Almost half of the respondents surveyed by the BfR stated that they consumed food supplements in order to treat illnesses or other health conditions. However, unlike medical drugs, food supplements are not intended to be used as treatment. They are not allowed to be promoted with illness-related claims. It is undisputed that vitamins and minerals generally fulfil important functions within the body and that deficiencies can lead to health impairments. However, unnecessary additional intake of vitamins or minerals can lead to undesired health effects, as is explained in the new issue of BfR2GO. In an interview, BfR scientist Dr Nadiya Bakhiya details possible health risks posed by consumption of food supplements with plant-based ingredients.
In addition to the main topic and just in time for summer, the new issue provides tips for better barbecuing to help avoid pathogens and the development of health-hazardous substances which might sully festive gatherings. In an interview with BfR2GO, Dr Inge Paulini, the President of the German Federal Office for Radiation Protection, explains that while sunscreen offers protection against skin cancer-causing UV radiation, other measures are more important.
The article “Exposed” illuminates the concept of: the degree to which the human organism is exposed to a potentially hazardous substance – via food intake, inhalation or through the skin – is a major factor in the associated health risk. Additionally, the new issue of BfR2GO takes a look at chili, a spicy risk, as well as at the undesired health effects which may arise from flavouring substances in e-cigarette liquids. Further topics include miniature organ replicas meant to eventually replace animal experiments, foodborne diseases and their increasing prevalence due to climate change, and the intake of substances potentially hazardous to health through the use of period products or the consumption of beverages from PET bottles.
As always, the BfR2GO Science Magazine is compact and knowledge-packed and provides up-to-date and well-founded information about research and the assessment of this research in consumer health protection and for the protection of laboratory animals. Each issue of BfR2GO presents an issue related to one of the BfR’s current fields of work as the main topic. It additionally includes reports, interviews, and news from all of the BfR’s areas of work.
The magazine is published on the BfR website in both German and English and can be downloaded there for free. Anyone who wishes to receive future issues of BfR2GO can subscribe for free at:
https://www.bfr.bund.de/en/publications/bfr2go/
About the BfR
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) is a scientifically independent public health institute within the portfolio of the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH). It provides advice to the Federal Government as well as the Federal States (‘Laender’) on questions related to food, feed, chemical and product safety. The BfR conducts its own research on topics closely related to its assessment tasks.
This text version is a translation of the original German text, which is the only legally binding version.