BfR - Department 5: Food Safety (BfR - LMS)
The Food Safety Department assesses the substance risks from food. The substances for assessment may be contained naturally as ingredients in food or may be admixed to food as additives or flavourings. Undesirable substances, which reach food during manufacturing, storage or treatment processes, are also evaluated. The Department likewise assesses foods on the basis of nutritional-medical criteria. In this context, infant formula plays an important role. The Department voices its opinion on food risks and nutritional prevention. Another major area of the Department’s work is the elaboration of opinions in the field of novel foods and genetically manufactured food and feed. In the Department modern molecular and cell biological methods are developed and used in order to identify new biological endpoints for the risk assessment of potentially risky substances. Furthermore, innovative detection methods and strategies/methods for the molecular traceability and product identity of food are developed and applied. The Department is actively engaged in research in the field of molecular and biochemical food safety. It seeks to identify the mechanisms of action with a view to elaborating concrete management options for consumer protection. The Department supports the following BfR Committees: 'Nutrition, Dietetic Products, Novel Foods and Allergies', 'Genetically Modified Food and Feed', and 'Food additives, Flavourings and Processing Aids'.
Parent institution:
Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) Details of BfR
Address
BfR - Department 5: Food Safety (BfR - LMS)
Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10
10589 Berlin
Berlin
Phone: +49-(0)30-18412-3747
Fax: +49-(0)30-18412-3685
email: 5(@)bfr.bund.de
Activities:
- Research
Focus of Research:
- Development and validation of new molecular biological approaches to the tracing of food allergens and associated proteins in animal feed
- Development of effect-related cell-based assay systems for impact-oriented analysis
- Molecular mechanisms of food- and nutrition-toxicologically relevant substances (including nanoparticles) in people with a focus on the identification of novel molecular biomarkers using proteomics and transcriptomics techniques
- Study the absorption of food contaminants in the gastrointestinal barrier
Coordinated projects
- Absorption and safety of nanoscale phytosterol formulations Details of Absorption and safety of nanoscale phytosterol formulations
- Analysis and occurrence of important fusarium toxins (deoxynivalenol, zearalenone) as well as intake of these toxins by the German consumer Details of Analysis and occurrence of important fusarium toxins (deoxynivalenol, zearalenone) as well as intake of these toxins by the German consumer
- Analysis of commercial Isoflavone Supplements Details of Analysis of commercial Isoflavone Supplements
- Analysis of commercial Isoflavone Supplements Details of Analysis of commercial Isoflavone Supplements
- Analysis of effects from trans-fatty acids on miRNA expression profiles of human colon cells Details of Analysis of effects from trans-fatty acids on miRNA expression profiles of human colon cells
- Bioavailability of 3-MCPD and 3-MCPD fatty acid esters Details of Bioavailability of 3-MCPD and 3-MCPD fatty acid esters
- Bioavailability of coumarin from cinnamon and cinnamon-containing food (human study) Details of Bioavailability of coumarin from cinnamon and cinnamon-containing food (human study)
- Bioavailability of cyanide from marzipan (human study) Details of Bioavailability of cyanide from marzipan (human study)
- Breastfeeding behaviour of women after delivery in Berlin hospitals Details of Breastfeeding behaviour of women after delivery in Berlin hospitals
- Carry over of DNA from genetically modified feed in tissue of farm animals: long-term study in quail over fifteen generations Details of Carry over of DNA from genetically modified feed in tissue of farm animals: long-term study in quail over fifteen generations
- Collaborative project: Development of innovative rapid test and screening methods for on-site detection of food-borne allergens in product development and control – Subproject 1 Details of Collaborative project: Development of innovative rapid test and screening methods for on-site detection of food-borne allergens in product development and control – Subproject 1
- Comparison of the allergenic potential of produce of plant origin derived from organic farming with plant produce derived from conventional farming Details of Comparison of the allergenic potential of produce of plant origin derived from organic farming with plant produce derived from conventional farming
- Content of dioxins and dioxin like PCBs in cod liver and corresponding cod muscle from different fishing grounds of the Baltic Sea and the North Atlantic Details of Content of dioxins and dioxin like PCBs in cod liver and corresponding cod muscle from different fishing grounds of the Baltic Sea and the North Atlantic
- Detection of Allergens in food: a comparative study on DNA-analytical and immunological methods Details of Detection of Allergens in food: a comparative study on DNA-analytical and immunological methods
- Determination of coumarin in different food samples Details of Determination of coumarin in different food samples
- Determination of furan fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acids in food Details of Determination of furan fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acids in food
- Determination of heterocyclic aromatic amines in food Details of Determination of heterocyclic aromatic amines in food
- Determination of pyrrolizidin alkaloids in milk and milk products – Carry Over Study Details of Determination of pyrrolizidin alkaloids in milk and milk products – Carry Over Study
- Determination of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in honey Details of Determination of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in honey
- Determination of the bovine somatotropin using HPLC and mass spectrometry Details of Determination of the bovine somatotropin using HPLC and mass spectrometry
- Determination of the exposition of consumers with residues of malachite green and leucomalachite green from eels accounting for the background contamination in aquatic systems Details of Determination of the exposition of consumers with residues of malachite green and leucomalachite green from eels accounting for the background contamination in aquatic systems
- Determination of the isomerization and oxidation products from long-chain, polyunsaturated conjugated fatty acids in novel oils from the marine micro-alga Details of Determination of the isomerization and oxidation products from long-chain, polyunsaturated conjugated fatty acids in novel oils from the marine micro-alga
- Determination of the origin of hormones in cattle by Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (ISOSTER Details of Determination of the origin of hormones in cattle by Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (ISOSTER
- Determining the origin of the growth hormone with isotope ratio monitoring LC / MS (irm-LC/MS) Details of Determining the origin of the growth hormone with isotope ratio monitoring LC / MS (irm-LC/MS)
- Development of a hepatic in vitro test system for the sensitive detection of pyrrolizidine alka-loids Details of Development of a hepatic in vitro test system for the sensitive detection of pyrrolizidine alka-loids
- Development of a Method for the Detection/Determination of Ciguatoxins Details of Development of a Method for the Detection/Determination of Ciguatoxins
- Development of a qualitative detection method for foods/feeds derived from gene technology – elimination of the PCR step as the 'bottleneck' of the detection procedure Details of Development of a qualitative detection method for foods/feeds derived from gene technology – elimination of the PCR step as the 'bottleneck' of the detection procedure
- Development of analytical methods and evaluation of the consumer‘s risk by furan and similar toxicants Details of Development of analytical methods and evaluation of the consumer‘s risk by furan and similar toxicants
- Development of calibration standards for qualitative and quantitative detection of genetically modified ingredients under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 Details of Development of calibration standards for qualitative and quantitative detection of genetically modified ingredients under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003
- Development of clean-up procedures for food samples as preparation of GC/C/IRMS measurements Details of Development of clean-up procedures for food samples as preparation of GC/C/IRMS measurements
- Development of methods for the determination of ergot alkaloids including monitoring in food and feed Details of Development of methods for the determination of ergot alkaloids including monitoring in food and feed
- Development of new methods for the identification of animal proteins in feedingstuff. Real-time immuno-PCR for the detection of animal bone and tissue marker 2010: Validation of an immunological method for the detection of Osteocalcin representing a stable bone tissue marker in Meat and Bone Meal (MBM) Details of Development of new methods for the identification of animal proteins in feedingstuff. Real-time immuno-PCR for the detection of animal bone and tissue marker 2010: Validation of an immunological method for the detection of Osteocalcin representing a stable bone tissue marker in Meat and Bone Meal (MBM)
- Development of NMR-methods for quantification of wine compounds Details of Development of NMR-methods for quantification of wine compounds
- Development of quantitative and qualitative molecular biological methods to identify plant and animal species in foods (MolSpec-ID) Details of Development of quantitative and qualitative molecular biological methods to identify plant and animal species in foods (MolSpec-ID)
- Development of sample clean-up procedures preparing GC-C-IRMS measuremens of residues and contaminants in food Details of Development of sample clean-up procedures preparing GC-C-IRMS measuremens of residues and contaminants in food
- Dietary trans-fatty acids: Role of nuclear receptors in risk evaluation of trans-fatty acids with regard to their effects in colorectal cancer Details of Dietary trans-fatty acids: Role of nuclear receptors in risk evaluation of trans-fatty acids with regard to their effects in colorectal cancer
- Differential expression of glutathione-S-transferases in Caco-2 cell line as indicator of the effects of phytochemicals Details of Differential expression of glutathione-S-transferases in Caco-2 cell line as indicator of the effects of phytochemicals
- Differentiation of herring, cod and flounder populations from different fishing grounds of the Baltic Sea and the North Atlantic by DNA-analysis Details of Differentiation of herring, cod and flounder populations from different fishing grounds of the Baltic Sea and the North Atlantic by DNA-analysis
- Effect of folate oversupplementation on the methylation status of tumour suppressor genes in immortalized human colon epithelial cells. Details of Effect of folate oversupplementation on the methylation status of tumour suppressor genes in immortalized human colon epithelial cells.
- Effect of folate oversupplementation on the proliferation and the expression of relevant genes in colon carcinoma cells Details of Effect of folate oversupplementation on the proliferation and the expression of relevant genes in colon carcinoma cells
- Effect of plant sterols star on the protein pattern in blood mononuclear cells of healthy women Details of Effect of plant sterols star on the protein pattern in blood mononuclear cells of healthy women
- Effects of different dietary Se-sources for cows on Se-bioavailability from their milk Details of Effects of different dietary Se-sources for cows on Se-bioavailability from their milk
- Effects of High Pressure Treatment on fat and pathogens Details of Effects of High Pressure Treatment on fat and pathogens
- Effects of natural occuring fatty acids on the bioavailability and the metabolism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by taking the example of benzo[a]pyrene Details of Effects of natural occuring fatty acids on the bioavailability and the metabolism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by taking the example of benzo[a]pyrene
- Elaboration of an analytical method for the determination of residues of hexogene and other explosives in fish Details of Elaboration of an analytical method for the determination of residues of hexogene and other explosives in fish
- Elaboration of prerequisites for an expertise about the exposition of consumers with fusarium toxins Details of Elaboration of prerequisites for an expertise about the exposition of consumers with fusarium toxins
- Establishing of a wine data bank for analytical parameters for wines from Third Countries (WINE DB) Details of Establishing of a wine data bank for analytical parameters for wines from Third Countries (WINE DB)
- Evaluating the impact of treatment using pulsed electric fields Details of Evaluating the impact of treatment using pulsed electric fields
- Evidence of a possible formation of benzene from benzoic acid in beverages Details of Evidence of a possible formation of benzene from benzoic acid in beverages
- Extension of an animal study on bioavailability and metabolisation of 3-MCPD esters Details of Extension of an animal study on bioavailability and metabolisation of 3-MCPD esters
- Fatty acids as endocrine disruptors: Influence of chain length, branched chains and multiple bonds of fatty acids on the activity of the estrogen receptors ER-Alpha and ER-Beta Details of Fatty acids as endocrine disruptors: Influence of chain length, branched chains and multiple bonds of fatty acids on the activity of the estrogen receptors ER-Alpha and ER-Beta
- Gene expression profiling to elucidate the cancerogenic effects of breakdown products of 1-Methoxyindol-3-methylglucosinolates (MIM-GL) from Brassica vegetables Details of Gene expression profiling to elucidate the cancerogenic effects of breakdown products of 1-Methoxyindol-3-methylglucosinolates (MIM-GL) from Brassica vegetables
- Genotoxicity of flavouring substances Details of Genotoxicity of flavouring substances
- GM (genetically modified) and non-GM supply chains: their co-existence and traceability (Co-Extra) Details of GM (genetically modified) and non-GM supply chains: their co-existence and traceability (Co-Extra)
- GM and non-GM supply chains: their CO-Existence and Traceability (Co-Extra) Details of GM and non-GM supply chains: their CO-Existence and Traceability (Co-Extra)
- Haemoglobin adducts of glycidol as marker of exposure of glycidol fatty acid esters:Development of methods and human trial Details of Haemoglobin adducts of glycidol as marker of exposure of glycidol fatty acid esters:Development of methods and human trial
- Hydrolysis of flavouring substances Details of Hydrolysis of flavouring substances
- Identification and assessment of potential risks in the course of production or manufacturing processes for food that can lead to a potential accumulation of residues of contaminants or undesirable substances in co- or by-products Details of Identification and assessment of potential risks in the course of production or manufacturing processes for food that can lead to a potential accumulation of residues of contaminants or undesirable substances in co- or by-products
- Identification of new molecular proteomic biomarker for the risk assessment of food related compounds; heat-tox products as important example (furan fatty acids and 3-MCPD) Details of Identification of new molecular proteomic biomarker for the risk assessment of food related compounds; heat-tox products as important example (furan fatty acids and 3-MCPD)
- Identification of proteins from spots of gel electrophoresis using mass spectrometry Details of Identification of proteins from spots of gel electrophoresis using mass spectrometry
- Identification of proteomic biomarkers in human after exposure to furan fatty acids Details of Identification of proteomic biomarkers in human after exposure to furan fatty acids
- Impact of the carbon chain length of perfluor carbonic acids toxicity and molecular charac-terisation of the hepatotoxic effects of PFOA on the proteomic level Details of Impact of the carbon chain length of perfluor carbonic acids toxicity and molecular charac-terisation of the hepatotoxic effects of PFOA on the proteomic level
- Influence of endocrine disruptors using the example of soy isoflavones on the transformationof multipotent progenitor cells of the human mammary epithelium Details of Influence of endocrine disruptors using the example of soy isoflavones on the transformationof multipotent progenitor cells of the human mammary epithelium
- Influence of simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) on the intestinal toxicity of silver nanoparticles Details of Influence of simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) on the intestinal toxicity of silver nanoparticles
- Interaction between metabolism and transport of toxicological relevant compounds in the gastrointestinal barrier Details of Interaction between metabolism and transport of toxicological relevant compounds in the gastrointestinal barrier
- Interaction between metabolism and transport of toxicologically relevant compounds in the gastrointestinal barrier Details of Interaction between metabolism and transport of toxicologically relevant compounds in the gastrointestinal barrier
- Interactions of silver-nanoparticles with cellular membrane proteins – influence of the stabilizers to form a protein corona and particle-toxicity Details of Interactions of silver-nanoparticles with cellular membrane proteins – influence of the stabilizers to form a protein corona and particle-toxicity
- Investigation of the consumer exposure with residues of perfluorinated tensides (PFT) occurring in fresh-water fish Details of Investigation of the consumer exposure with residues of perfluorinated tensides (PFT) occurring in fresh-water fish
- Investigation of the origin of nortestosterone in different animals Details of Investigation of the origin of nortestosterone in different animals
- Investigation of the residue behavior of different antibiotics in aqua-cultured shrimps Details of Investigation of the residue behavior of different antibiotics in aqua-cultured shrimps
- Investigation of uptake, accumulation and distribution of malachite green in aquacultured fish Details of Investigation of uptake, accumulation and distribution of malachite green in aquacultured fish
- Investigations in vitro on structure-activity-relationship with respect to a teratogenic potential of flavouring substances Details of Investigations in vitro on structure-activity-relationship with respect to a teratogenic potential of flavouring substances
- Investigations on the use of phytogenic feed additives in animal nutrition Details of Investigations on the use of phytogenic feed additives in animal nutrition
- Joint project: Extraction and characterization of oligogalacturonic acids as well as research on the inhibition of attachment of pathogenic germs and cytotoxins to intestinal cells by means of in vitro test systems Details of Joint project: Extraction and characterization of oligogalacturonic acids as well as research on the inhibition of attachment of pathogenic germs and cytotoxins to intestinal cells by means of in vitro test systems
- Levels of dioxin and dioxin-like PCBs in cod liver and the corresponding cod muscle meat from different fishing areas of the Baltic Sea and North Atlantic Details of Levels of dioxin and dioxin-like PCBs in cod liver and the corresponding cod muscle meat from different fishing areas of the Baltic Sea and North Atlantic
- Marine Biotoxins: Analysis of the toxic effects of okadaic acid metabolites. Follow-up of Development of an in-vitro screening test of marine toxins based on embryonic stem cells Details of Marine Biotoxins: Analysis of the toxic effects of okadaic acid metabolites. Follow-up of Development of an in-vitro screening test of marine toxins based on embryonic stem cells
- Masked mycotoxins: Exposition of the German consumer by Zearalenone-glycosides in food Details of Masked mycotoxins: Exposition of the German consumer by Zearalenone-glycosides in food
- Maximum levels of contaminants in commercial fod intended for infants and young children Details of Maximum levels of contaminants in commercial fod intended for infants and young children
- Molecular characterization of the interaction between perfluoroctanoic acid (PFOA) and the hepatocyte nuclear factor 4alpha (HNF4alpha) Details of Molecular characterization of the interaction between perfluoroctanoic acid (PFOA) and the hepatocyte nuclear factor 4alpha (HNF4alpha)
- Molecular effects of flavonoid quercetin on human primary hepatocytes compared to those in mouse liver Details of Molecular effects of flavonoid quercetin on human primary hepatocytes compared to those in mouse liver
- Molecular mechanisms of furan-mediated liver toxicity Details of Molecular mechanisms of furan-mediated liver toxicity
- Molecular Toxicity of conjugated linoleic acid isomers and branched chain fatty acids; The role of the nuclear receptor PPAR in colon carcinogenesis Details of Molecular Toxicity of conjugated linoleic acid isomers and branched chain fatty acids; The role of the nuclear receptor PPAR in colon carcinogenesis
- Molecularkinetic characterization of the transport and the distribution of the pro-carcinogene Benzo[a]pyrene in vitro and in vivo ? new kinetic data for risk assessment Details of Molecularkinetic characterization of the transport and the distribution of the pro-carcinogene Benzo[a]pyrene in vitro and in vivo ? new kinetic data for risk assessment
- New approaches to the study of food security on the basis of cell culture systems: development of a cell culture model to evaluate the influence of dietary factors on gene expression in colon cells by the example of fatty acids Details of New approaches to the study of food security on the basis of cell culture systems: development of a cell culture model to evaluate the influence of dietary factors on gene expression in colon cells by the example of fatty acids
- Practicability of the certification system concerning the prohibition of the use of genetically modified organisms (GMO) in organic farming Details of Practicability of the certification system concerning the prohibition of the use of genetically modified organisms (GMO) in organic farming
- Pre- and postnatal exposure of mothers and children with perfluorinated substances Details of Pre- and postnatal exposure of mothers and children with perfluorinated substances
- Preparation of Reference Material for the Performance of Proficiency Tests to achieve the Purpose of the Detection of Marine Biotoxins Details of Preparation of Reference Material for the Performance of Proficiency Tests to achieve the Purpose of the Detection of Marine Biotoxins
- Project on the investigation of raw mass/material fluxes of animal fats as well as fat products which (could) be used in animal feeding: Origin, extraction and applications of animal fats with specific considerations of the hygienic aspects for foodstuff Details of Project on the investigation of raw mass/material fluxes of animal fats as well as fat products which (could) be used in animal feeding: Origin, extraction and applications of animal fats with specific considerations of the hygienic aspects for foodstuff
- Proteomic analysis into molecular toxicological effects of nano particles in human intestinal Caco-2 cells Details of Proteomic analysis into molecular toxicological effects of nano particles in human intestinal Caco-2 cells
- Proteomic analysis of effects induced by 3-MCPD and 3-MCPD fatty acid esters in rat liver and kidney Details of Proteomic analysis of effects induced by 3-MCPD and 3-MCPD fatty acid esters in rat liver and kidney
- Proteomic investigations into 2-MCPD and 2-MCPD-distearate-induced effects after 28-days subacute oral treatment in rats Details of Proteomic investigations into 2-MCPD and 2-MCPD-distearate-induced effects after 28-days subacute oral treatment in rats
- Proteomic investigations into silver nanoparticle-induced effects after 28-days subacute oral treatment in rats Details of Proteomic investigations into silver nanoparticle-induced effects after 28-days subacute oral treatment in rats
- Proteomic investigations of carcinogenic effects in primary rat hepatocytes: prevalidation of an in vitro hepatic model for detection of non-genotoxic carcinogens Details of Proteomic investigations of carcinogenic effects in primary rat hepatocytes: prevalidation of an in vitro hepatic model for detection of non-genotoxic carcinogens
- Reporter gene assays in permanent cell lines as screening tools for the detection of food contaminants Details of Reporter gene assays in permanent cell lines as screening tools for the detection of food contaminants
- Species-dependent formation of okadaic acid metabolites in the liver and identification of involved xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes Details of Species-dependent formation of okadaic acid metabolites in the liver and identification of involved xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes
- Studies on the metabolism of azo dyes in clothing textiles and cosmetics: Evidence of azo cleavage by skin bacteria and characterization of metabolites Details of Studies on the metabolism of azo dyes in clothing textiles and cosmetics: Evidence of azo cleavage by skin bacteria and characterization of metabolites
- The influence of different acrylamide concentrations on the transcription of selected genes in cell cultures analyzed by microarrays. Analysis of the biofunctionality of acrylamide Details of The influence of different acrylamide concentrations on the transcription of selected genes in cell cultures analyzed by microarrays. Analysis of the biofunctionality of acrylamide
- The influence of different kinds of Barrique wine production on the content of polycyclic hydrocarbons in wine Details of The influence of different kinds of Barrique wine production on the content of polycyclic hydrocarbons in wine
- TRACE: Delivering Integrated Traceability Systems that will enhance Consumer Confidence in the Authenticity of Food Details of TRACE: Delivering Integrated Traceability Systems that will enhance Consumer Confidence in the Authenticity of Food
- Transfer of iodine from teat disinfectants on teat skin and teat canal Details of Transfer of iodine from teat disinfectants on teat skin and teat canal
- Uptake and cellular localization of nano particles in enterocytes Details of Uptake and cellular localization of nano particles in enterocytes
- Uptake and toxicity of nanoparticles regarding coating and ion release in Caco-2-coculture Details of Uptake and toxicity of nanoparticles regarding coating and ion release in Caco-2-coculture
- Use of hepatic in vitro systems for detection of liver carcinogens by application of toxicogenomics Details of Use of hepatic in vitro systems for detection of liver carcinogens by application of toxicogenomics
- Using NMR-spectroscopy for wine authenticity tests Details of Using NMR-spectroscopy for wine authenticity tests
Involved in research projects:
- Activation of azo dyes to genotoxic metabolites by skin bacteria and studies for skin penetration Details of Activation of azo dyes to genotoxic metabolites by skin bacteria and studies for skin penetration
- Characterization of the barrier function of human reconstructed skin models Details of Characterization of the barrier function of human reconstructed skin models
- Development of methods for cleavage of azo dyes by human skin bacteria in vitro Details of Development of methods for cleavage of azo dyes by human skin bacteria in vitro
- Genetic polymorphisms and variability of cytochrom P450 enzymes Details of Genetic polymorphisms and variability of cytochrom P450 enzymes
- Identification of protein-biomarkers in human- and mouse-plasma after exposure to Dioxin. Details of Identification of protein-biomarkers in human- and mouse-plasma after exposure to Dioxin.


