News

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Boisson Energisante
01/10/2013 —
News

So-called energy drinks: ANSES warns against dangerous consumption patterns

So-called energy drinks are sodas fortified with substances that are already present in food (caffeine, taurine, vitamins, etc.) and whose principal common factor is their caffeine content (on average the equivalent of two espresso coffees). Because of their composition, these beverages have a stimulating effect which, when associated with certain other behaviours (alcohol consumption, sport, etc.), can give rise to serious cardiac accidents in consumers with common genetic predispositions which frequently go undiagnosed (1 individual in 1000). ANSES therefore recommends avoiding the consumption of so-called energy drinks in association with alcohol or during physical exercise. Considering the consumption practices observed, it also calls for action to be taken to regulate the advertising of these beverages to vulnerable population groups (children and adolescents) and in contexts where consumption can be hazardous (festive and sporting events, for instance). The Agency also calls on the entire population to moderate its consumption of caffeinated beverages, especially in the case of children, adolescents, pregnant women and nursing mothers.
Dosettes café
25/09/2013 —
News

"Espresso" machine coffee pods and capsules do not increase exposure to chemical contaminants

In the context of a partnership with the French National Consumers Institute (INC), ANSES has begun a study to compare the levels of various chemical contaminants in coffee prepared using home "espresso" machines with those of traditional drip brew coffee. The results show that these new techniques do not modify the conclusions of previous risk assessments on consumer exposure to chemical contaminants. In fact, levels of the same order of magnitude were measured for all the contaminants studied, and no phthalates or bisphenol A were found.
Bisphenols
19/09/2013 —
News

ECHA puts ANSES's proposal for tougher bisphenol A classification up for public consultation

Bisphenol A is a synthetic chemical which has been in use for over 50 years. Since last year, it has been the subject of a law which aims to ban its use in food containers. The studies conducted by ANSES on the uses and health effects of bisphenol A led to recommendations, issued in September 2011 and in April 2013, to reduce population exposure to it through substitution in materials in contact with foodstuffs. On the European level in the context of the REACh regulation, ANSES proposed in September 2012 a tougher classification for bisphenol A which would list it as toxic for reproduction. The European Chemicals Agency has just put the French proposal up for consultation with the other Member States.
Eau
05/09/2013 —
News

Pesticides in tap water: regional variations do not alter the findings of the national risk assessments

Like other foods, tap water is susceptible to contamination by pesticides. ANSES conducted a dedicated study to assess water’s share in overall dietary exposure to pesticides and the consequences of geographic variability in contamination in terms of risk.This study,conducted in the context of the missions of the French Observatory for Pesticide Residues (ORP), was funded by the French National Agency for Water and Aquatic Environments (ONEMA) as part of the Ecophyto plan. Generally, for the 106 substances examined, this study shows that regional variations in pesticide concentrations in water do not alter the findings of the risk assessments conducted at national level that are known to date, with water’s contribution to overall dietary exposure to pesticides being generally low.
Poissons
16/07/2013 —
News

A summary of the Agency's recommendations for fish and fishery products

Fish and fishery products have valuable nutritional qualities which make them an especially sound food choice. Eating fish twice a week, including one portion of oily fish, is therefore recommended. However, since they are in permanent contact with the environment, the foods made from fish and fishery products may be contaminated by chemicals as well as by certain micro-organisms. The Agency has issued a number of opinions on the assessment of the health risks linked to consumption of these foods as well as their benefits. An opinion summarising all of these recommendations was published today.
Air Intérieur
28/06/2013 —
News

Indoor air guideline values: ANSES proposes two values for acrolein

There are many potential pollutants of indoor air that can have an impact on both health and well-being. Problems may simply be bothersome (olfactive discomfort, sleepiness, eye and skin irritation) or may cause or worsen a number of serious pathologies. To handle the challenges to health posed by indoor air quality and provide the public authorities with matter to help manage this risk, ANSES has been working since 2004 on the establishment of indoor air guideline values (IAGVs). Following the publication in March of proposed IAGVs for nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ANSES today publishes two proposed IAGVs corresponding to short- and long-term exposures to acrolein.
Pesticides
13/06/2013 —
News

Pesticides and health: a major challenge for ANSES

INSERM has just published the results of a collective expert appraisal on "pesticides and health" which it undertook at the request of the French Directorate General for Health (DGS). The term "pesticides" globally covers all the products used for pest control, in other words plant protection products (for agricultural use as well as by professional and amateur gardeners), biocides and certain medicinal products (human or veterinary). This study provides a very thorough summary of the current state of scientific knowledge on the links that may be established between exposure to pesticides and the onset of a pathological condition, and groups them into three categories - high, average and low likelihood -, while specifying the level of understanding of the mechanisms of action at play.
Chenilles processionnaires
14/05/2013 —
News

Controlling pine and oak processionary caterpillars in urban areas: ANSES recommends combining preventive and curative measures

Processionary caterpillars are insects, found in several regions of France, including urban areas, whose proliferation compromises the health of the trees on which they feed. They also have an effect on human and animal health as their urticating bristles cause skin irritations by provoking severe itching and allergic reactions. The Agency today publishes an Opinion indicating that, since insecticides cannot be used in urban areas, the most effective strategy for combating these caterpillars in urban areas involves a combination of preventive methods (planting policies in urban areas, methods for early detection, etc.) and curative methods (caterpillar traps, destruction of their nests, providing nesting boxes for insectivorous birds, etc.). The degree of intervention needs to be modulated to match the frequentation of the areas concerned: methods designed to eradicate the caterpillars in busy areas and to keep them under control in other places.
Eau
13/05/2013 —
News

Drug residues in water: ANSES today publishes a general method for assessing the health risks

For several years now, the health authorities and the scientific community have been investigating the presence of drug residues in water. The Agency has been working on this issue since 2006 and has established a comprehensive approach that is now part of the National Plan on Drug Residues in Water (PNRM) launched in 2011: prioritising the most relevant human and veterinary drugs for screening; developing analytical methods for trace amounts of these substances in water; conducting a national sampling and analysis campaign including screening for more than 40 compounds (whose results were published by the Agency in 2011); developing a risk assessment methodology. As a result of this work, the Agency today published a general method for assessing the health risks associated with these compounds in water intended for human consumption and its application to two drug residues found in trace amounts.

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