Frequently asked questions on the BfR MEAL Study
BfR FAQ, 20 October 2016
For the first time, the BfR MEAL Study (Mahlzeiten für die Expositionsschätzung und Analytik von Lebensmitteln - "meals for exposure assessment and analysis of foods") investigates the average concentrations of certain substances in food in Germany on a large scale and assesses the potential risks occurring during the processing and preparation of foods. The study covers over 90 percent of all foods in Germany and analyses the meals as they are typically consumed in German households.
The BfR MEAL Study is the first Total Diet Study (TDS) for Germany. Total Diet Studies are currently being conducted in over 50 countries around the world. The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) was commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) to conduct the first TDS for Germany, starting with the preparatory phase in 2015.
Among other things, the results of the BfR MEAL Study will also serve as a basis for the identification of potential risks arising from the consumption of foods. The data can be used to derive recommendations for consumption and also provide an important basis for comparison, allowing the rapid and reliable assessment of levels of undesirable substances occurring in the event of a crisis.