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28/11/2019 —
News

Lubrizol: ANSES's recommendations for establishing long-term surveillance of foodstuffs

Following the fire at the Lubrizol plant, the authorities established two management phases to control the risks of exposure via food. In the first phase, samples were taken to identify contaminants likely to have come from the fire in foodstuffs under the path of the smoke plume, and to measure their levels. This covered both human food and animal feed. The opinions subsequently formulated by ANSES on the basis of the analyses received did not find any contamination levels that could lead to increased risks of dietary exposure in the short term.
VrTH
28/11/2019 —
News

Use of herbicide-tolerant varieties in France

Herbicide-tolerant varieties (HTVs) are crop varieties that have been developed to be tolerant to a specific herbicide. Given their expansion in France over the past ten years, particularly for sunflower and rapeseed crops, and in response to public concerns, ANSES has reviewed the use of these plant varieties. Like all crop seeds in France, HTVs are not subject to a risk assessment before being placed on the market, and to date, the monitoring of such seeds is not required. ANSES has worked on collecting as much data as possible on the uses of HTVs in France and on gathering the respective views of a variety of stakeholders in order to conduct a review of the status of HTVs. After studying agricultural practices, ANSES confirms that weeds are at risk of developing resistance to herbicides and that there is a chance that the use of herbicides could ultimately increase, as already shown in the 2011 collective expert report by INRA and CNRS. ANSES also emphasises the lack of traceability in the use of such seeds, which hinders the assessment of their agricultural and health impacts. ANSES thus recommends setting up a scheme to monitor any adverse effects due to HTVs.
Compléments Alimentaires
25/11/2019 —
News

Use of berberine-containing plants in food supplements

Berberine-containing plants are used in food supplements primarily to regulate blood glucose and cholesterol levels, although no health claims are authorised at European level. To identify conditions likely to ensure the safety of use of these food supplements, ANSES examined the health effects and especially the toxicological profile of berberine. Following its expert appraisal, the Agency confirms that proven pharmacological effects occur from the dose of 400 mg/day in adults but does not rule out the possibility of lower doses also causing such effects. Therefore, the Agency recommends undertaking further studies to identify the minimum dose associated with pharmacological effects, to provide a basis for defining the regulations applicable to berberine-containing products. However, in light of the available toxicological data and the concentrations observed in the identified supplements, the safety of use of these food supplements cannot currently be guaranteed. Thus, ANSES advises certain population groups, including children and adolescents, pregnant and breastfeeding women and certain vulnerable populations, to refrain from consuming berberine-containing food supplements. The Agency also draws the attention of healthcare professionals to berberine's ability to interact with numerous drugs, which could compromise the efficacy of certain treatments.
Antibiorésistance
21/11/2019 —
News

ANSES's work in monitoring antimicrobial resistance in animal health

To mark World Antibiotic Awareness Week and European Antibiotic Awareness Day, ANSES is publishing two reports reviewing the situation regarding antimicrobial resistance in animal health in 2018, and is participating in the interministerial symposium on 20 November entitled "Antibiotics are precious, let's use them more carefull y". The Agency is actively involved in the topic of antimicrobial resistance in animal health and in the food chain. Its research, reference, surveillance and risk assessment activities contribute to a greater understanding of the risks associated with antimicrobial resistance in the fields of livestock farming, food and the environment. This is part of an integrated approach across all types of medicine, according to the "One Health" concept covering both humans and animals.
20/11/2019 —
News

Changes in the use of food additives in processed products

ANSES is today publishing a review of the use of additives in processed foods available on the French market, as part of the OQALI food observatory operated jointly by ANSES and INRA. Using data collected on more than 30,000 products, this study has also revealed changes in the presence of additives in food. While the majority of products contain at least one additive, they are used to a greater degree in certain food categories. In general, there has been a decrease in the use of the most common additives; only four of the 46 most frequently found food additives have increased for specific uses. These results will help better assess consumer exposure to these substances.
19/11/2019 —
News

A new three-year term for Manuelle Vertot, ANSES's Ethics Officer

Manuelle Vertot, Ethics Officer at ANSES, has been reappointed for a new three-year term by decision of the Director General, Roger Genet. Manuelle Vertot was first appointed Ethics Officer in 2016. The Agency is restating its confidence in her in view of what she has accomplished during her first term.
PNREST
08/11/2019 —
News

National Research Programme on Environmental and Occupational Health: calls for research projects issued for 2020

Today, ANSES is issuing its annual calls for research projects as part of the National Research Programme on Environmental and Occupational Health. The 2020 edition of this programme will include two calls for projects with total funding of around 7 million euros: a general one on the themes of environmental and occupational health, which includes a budget of 2 million euros devoted to the topic of endocrine disruptors, and a second specific one on the theme of radiofrequencies and health.
Fongicides
08/11/2019 —
News

SDHI update

Following the publication on 7 November of an article in the scientific journal PLOS One on the toxicity of SDHI fungicides to cells cultured in vitro, ANSES points out that it is continuing its work on the potential health effects of these substances under real conditions of exposure, in cooperation with other scientific research and expert appraisal organisations.
Poudre Nourrissons
07/11/2019 —
News

ANSES's recommendations on improving the control of microbiological hazards in powdered infant formula

Following the 2017 salmonellosis outbreak associated with the consumption of powdered infant formula, ANSES was asked to assess the hygiene, surveillance and control measures implemented in the manufacturing sector for these products, in order to improve the control of microbiological hazards. Following its expert appraisal, the Agency reiterates the importance of rigorously applying general hygiene measures to prevent contamination of formula. It also underlines the need to strengthen environmental monitoring of production sites and proposes some operational tools for this purpose. Lastly, the Agency recommends that the industry develop a guide to good hygiene practices and HACCP principles for this industrial sector.

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