Strengthening food safety, promoting exchange

June 27th, 2024
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

New foods hit the supermarket shelves every day. Some of the products have traveled a long way. The variety of foods is constantly growing due to imports and exports, which also increases the requirements for scientific assessments and the communication of health risks. But what is the legal and institutional background to food safety in Germany and Europe? What characterizes a successful risk assessment? And how are toxicological assessments carried out?

In the 12th year of the BfR Summer Academy, over 700 participants from 72 countries will receive answers to these and other questions. The international exchange of experts aims to strengthen networking and cooperation in the field of food safety.

"Consumer health protection is a global challenge that affects us all. In order to be able to work together worldwide, it is important that processes are regulated by uniform standards," says Professor Andreas Hensel, President of the BfR.

"The participants of the Summer Academy not only work together on the most important steps of risk assessment, but also learn from each other and can network across borders."

The aim of the online training course is to familiarize participants with the concept of food safety in Germany and Europe. From 24 June to 28 June, experts from the BfR will give lectures on exposure assessment and the assessment of microbiological and chemical risks.

Under the motto "From experts for experts," participants will gain a sound understanding of hazard and exposure assessment as part of the risk assessment process.

The event is aimed at interested parties from public institutions who are already involved in food risk assessment.

With its Summer Academy, the BfR contributes to the international harmonization of food safety standards. The high European standards, regulations and knowledge regarding food quality, safety and hygiene can serve as a guiding example.

Provided by BfR Federal Institute for Risk Assessment