Children and chemical substances in their diet

In 2006 a national food consumption survey was conducted commissioned by the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport. This food consumption survey was focused on the intake of food by young children. RIVM (National Institute of Public Health and the Environment) and RIKILT-Institute for Food Safety will use the data to calculate the exposure of children to a number of chemical substances (contaminants) and to analyse whether the exposure complies with health-based guidelines

Multi-annual programme Office for Risk Assessment VWA

Work programme for research and advice for the period 2007-201

Statement of the Food and Consumers Product Safety Authority (VWA) to investigate possible health effects of nano-silica particles in food

Studies have shown that the dimensions of 33% of the silica particles added to food (E551) are such that they can be considered nano-silica particles. Little is known about the health effects of nano-silica particle intake. The Office for Risk Assessment and Research of the Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority has commissioned further research in this area

Opinion on the safety of orally ingested probiotics

There are currently no indications that the regular consumption of probiotics by healthy people involves risks. The outcome of the PROPATRIA project into the effect of probiotics in patients with pancreatitis is no reason to change this position. Vulnerable groups such as people with a seriously weakened immune system or severe intestinal disorders should exercise caution when using probiotics. The effects of probiotics in pregnant women and the long-term effects in infants are not sufficiently examined to judge the safety. Therefore, research into possible risks of the use of probiotics by very young children and pregnant women is necessary. The probiotic strains that are on the market usually have a ‘history of safe use’ and are not formally evaluated for safety. A safety assessment under the existing regulations is required for all new strains and known strains that are used as components of new products meant for consumption by vulnerable groups

Recommendation on ragwort in animal feed

Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) contains substances known as alkaloids which can be harmful to the animals that eat it. As a result, there is public concern about the toxicity of ragwort. Horses in particular can be affected. Due to the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality’s involvement in Dutch horse management, we conducted a study into the toxicity levels of this and other toxic plants used in animal feed. The results were then used to assess the health risks of these feeds for horses

Advisory report on dietary nitrate

The director of the Office for Risk Assessment & Research (BuRO) of the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) was asked by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport to assess the safety of nitrate and nitrite intake. Based on the outcome of this assessment, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre will then be able to review its recommendations

Recommendation on temperature control for transport of foodstuffs by sea

The transport of foodstuffs by sea does not compromise food safety. But retemperature is an issue. Customs inspectors performing material checks are able to check on-site temperatures only. They do not have the time or expertise to establish temperature variations that might have taken place during transport, unless it concerns a deep-frozen batch that has been thawed. Agreements with the industry on reporting temperature changes may prove an effective solution to the problems the EU is experiencing in enforcing its regulations. Temperature standards that lost their legal status in the most recent law revisions should preferably be reinstated

Recommendation on the feeding of undercooked dairy (by)products

Under Commission Regulation (EC) no 79/2005 dairy products that have been insufficiently (heat) treated or that have not been (heat) treated to kill pathogens may only be transported from the originating farm to a restricted number of authorised farms. Authorisation is based on a risk assessment. The Department of Food Quality and Animal Health of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality has requested the Office for Risk Assessment of the Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority to draw up this recommendation on the basis of a risk assessment carried out by the Central Veterinary Institute

Summary VWA incident and crisis management manual version 3.0.

VWA incident and crisis management manual version 3.0. English summar