its expertise to the consultations.
More information: External Link:Current public EFSA consultations
Internal affairs
New BfR Vice-President
Since 1 March 2025, Dr Tewes Tralau has been the new Vice-President of the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment. Heshort forhelium succeeds professor Dr Tanja Schwerdtle, who switched to a new role as President of the Max Rubner Institute in autumn 2024.
The biologist Tralau has worked at the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment since 2010 and specialises in the topics of secondary metabolism, biochemistry, and regulatory toxicology.
Coronavirus exhibition on tour
The exhibition “#Krisenalltag – Kommunikation in der Pandemie” (#everydaycrisis – communication during the pandemic) can still be seen at the Landesmuseum Dithmarschen until 5 October 2025. The exhibition allows visitors to reflect on public communication during the pandemic. The interactive concept was developed as part of the BMBF-funded project “Optimising risk and crisis communication for governments, agencies, and public health organisations (MIRKKOMM)”. The exhibition was launched at the Museum of Communication Berlin in 2023 and is now on tour. The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment coordinates the project, and in a sub-project is researching conflicts of knowledge and values in times of crisis.
More information: External Link:Project website Mirkkomm (in German)
BfR with a fresh look
We’ve revamped our appearance! Since May of this year, the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment has a new online look: In a clearer and more modern way than before, External Link:bfr.bund.de/en/ and the associated microsites present issues concerning consumer health protection. The new, accessible website was specially developed for mobile use, meaning that more than 1,000 pages and 10,000 German- and English-language publications such as opinions, brochures, and videos on issues concerning food, product, and chemicals safety are also available while you are on the move. From easily comprehensible information for the public to specific, specialist knowledge for experts, the platform offers all target groups various entry points to the full spectrum of BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment topics.
Survey
Your opinion on BfR2GO
Last autumn, we asked you, our readers: How do you like our magazine? Your feedback showed that BfR2GO keeps you well informed about everyday health risks and the research behind them without causing anxiety. BfR2GO is perceived as trustworthy, comprehensible, and interesting, as well as scientifically accurate. The magazine is seen to have a clear format, to be engaging, varied and pleasant to read, the colours and text lengths are deemed suitable, the topics up-to-date and relevant, and the layout modern yet professional. Some respondents felt that BfR2GO could work on less complex but more in-depth articles involving consumer protection trends. Thank you to everyone that participated in the survey. We’ll stick with it – and with you, whose opinions we greatly value: publikationen@bfr.bund.de
