Unit Contaminants

The national reference laboratories (NRLs) attached to the Department are coordinated by Unit 82.

Unit 82 operates the National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) for Marine Biotoxins and for Additives in Animal Nutrition, which act as links between the relevant reference laboratories of the European Union (EURLs) and the laboratories of the regional "laender" in Germany active in the monitoring field.

One of the core activities of the Contaminants Unit is the initiation and realisation of research projects, such as the project for the development of detection methods for contaminants or other substances for which there are indications of hazard potential within the framework of early risk detection. Analytical methods are currently being developed and validated for 3-MCPD fatty acid esters and glycidyl fatty acid esters in fats, oils and fatty foods as well as for pyrrolizidine alkaloids in food and feed.

The employees of Unit 82 are involved in the work of various national and international bodies (in accordance with Article 64 of the German Food and Feed Code (LFGB), DIN, CEN, EFSA and CODEX).