Press Area

In Europe, the sharp decrease in cases of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) has led to an easing of the restrictions on the use of products of animal origin in the feed of food-producing species. In the expert appraisal it recently published, ANSES concluded that ruminant fat, gelatine and collagen should only be used in certain conditions, in order to guarantee the absence of any risk of transmitting TSEs.

More than one in three French people recycle their waste in garden or community composters. In addition to putting vegetable peels and scraps in them, some people add plastic waste, in particular “biodegradable” or “compostable” single-use plastic bags. And yet the total degradation of such plastics is not guaranteed in these composters, which means that use of the resulting compost can pose a risk to humans and the environment. ANSES therefore recommends not placing any plastics in garden composters.

To mark World Antibiotic Awareness Week, ANSES is presenting its annual reports on sales of veterinary medicinal products and on the level of resistance of pathogenic bacteria in animals. It is also providing an update on its monitoring of resistance in bacteria that can contaminate humans via food of animal origin, conducted as part of monitoring plans that have been harmonised at European level.

Applications of radiofrequency communication technologies have developed considerably over the last 20 years and now include the mobile web, contactless authentication, connected objects, and more. In a context where uses of these technologies, the conditions of exposure and the frequencies used are rapidly changing, and given the disorders and symptoms that have been attributed to them, the research community continues to be highly active in this area, regularly producing new knowledge on the human health effects of radio waves.

Insecticides, hand sanitiser gels, rodent baits and surface disinfectants belong to a class of products called biocides that are part of our everyday lives. In order to reduce their impact on human and animal health and the environment, the French EGAlim Act provides for a ban on self-service sales of certain products to the general public. In this context, ANSES was tasked with defining criteria to determine which categories of biocidal products deserve special attention and restrictions on access. These products would nonetheless remain available for purchase under conditions to be defined by the authorities.

With the arrival of cooler temperatures, ANSES is drawing attention to the risks associated with the use of certain appliances (barbecues, braziers, power generators) that are not intended to heat indoor spaces. The use of these appliances can lead to serious or even fatal carbon monoxide poisoning.

In aphids of the species Myzus persicae , there is a low rate of gene flow for insecticide resistance between the populations that colonise different plant species. This discovery made by scientists from ANSES, INRAE and the University of Montpellier may lead to a new approach to the strategies implemented to control the development of resistance to these pesticides.

During the recent fuel shortage, the number of cases of poisoning caused by siphoning increased five-fold. To avoid accidents, ANSES and the French poison control centres strongly discourage this practice.