Unit Residues

Unit 81 assesses health risks for consumers arising from:

• Residues of pharmacologically active substances in food products of animal origin
• Food products contaminated with dioxins and PCBs

The health assessments are prepared on the basis of Regulation (EU) No. 37/2010 on pharmacologically active substances and their classification regarding maximum residue limits in foodstuffs of animal origin, the German Contaminants Regulation (KmV) and the EU Contaminants Regulation (Regulation (EC) No. 1881/2006).

Unit 81 also operates the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for Dioxins and PCBs in Food and Feed, which serves as a link between the Reference Laboratory of the European Union (EURL) and the institutions in the German states responsible for food monitoring.

The Unit develops analytical methods for the detection of substances in food and feed in the areas of trace analysis of dioxins and PCBs as well as veterinary drugs.

The staff of the Unit are involved in the work of various national bodies.

The Unit is supported in its work by the BfR Committee for Pharmacologically Active Substances and Veterinary Drugs.