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BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment MEAL Study: What's in your food?

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BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment MEAL Study: What's in your food? This version has been revised and compared to the version of 20 October 2016

The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment MEAL Study (Meals for Assessment and Analysis of Food) is the first large-scale study in Germany which analyses the average concentrations of substances contained in prepared foods and the health risks that can arise during the processing and preparation of these foods. The study covers more than 90 per cent of the total German diet and analyses the foods as they are typically consumed by the population living in Germany. 

The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment MEAL Study is the first Total Diet Study (TDS) for Germany. Total Diet Studies are currently being conducted in more than 50 countries worldwide. In 2015, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment) was commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMELshort forGerman Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture) to conduct the first TDS for Germany. While the experimental part of the study (field phase) has been completed, the study results are currently being evaluated and published.

In addition to other data, the results of the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment MEAL Study serve as a basis for identifying possible health risks associated with the consumption of foods. Thus, consumption recommendations can be derived from the MEAL data. The MEAL data also form an important data basis for comparing concentrations in the event of a food crisis the concentrations of undesirable substances can be assessed quickly and reliably.

Frequently asked questions on the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment MEAL Study

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