In this issue
Dear readers,
Tough times for those with a sweet tooth: Nowadays, sugar gets a lot of bad press. It is considered a cause of weight gain and diabetes. Those who still want to experience the tempting aroma often choose low-calorie or zero-calorie sweeteners. However, there are also suspected health impairments. What this is all about and whether these suspicions are true will be discussed as the main topic of this issue.
Animal testing is always a topic of heated debate. Ten years ago, the German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals was founded at the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment. Here, animal welfare and science are combined together. In this issue, we take stock of this success story while also considering what the future might hold.
I would like to draw your attention to two other hot topics covered in this issue of BfR2GO. Microplastics in food are a source of concern for many people, as we know from the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment Consumer Monitor. We explore why these concerns (and headlines) are so prominent. Foodborne infections are a very real risk in every scenario involving food and drinks. We present new, genome-based methods for tracking down pathogen sources more quickly.
I wish you a sugar-free yet nutritious read!
Professor Dr Dr Dr h. c. Andreas Hensel
BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment President
