International News
Chemical assessment with a global perspective
Under the chairmanship of the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, ILMERAC’s activities continue to grow. Within this international network, methods for the risk assessment of chemicals in food and feed are being further developed. In 2025, experts shared their knowledge on topics including artificial intelligence (AI), new approach methodologies (NAMs) and international cooperation at forums organised by the World Health Organisation in Dubai, Vietnam and China. In 2026, the focus will be on novel technologies in chemical risk assessment. The annual meeting will take place on the fringes of an AI conference in Paris.
More information: External Link:BfR information ILMERAC
Interna
Partnership-based exchange
The strategic development of the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment and its French and Danish partner institutions, ANSES and DTU Food, was the focus of the annual meeting in March 2026 in Berlin. Other topics included joint cooperation with international organisations and the exchange of specialist knowledge, for example on the use of artificial intelligence and capacity building in risk assessment. Exchanges of experts to explore these shared topics in greater depth are now planned.
More information: External Link:BfR press release "The BfR, DTU and ANSES sign a cooperation agreement” (in German)
Cooperation without borders
Strengthening consumer protection across national borders: to this end, the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment expanded its cooperation with new partners from Moldova, Saudi Arabia and Latvia in 2025. The focus is on the exchange of scientific risk assessment, knowledge transfer, capacity building and the networking of experts. In addition to food safety, common topics include new assessment methods, digital tools and clear risk communication.
More information: External Link:BfR information “Co-operation”
Events
Working together on AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) is also gaining importance in the field of consumer health protection. Experts will discuss how AI technologies could be used for monitoring along the food chain in October 2026 in Paris at the AI Conference on Food Safety, Animal and Plant Health, organised by the French Agency for Food Safety (ANSES) in collaboration with the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Denmark’s National Food Institute (DTU Food) and the South Korean partner institute NIFDS.
When? 29-30 October 2026
Where? Maisons-Alfort/Paris
More information: External Link:ANSES conference information
