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Free-living pathogenic amoebae of the species Naegleria fowleri ( N. fowleri ) are responsible for primary amoebic meningo-encephalitis. A small number of cases of the disease, a severe infection with a 95% fatality rate, have been reported worldwide. In 2008, a 9-year-old boy died following an attack of acute meningitis after bathing and diving in a pool supplied by a hot water spring in Guadeloupe in which N. fowleri was found. Microbiological tests on a sample of cerebrospinal fluid from the child detected the presence of N. fowleri . In this context, ANSES was asked by the Ministry of Health to assess the health risks of the presence of N. fowleri amoebae in bathing water. The Agency published today the opinion and expert assessment report concerning this request, indicating that the health risk of the presence of N. fowleri amoebae in bathing water is low since cases of infection are rare, and issued recommendations in order to limit possible risks of exposure.

By conducting its Total Diet Studies (TDS), ANSES is able to monitor the exposure of various population groups to the chemicals found in foods. In addition, it conducts national consumption surveys (INCA surveys) to gather information on the population's eating habits. In order to gain a better understanding of the chemicals to which the French population is exposed through food according to the region of residence, the results of the second round of each of these studies (TDS 2 and INCA 2) have been cross-analysed. The data published today is an analysis of the possible inter-regional differences in exposure to a dozen different substances (including dioxins, PCBs, acrylamide, lead and arsenic) for which a health risk due to food contamination could not be excluded. This data shows that exposure to the chemical compounds under examination does not vary greatly between the different inter-regional areas of France.

"Red yeast rice" is used in many food supplements claiming to "maintain a normal level of cholesterol". ANSES received 25 reports of adverse reactions (mostly muscle and liver damage) likely to be linked to consumption of this type of food supplement. In light of this, ANSES considers that use of food supplements containing red yeast rice may expose consumers - especially those who are particularly vulnerable due to genetic predispositions, pathologies, ongoing treatments, etc. - to health risks. Today, the Agency launches a consultation of its opinion with various stakeholders and European health agencies. It emphasises that these products must not be used by patients taking statin-based medications, nor by those who had to stop taking statin-based medications due to adverse reactions ("statin-intolerant" patients). Vulnerable individuals (pregnant or breastfeeding women, children and adolescents, people over the age of 70 or suffering from certain pathologies, people who consume large amounts of grapefruit, etc.) should also avoid taking these supplements. ANSES recommends that individuals falling into these categories contact a healthcare professional before consuming these products.