Tasks and public perception of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment

• Published in: Bundesgesundheitsblatt, Gesundheitsforschung, Gesundheitsschutz Vol. 52; no. 12; pp. 1179 - 1187
• Main Authors: Böl, G-F, Hensel, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: German
• Published: Germany 01.12.2009
• Subjects: Academies and Institutes - organization & administration; Germany; Government Agencies - organization & administration; Organizational Objectives; Public Opinion; Risk Assessment - organization & administration; Germany
• ISSN: 1437-1588
• DOI: 10.1007/s00103-009-0967-5

The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) was founded in 2002. On the basis of internationally accepted scientific criteria for risk assessment, the institute provides opinions and statements on the safety of food and feed, chemicals, commodities and on consumer health protection. In this regard, it gives advice to the Federal Government and other institutes and Stakeholder groups. BfR does its own research on subjects which are close to its remit on risk assessment. By means of its proactive and participative risk communication, the BfR renders science visible to and beneficial for society. The following overview presents the scientific remit of the BfR and the perception of consumer health protection by the public and by interest groups from the areas economics, politics, consumer associations, the media and science by means of a representative survey. Food risks are of high individual importance, especially for consumers. Here a target-specific use of social multipliers is important to interpret the differences between existing health risks and so called perceived risks.