Contraceptive pills for female cats and dogs that contain megestrol acetate or medroxyprogesterone acetate (see table below) are effective, provided that users comply with the conditions for their use, particularly the timing during the sexual cycle and the frequency of...

The mission of ANSES's Ethics Officer is to ensure compliance with the Agency's obligations to prevent conflicts of interest and strengthen its ethical framework, in accordance with the provisions of the French Act of 26 January 2016 on the modernisation of the health system.As...

The SABOT UMT (its name comes from the French for Equine health and welfare – sector organisation and traceability) aims to improve knowledge of certain health risks and diseases affecting the equine sector. Set up in early 2022 for a period of five years, it will be organised...

This meeting will allow committee members to exchange on dossiers related to the registration and evaluation of veterinary medicinal products in the European Union.

The conference took place in several parts. The first session made it possible to contextualise the use of plants in veterinary medicine in the European Union and allowed the various stakeholders (farmers, veterinarians and pharmaceutical industries) to share their expectations...

The French agency for veterinary medicinal products (Anses-ANMV) organised with Ansm (French agency for human medicines) the second meeting of Heads of Agency (HMA) from 4 to 6 May. The meeting was held at the Palais du Grand Large in Saint Malo with 90 participants from the...

In partnership with ANSES, the Université Côte d'Azur is pleased to invite you to the 17th annual meeting and 11th conference of HEPA Europe.  The conference is organised jointly with WHO/Europe, in partnership with the City of Nice and the French Public Health Society (SFSP)....

Launched today under the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union, PARC aims to bring together a broad community of research establishments and health agencies to advance research, share knowledge and improve skills in chemical risk assessment. The results of this...

What does PestiRiv involve?As a reminder, the objective of the PestiRiv study is to better understand and shed light on pesticide exposure of people living in wine-growing areas.Why grapevines? In France, these are among the crops most commonly treated with plant protection...

What does the new EU Regulation change in terms of pharmacovigilance?Holders of marketing authorisations (MAs) for veterinary medicinal products were previously required to provide the European Medicines Agency and Member States with a risk-benefit assessment of their medicinal...

Some tick species can transmit viruses, bacteria or parasites to animals and humans. In France, the main human disease associated with ticks is Lyme disease. In the event of infection, a characteristic red "bull's eye" appears on the skin a few days after the bite, usually...

According to data from the CiTIQUE programme, more than a quarter of tick bites occur in private gardens. However, little is known about the factors that influence the presence of ticks in these places, or whether this poses a risk to human health, given that ticks can transmit...

What does the concept of the exposome contribute to the understanding of chronic diseases?Pr Robert Barouki, Professor at Paris University, Research Unit Director at INSERM, and chair of the ANSES Working Group on the ExposomeIf we take the example of cancer, the genetic causes...

Many workers are exposedAccording to the 2017 SUMER survey conducted by the Ministry of Labour, 528,000, that is 2.1% of all French employees, are exposed to welding fumes containing metallic elements. Welders are not the only workers affected. Many other workers may be exposed...

ANSES received a request from the Directorate General for Food to identify and classify the main bacterial hazards associated with the various types of raw-milk cheeses and other dairy products made from raw milk. The aim was also to assess the main sources of contamination and...

Over the last three years, Cronartium pini has affected nearly 800 hectares of forest in the south of the Landes départment. When maritime pines are contaminated by the fungus, it prevents their sap from circulating, killing the trees, especially in young plantations. The...

 Herbicide-tolerant varieties (HTVs) are crop varieties that have been bred to be intentionally tolerant to herbicides. Their use may have consequences on the diversity of weed flora, i.e. the wild plants found among crops and targeted by herbicide treatments, but also on any...

Our clothing and shoes contain dozens, even hundreds of chemicals. Some chemicals, such as dyes, are used intentionally at the time of manufacture. Others are residues or impurities occurring at varying concentrations. The current European regulations cover 12 chemicals and...

The European Union's product databaseThe Union Product Database holds information on all the veterinary medicinal products authorised in the European Union by the European Commission and the competent authorities of the Member States. For each one, it provides access to the...

Serious or even fatal poisoningEach year, the network of French poison control centres records about 250 cases of poisonous plants being mistaken for edible plants.Autumn crocus (Colchicum autumnale) is most often confused with wild garlic (Allium ursinum), and more rarely with...

Adverse effects occurring in small dogs, cats, puppies and kittens have been reported in several European countries following repeated contact with hormone replacement therapy applied to their owner's skin. Most of these cases, affecting both females and males, have involved...

On 4 March, the Participatory Research Award, Crowdsourcing category, was presented to the CiTIQUE programme. This prize was launched by INRAE in 2021, on the initiative of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, to showcase research projects involving both...

The Campylobacter bacterium is the leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in humans in Europe and can sometimes lead to severe complications. It can be transmitted to humans through direct contact with animals, especially poultry, or indirectly through food. It therefore...

ANSES and ACTA have been working together for several years now to anticipate and respond to health issues affecting the crop and livestock sectors. With their renewed partnership, the two organisations are fostering a closer relationship by reinforcing the sharing of data and...

The creation of the “Metabiot: Use of massive data to improve food safety” contracted unit (USC) was made official on 28 February 2022 at the Paris International Agricultural Show, when the agreement to that end was signed by Olivier Faron, General Administrator of the CNAM, and...

Over 200 contributions collectedIn April 2021, ANSES published its opinion and expert appraisal report on the assessment of the health effects associated with the deployment of 5G. Given society’s interest in the topic and in order to collect any additional data, the Agency...

Formaldehyde is a carcinogenic substanceFormaldehyde is a chemical used in many industry sectors, mainly as a disinfectant or biocide, as a preservative in the food industry and embalming, and as a feedstock for producing resins used in the manufacture of wood-based panels and...

Complementing its first opinion issued in 2021 on the ingestion of mussels contaminated by brevetoxins (BTX) in Corsica, the Agency has reviewed other routes of exposure to these marine toxins.Inhalation of contaminated sea spray during microalgae blooms is the main exposure...

Why did you study the effect of paraquat on the development of Parkinson’s disease in Drosophila?Exposure to the herbicide paraquat is known to increase the risk of developing Parkinson's disease. Paraquat has been banned in the European Union since 2007. This study aimed to...

When fulfilling its various missions, ANSES is involved in multiple projects that extend beyond the borders of France. It participates in the work of European and international bodies, where it sometimes represents France. Year after year, it acts as a leading agency to assess...

What is this new regulation and what is its purpose? Portrait JP Orand.PNG Jean-Pierre Orand: Regulation (EU) 2019/6 represents a major step forward in the field of veterinary medicinal products. It aims to harmonise regulations and practices...

By exposing us to bacteria, viruses, parasites and harmful substances, our diet can sometimes make us sick. A diet that is imbalanced or not suited to our lifestyle also poses risks in the short and medium term.What are these risks? How are they changing with production and...

The use of herbal veterinary medicinal products is gaining popularity among farmers and veterinarians. However, the large majority of plants, herbal preparations and essential oils commonly used in veterinary medicine have not been assessed in accordance with the regulations on...

The health crisis we have been experiencing for almost two years now has highlighted the public's growing desire to better understand the health and environmental issues we are all facing. It has also brought to light two conflicting trends: on the one hand, high demand for...

Salmonella and Listeria are two bacteria of animal origin that cause foodborne illnesses in humans. They can persist for several months in natural and agricultural environments, as well as in food processing facilities. In addition, certain strains can resist treatment with...

To fulfil its public expert appraisal tasks in its fields of competence, ANSES relies on collective, independent expert appraisals. For this purpose, the Agency calls on some 800 experts recognised both nationally and internationally for their skills in various scientific...

Electronic cigarettes have been widely adopted by part of the population, yet the health risks potentially associated with the inhalation of the substances emitted by these devices have yet to be assessed in detail. ANSES has drawn up a list of substances to be studied as a...

Monitoring the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater serves to indirectly track the spread of the virus and its variants in the population. "Instead of having to screen several hundred people, we can use a single regular test to find out whether the virus is present in a...

For several years now, two cattle farms in the Loire region have been reporting various disorders in their animals: high mortality, lameness, reduction in milk quality and quantity, udder inflammation, etc. The farmers believe that these problems began in 2012, following the...

Some categories of the population are particularly affectedCurrently, only 5% of adults exercise enough for it to protect their health.In fact, in 2016, ANSES had identified the need to combine various types and levels of activity to stay healthy:five times a week, for 30...

In April 2021, the Canadian authorities removed several models of FFP2 protective masks containing graphene from the market, due to a potential risk of lung effects associated with the inhalation of graphene particles. As these same products had also been distributed in France,...

Exploratory investigationsIn response to the widespread everyday use of surgical masks since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the DGCCRF (Directorate General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control) decided to conduct two sampling campaigns in 2020 and...

ANSES, and in particular its Sophia Antipolis Laboratory, is recognised at national, European and international level for its expertise in bee health. Its research aims to better understand, detect and remedy all the factors threatening bee health.PoshBee, a European project on...

Zootopique, the ANSES podcast with a focus on the future, has won a Grand Prix Stratégies award for communication in the field of healthcare. Set up in partnership with The Conversation and Moustic Studio, the series took silver in the "podcast” category. Launched on the first...

Thirty-three research projects have been selected by ANSES under the 2021 PNR EST. They will receive a total of €6 million in funding. This research will provide new knowledge on environmental risks to human health, in the general population or at work, and to ecosystems.     In...

Two young children have died after accidentally swallowing a rat poison banned in France. ANSES wishes to warn consumers of the danger of these products and to reiterate its recommendations for avoiding accidents. At issue: the presence of a substance that is banned in FranceIn...

A series of questions on the overall context of the trialThe French EGAlim Act established a two-year trial to introduce a vegetarian menu at least once a week in school canteens, starting in November 2019. As an alternative to meat or fish dishes, the vegetarian menu may...

Foreign bodies, particularly metal objects, are sometimes accidentally mixed with cattle feed. Ingestion of metal objects can cause damage to internal organs, which can lead to death in the worst cases. Following a request from the association Robin des Bois, ANSES has just...

During their careers, employees may be exposed simultaneously to a number of sources of stress likely to affect their health in the short or long term. These include night work, exposure to biological agents or chemicals, a lack of resources, or workplace tensions. Taking...

What do we mean by bulk selling?Some products have been sold in bulk – i.e. loose – for many years, including fresh fruit and vegetables or dry products such as cereals, pulses or dried fruit.In France, the AGEC Act of 22 August 2021 on waste control and the circular economy,...

ANSES and the Italian National Institute of Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanità or ISS), Italy's leading public health research organisation, signed a memorandum of understanding on Thursday 18 November 2021. The aim is to strengthen a long-standing scientific partnership...

What is antimicrobial resistance? Jean-Yves Madec: Antimicrobial resistance is the ability of bacteria to resist antibiotics. It is the result of antibiotics being overused in human and veterinary medicine. These resistant bacteria can be transmitted from animals to humans, and...

Nitrous oxide is a gas used in medical applications for pain relief and anaesthesia. It is subject to drug regulations. Used in industry as an oxidiser, it is also found in compressed form in everyday consumer products, such as the cartridges for kitchen siphons. It is therefore...

Mosquito traps are increasingly used in public spaces as a means to prevent mosquito bites and to control mosquito-borne diseases. However, the studies currently available are not sufficient to demonstrate the short-term effectiveness of these traps in preventing the spread of...

ANSES is issuing new calls for projects as part of the National Research Programme for Environmental and Occupational Health (PNR EST). They support research to develop scientific knowledge that is essential for health-related risk assessments and expert appraisals. The 2022...

Certain drinking water pipes are made of asbestos cement. Under some circumstances, therefore, asbestos fibres can be found in drinking water. ANSES has conducted an initial review of the scientific literature to characterise the hazards associated with asbestos ingestion....

The exposome concept arose from the need to gain a better understanding of the health impact of the various exposures of an individual over a lifetime, taking into account environmental exposure to chemical, physical and biological agents on the one hand and socio-economic...

The phytopharmacovigilance scheme that we coordinate, which is specific to France, focuses on the effects of plant protection products and their residues, observed under their actual conditions of use. Ohri Yamada, Head of the Phytopharmacovigilance Unit, gives us an overview of...

 A large part of the rural population in France lives in wine-growing regions. Are these people particularly exposed to the plant protection products used and if so, how? Today, to answer these questions, Santé publique France and ANSES are launching PestiRiv, the first large-...

ANSES and the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), the German Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop their scientific and technical partnership in the fields of animal health, welfare and zoonoses according to a "One...

For six years, the Marco project was dedicated to comprehensive research into marine environments and aquatic products in Hauts-de-France, including marine and coastal ecosystems, marine resources, the quality of seafood products, marine energy, and related socio-economic...

Numerous nanomaterials found in foodIn the food sector, engineered (manufactured) nanomaterials are mainly used:as food additives, to improve a product's appearance and palatability by modifying its structure, colour or texture. For example, titanium dioxide (E171) and silicon...

To facilitate access to calls for projects and research funding, ADEME, the ANR, Inserm – including ANRS | Emerging Infectious Diseases – ANSES and INCa are launching a single portal, appelsprojetsrecherche.fr, for all of their calls for scientific projects. The...

Air pollution peaks have a negative impact on population health, causing short-term increases in the number of hospital admissions for cardiorespiratory issues, and even deaths. To limit these effects, the Agency recommends lowering the information and alert thresholds for...

The substance sodium 3-(allyloxy)-2-hydroxypropanesulphonate, used in adhesives, paints, coatings, resins and water treatment products, can cause severe eye damage and impaired fertility. To better inform consumers and workers and protect their health, ANSES has submitted a...

Monitoring antimicrobial resistance involves sampling bacteria to test their response to different antibiotics. These samples can be taken from healthy animals, i.e. at the slaughterhouse or in meat, or from sick animals, in which case the samples are taken by the vets treating...

Parce que 90 % des espèces végétales à fleurs dépendent uniquement des insectes pollinisateurs pour leur reproduction, le phénomène d'affaiblissement et de mortalité des colonies d'abeilles constaté dans le monde constitue aujourd’hui une préoccupation majeure.La mortalité des...

Observe insects, learn how diseases spread or take a tour around the lab. During France’s Fête de la Science (Science Festival), ANSES scientists reach out to the general public and schoolchildren.  A health pass will be needed for all public events.Protecting farm animals at...

Vitamin D is essential for bone growth in children. To ensure this growth, vitamin D is prescribed in France from the first few days of a baby’s life to prevent rickets, which is a disease of growth and ossification.However, giving your child too much vitamin D can be just as...

Rodents and foxes are the preferred hosts of the Echinococcus multilocularis parasite, but when it accidentally infects humans, it causes alveolar echinococcosis. This disease occurs only rarely, with about 40 new cases a year in France, but it has serious consequences,...

A practice that has been growing since the 2000sIntense pulsed light (IPL) hair removal devices saw rapid growth in the mid-2000s. Whether they are used by professionals – dermatologists, aesthetic doctors, operators acting under the responsibility of doctors, beauty salons – or...

Éric Vial was appointed Risk Assessment Director of ANSES on 2 August 2021. He now coordinates the Agency's scientific expert appraisal activities on the health risks associated with food, the environment and work or affecting animal and plant health. Éric Vial is thus...

The weather conditions in July and August this year have favoured early foraging for wild mushrooms. Many cases of poisoning due to consumption have already been observed. These can be serious (severe digestive disorders, kidney complications or liver damage that may require a...

Summer is normally the honey harvesting season, and is an opportunity for beekeepers to check their hives for American foulbrood. This is the most lethal infectious disease affecting bees. It is caused by the bacterium Paenibacillus larvae, which kills bee larvae as they develop...

African swine fever, the bird flu crisis in duck farms, farm animal well-being, etc. Whether you are a professional in the sector or a private individual, you are invited to discover our work in response to the health challenges of today and tomorrow. 

The swallowing by young children of water beads can cause serious and sometimes fatal accidents. Because the number of cases of ingestion has increased sharply, we are issuing an alert to parents and carers, and reminding them of the importance of keeping these objects out of...

The scientific data available confirm, on the whole, that transmission of SARS-CoV-2 can occur from aerosols containing particles that have retained their infectivity. However, we are unable today to determine the respective contributions of different SARS-CoV-2 transmission...

Used in a wide variety of everyday products (such as food, cosmetics, drugs, etc.), nanomaterials raise many questions about the risks to human health and the environment generated by their presence. The European Union currently defines "nanomaterial" as a material whose size or...

Many professionals – nurses, caregivers, doctors, veterinarians, cleaning staff, etc. – are potentially exposed to cytostatics, which are drugs used in particular during chemotherapy to treat cancer. ANSES is recommending that work involving exposure to 18 cytostatic active...

On 12 July, ANSES and the Republic of Korea’s National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation (NIFDS) signed a new five-year memorandum of understanding in the area of food-related risks, following an initial five-year collaboration.In the Republic of Korea, the NIFDS is...

Cases of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also known as mad cow disease, have become extremely rare in Europe. The European Commission thus envisions allowing Member States to relax the regulation that prohibits the use of animal protein in the feed of farmed animals...

Since May 2018, ANSES has been responsible for conducting scientific expert appraisals prior to the creation or amendment of occupational disease lists or the issuing of recommendations to the regional committees for the recognition of occupational diseases (CRRMPs). As part of...

Nearly 1000 people attended our scientific conference on the impact of microplastics and nanomaterials, organised jointly with the French National Research Agency (ANR) on 20 May. All the day's sessions are available for replay.Microplastics and nanomaterials have some...

When carrying out its health risk assessment mission, ANSES relies on groups of independent experts from various scientific fields. To better evaluate certain health issues, the Agency can be required to take socio-economic aspects into consideration at various stages of its...

Common yew, dieffenbachia, garden angelica… ANSES publishes the list of commercially available plants which can pose a health risk and the precautions to take to avoid poisoning. This information is also available on the plantes-risque.info website. The list of 58 plants posing...

ANSES has launched the ChlorExpo study in Guadeloupe and Martinique. Its aim is to obtain a more accurate picture of the population's level of dietary exposure to chlordecone, guided by the latest knowledge on the risks of exposure to this chemical contaminant. In order to take...

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the recommendation to adopt barrier gestures, the use of alcohol-based gels and solutions to disinfect hands has become part of our daily routine, whenever washing with soap and water is not possible. Is a product still effective if...

Used in gardens and homes or as antiparasitic products for humans and pets, pesticides expose the public to health risks that need to be controlled. In order to better understand the practices and uses of pesticides in the French overseas territories, ANSES conducted the Pesti'...

Virtual and augmented reality are increasingly used in a wide variety of fields including healthcare, training, real estate, safety and leisure. In parallel with this deployment, ANSES decided to take a closer look at the impact of the population's exposure to these emerging...

The health authorities are alerting parents and carers of young children to the risks of swallowing magnetic balls. These accidents can lead to very serious complications.Two serious cases of accidental ingestion of 3 to 5 mm magnetic balls have been reported recently, involving...

Gabrielle BOULEAU is in charge of "public policies, risks and adaptation" at INRAE's EcoSocio Department. Author of a book "Politisation des enjeux écologiques. De la forme au motif environnemental" on the politicisation of environmental issues, she is also responsible for two...

The goal of Valitest was to improve diagnostic tools for plant pests such as bacteria, viruses, nematodes and fungi. This detection is essential for taking measures against these harmful organisms as early as possible, both to limit the damage to plants and avoid their...

As glyphosate's approval in the European Union expires at the end of 2022, any future use requires this herbicidal active substance to undergo a new assessment of the risks to humans and the environment. A group of four rapporteur Member States (France, Hungary, the Netherlands...

Contagious equine metritis is caused by the bacterium Taylorella equigenitalis. In 25 to 30% of infected mares it leads to endometritis, an infection of the uterus which prevents them from bearing young. Males are healthy carriers, but can transmit the bacteria during mating or...

In an update of its 2018 Opinion on alternatives to neonicotinoids, ANSES identified 22 solutions for controlling aphids and yellowing disease in sugar beet crops. These control measures may take over from neonicotinoid products, which have been banned since 2018 but whose use...

On 1 June, Charlotte Grastilleur was appointed Managing Director General in charge of ANSES's Regulated Products Division. She now coordinates the Agency's departments in charge of assessing applications and issuing marketing authorisations for plant protection products,...

ANSES's scientists compiled the results of no fewer than 673 epidemiological studies published before May 2017 (case-control and cohort studies) that had dealt with risk factors for sporadic foodborne infections. This work was undertaken in collaboration with the Polytechnic...

Do you know what microplastics and nanomaterials have in common?Their infinitesimally small size makes these compounds difficult to assess. They are also two topics that we study at ANSES to better understand the hazards they represent. Engineered nanomaterials and plastic have...

"We need to be pragmatic on the issue of nanomaterials: we have to better understand exposure, identify their uses and ask questions about their utility in view of the health risks".Aurélie Niaudet, in charge of assessing the risks associated with physical agents, explains the...

ANSES recently assessed the risks associated with the coumarin content of certain plants when consumed in food supplements in particular. Coumarin is a natural aromatic compound found in certain plants such as cinnamon. It is used in food as a spice or natural flavouring...

After testing the effects of chronic exposure to low doses of glyphosate, either pure or mixed with co-formulants, scientists from the Viral Diseases in Fish Unit  at ANSES’s Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort Laboratory exposed five-month-old trout to a concentration of 500 µg of...

ANSES notes the conclusions of EFSA's re-assessment of titanium dioxide used as a food additive (E171), which confirm the health concerns raised by the Agency in its own 2017 and 2019 assessments. It will now take the data from this new assessment into account in its ongoing...

Between January 2013 and December 2020, ANSES received 137 reports of adverse reactions in rabbits following administration of fipronil-based antiparasitics. Of this total, 66 were considered serious and 33 deaths were reported. These antiparasitics are approved for use in dogs...

Marketing authorisations for veterinary medicinal products are issued for a given animal species. So it is important that each veterinary medicinal product be administered only to the species for which it is intended. Permethrin-based ectoantiparasiticides, for example, are...

Some tick species can transmit viruses, bacteria or parasites to animals and humans. The main human tick-borne disease in France is Lyme disease, caused by a bacterium from the group Borrelia burgdorferi. In the event of infection, a characteristic red "bull's eye" appears on...

Q fever is a disease caused by the Coxiella burnetii bacterium, which affects many animal species, including cattle, sheep and goats, and can be transmitted to humans. The infection of animals has a significant economic impact, as it can lead to abortion. In humans, it is...

The two units bring together staff from the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), the Alfort National Veterinary School (EnvA) and the French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE). They are...

Dietary reference values for each sector of the populationANSES has now finished updating the dietary reference values for the vitamin and mineral intake of the adult population. This information also covers the vitamins and minerals that it was unable to include in 2016. At the...

5G: new 3.5 GHz and 26 GHz bands to increase speed and allow a greater number of connected objects to communicateThe main difference in relation to previous generations of mobile networks is that 5G should be able to handle a far larger amount of data without saturating the...

The seventh Scientific Day of the Institut Santé-Travail Paris-Est will take place on Thursday 18 November 2021. The topic of the day will be "Health, Work & the Healthcare Environment".The day will begin with an introductory conference which will be followed by three theme-...

The degradation of plastic materials and the numerous uses of nanomaterials in everyday products have led to the release of large quantities of micro- and nanoscale particles into the environment. While the use of plastics and manufactured nanomaterials has clear advantages, the...

Endocrine disruptors (EDs) are substances that interfere with the hormonal functions of humans and animals. They lead to adverse effects on the exposed organisms or impact the survival of the species. For example, they can affect reproduction, development, metabolism and...

Human and animal health: bound together for better or for worseThe interactions between human and animal health are many and complex, with new questions constantly emerging in the area where the two overlap. At ANSES, many scientists study this topic every day. Based on the...

Emerging marine biotoxins detected in shellfish in FranceBrevetoxins (BTX) are marine toxins that augment the transmission of nerve impulses. They can be responsible for neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP) if contaminated shellfish are ingested. This poisoning causes...

Consumption of raw or undercooked shiitake mushrooms can cause severe itching that lasts for several weeksShiitake (Lentinula edodes) may be marketed under different names: (golden) oak mushrooms, Chinese/Oriental black mushrooms. They can also be sold in mixtures with other...

The participation of horses in international competitions in Spain, and particularly the Valencia Spring Tour, which brought together 800 horses in February, has led to the spread of an outbreak of rhinopneumonitis (caused by equine herpes virus [EHV1]) within various European...

Why carry out independent collective expert appraisals for the recognition of occupational diseases?In France, occupational disease tables are the cornerstones of the system for the recognition of work-related illnesses. Their creation and modification are important processes...

What is the Transparency Regulation changing?Regulation (EU) 2019/1381 is improving the transparency of EU risk assessment in the food chain, as well as the reliability, objectivity and independence of the studies used by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). It is also...

The current trend for false nails and the health restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic have led to an increase in the use of cyanoacrylate adhesives at home. While direct skin contact with these glues is generally not serious, splashes through clothing can cause severe burns...

Scientists from ANSES and INRAE have analysed the systems in place to monitor resistance to plant protection products around the world. Their findings showed that studies on this subject are often engaged by both private and public players, at the same time and in the same...

Cases of adverse effects are regularly reported after humans have been accidentally exposed to veterinary medicinal products. Prascend®, intended for horses, is the medicinal product most frequently involved, after antiparasitics. Its mode of administration, generally hidden in...

A project coordinated by ANSES on the role of pets in the spread of antimicrobial resistance has just been selected for funding.More than one in two French households owns a pet. Do they play an important role in the transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria? Few studies...

Bisphenol B, an endocrine disruptor for humans and the environment ANSES assessed the endocrine-disrupting potential of bisphenol B as part of the French national endocrine disruptor strategy. Based on the scientific data available, ANSES has established that this substance...

TiO2-NP: used since the 1990s for its anti-UV and photocatalytic propertiesTitanium dioxide in nanoparticle form or TiO2-NP has been used for the past thirty years primarily for its ultraviolet radiation absorption and photocatalytic properties, which degrade certain pollutants...

Increased complexity of health risks in a globalised world, mistrust of the authorities: the contribution of scientific expertise to public decision-making regularly generates high expectations and lively debate. This has once again been demonstrated with the COVID-19 pandemic....

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, several outbreaks have occurred in food processing facilities, and particularly in meat processing plants. A number of factors are thought to favour the persistence and spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including: a cool, humid environment...

The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) and the French Health Products Safety Agency (ANSM) have decided to combine some of their scientific activities and bring them together under a new roof. The Pargade Architectes firm was...

Every week in France, 83% of children and adolescents and nearly 80% of working adults and students take one or more meals outside their home. ANSES conducted a review of the foods consumed and the nutritional intakes of these meals taken away from home. Mass catering, i.e....

Celebrating the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we take a closer look at the activities and careers pursued by women at ANSES.Women at ANSES are present in many different fields, including research and surveillance, health risk assessment, regulatory sciences...

The genetic modification of organisms by transgenesis consists in introducing one or more genes from another species into their genome. GMOs are generally detected by searching for DNA sequences frequently used to obtain them. These sequences enable the cells of the modified...

The French nutrivigilance scheme collects reports of adverse effects associated with the consumption of certain food products, including food supplements. Healthcare professionals, manufacturers or distributors and individuals can now report these adverse effects more quickly...

The substance hexyl salicylate, used in cosmetics and household cleaners, can have various effects on health, ranging from allergic skin reactions to abnormal foetal development. In order to better inform and protect consumers, ANSES has submitted a classification proposal to...

Thousands of dog bites are recorded in France every year. The existing regulations for preventing them are based on the animal's breed or breed type. Following its expert appraisal on the subject, ANSES concluded that this information alone cannot reliably predict the risk of...

On 1 February 2021, Matthieu Schuler was appointed Managing Director General of ANSES’s "Science for Expertise" Division. Matthieu Schuler takes over from Professor Gérard Lasfargues and will continue to consolidate the Agency's scientific orientations in order to guarantee...

The phytopathogenic fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Foc TR4), which was detected in Mayotte for the first time in late 2019, represents a major threat to banana crops. In December, eleven new suspected cases raised fears of further outbreaks of the...

To prevent this risk, they are asking healthcare professionals and parents to:opt for medicines rather than food supplements;check the doses administered (verify the amount of vitamin D per drop);avoid combining different products containing vitamin D.> Read the opinion (PDF...

The first research project supported by the thematic research network on animal health and welfare in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region (SAARA), in which ANSES is participating, is seeking a better understanding of the evolution of mycoplasmas, a bacterial genus that contains some...

ANSES has just published its 2021 work programme, which sets the course for its actions in all its areas of expertise. This programme outlines the work that the Agency will carry out in response to formal requests or as part of major national public health plans, as well as its...

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Protecting the health of 90% of European children from birth to three years of age from exposure to hazardous substances: this is the aim of the restriction proposal concerning disposable diapers that ANSES has submitted under REACh, the European chemicals regulation. It seeks...

Today, ANSES is publishing the list of projects selected as part of the 2020 calls for research projects for the National Research Programme for Environmental and Occupational Health. Thirty-four projects were chosen following the selection process, with total funding of six...

ANSES and its Belgian counterpart Sciensano have just renewed the long-standing agreements between them, first signed in 2009. The two agencies will continue their joint activities, mainly in the areas of diagnosis, research and reference relating to the pathogens responsible...

ANSES scientists exposed rainbow trout for 10 months to glyphosate concentrations comparable to those found in nature. This exposure did not affect their survival, reproduction or metabolism. However, occasional changes to their immune response were observed.The research was...

The projects resulting from ERA-NET calls are European collaborative studies, co-funded by national research funding agencies, such as the National Research Agency (ANR) in France, and the European Commission. They aim to coordinate national research and development programmes,...

ANSES's Laboratory for Animal Health is the national and European reference laboratory for major equine infectious diseases. Aymeric Hans, Director of the Physiopathology and Epidemiology of Equine Diseases (PhEED) unit based in Normandy, is taking part in a round table on...

Derived from the leaves of various Melaleuca species, tea tree, niaouli and cajeput essential oils are contained in numerous food supplements. The antimicrobial properties claimed in aromatherapy books have led consumers to misuse these food supplements as auxiliary therapies to...

During the winter holiday season, holly, mistletoe and poinsettia are used to decorate cakes, home interiors and gardens. The ingestion of berries or leaves by children or animals can be toxic, causing symptoms of varying severity depending on the quantity consumed. In the event...

On December 14, 2020, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote improved scientific and technical cooperation between the two national agencies in the...

What is ragweed and what are its consequences?Common ragweed is a weed that thrives in:certain agricultural crops such as sunflower or maize, where it causes considerable yield losses;other environments such as riverbanks or roadsides.Ragweed releases a highly allergenic pollen...

The French Agency for Veterinary Medicinal Products (ANMV), part of ANSES, is responsible for monitoring the market of products for veterinary use. Following an alert suggesting that the Wish e-commerce platform may have been selling falsified antiparasitic collars, the ANMV...

In the late 1990s, a series of crises led the European Union and some of its Member States to reform the organisation of scientific expertise contributing to the governance of health risks.Despite these reforms, the health authorities sometimes see their opinions challenged in...

Nanomaterials are contained in a wide variety of everyday products such as sunscreens, textiles, food and paints. They are used for their specific properties (size, morphology, solubility, etc.) in many industrial sectors, including construction, automotive, packaging, agri-food...

Through their research, expert appraisal and/or scientific and technical assessment activities, these eight public establishments share a common ambition: to facilitate a greater understanding of risks and how they can be prevented and reduced. They also share the same belief...

On 25 November 2020, ANSES became a Reference Centre for antimicrobial resistance of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). This new centre, which will involve several Agency entities working on antimicrobial resistance surveillance and research, will...

ANSES recommends that women who use oral contraception should not take the food supplement Chewable Hair Vitamins®.Chewable Hair Vitamins®, marketed by HairBurst, is a food supplement in chewing-gum form used to maintain healthy hair.In 2019, as part of its nutrivigilance scheme...

Fighting pathogen vectors, including mosquitoes and ticks, is essential to prevent and reduce at the source serious pathologies that still threaten human health on a global scale. The use of chemical mosquito insecticides, with their successes and failures, is emblematic of the...

Adolescence is a pivotal period: the habits acquired at this time tend to be perpetuated or even accentuated in adulthood, with the associated health effects. Unfortunately, the current context is particularly conducive to an increase in sedentary time, especially "screen time...

Receptivity to SARS-CoV-2 is the ability of an animal species to harbour the virus without necessarily developing symptoms. Susceptibility refers to the ability of the animal species to express clinical signs and/or lesions due to the virus.The data used to define whether an...

Resapath's observations: the decline in antimicrobial resistance continuesSince 2001, the French surveillance network for antimicrobial resistance in pathogenic bacteria of animal origin (Resapath) has monitored the spread of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, including...

While antimicrobial resistance is a well-researched phenomenon in humans and animals, its dissemination in the environment is less well known. However, certain resistance genes that are currently a problem in medicine come from bacteria in the environment. ANSES was therefore...

Following on from its work on mould in indoor air, ANSES examined the types of mould found in outdoor air (in particular Cladosporium, Alternaria and Aspergillus), and their health effects. As with those found indoors, ANSES's expert appraisal showed that they exacerbate asthma...

Today ANSES is publishing its first assessment of tobacco and vaping products sold in France. The information provided on more than 3,000 tobacco products, mainly cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos, and more than 33,000 vaping products, primarily e-liquids packaged in refill...

A textile treatment that remains possible, pending the results of the European evaluationSilver zeolite and silver-copper zeolite are active substances conferring antimicrobial properties. They are used in the manufacture of many everyday consumer articles and products,...

The Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) is a virus that can spread rapidly in courgette crops, causing considerable damage. ANSES’s Plant Health Laboratory confirmed its presence in France, although the country had been disease-free prior to that time.  Described for the...

Since the start of the mushroom-picking season, poison control centres have recorded a sharp increase in cases of poisoning associated with the consumption of wild mushrooms, particularly in the last two weeks. This type of poisoning can have serious health consequences leading...

At the height of the season for all the pumpkins, squash and other cucurbits that brighten up our autumn dishes, it is important to remember that not all "squash" are edible. Some inedible gourds can even cause food poisoning, which can sometimes be serious. Here are some...

Update of 4 December 2020: Following the Ministry of the Environment's announcement of additional funding for projects on endocrine disruptors, the text of the general call for projects has been amended. To enable scientific teams to respond, the deadline for project submission...

In this early autumn period, horse chestnuts, which grow and fall from the horse chestnut or conker tree, are frequently confused with sweet chestnuts, which come from the sweet or Spanish chestnut tree.In a study by ANSES on cases of confusion between plants recorded by French...

Béatrice Grasland has a PhD in microbiology. She first worked in the field of swine virology, then in avian virology, with notable experience in animal coronaviruses."Construction of infectious clones to obtain viral models and study their virulence"Becoming a researcher was a...

For World Antibiotic Information Day and European Antibiotic Resistance Day, ANSES is holding a Scientific Encounter on resistance to antimicrobials.During this event, which will be held remotely due to the current health crisis, ANSES will review the most recent findings on...

To improve knowledge of health risks, ANSES conducts research in its nine laboratories. Every year, its scientists and PhD students get together for its Scientific and Doctoral Days devoted to research, where they are given the opportunity to interact with one another and...

Antibiotics are heavily affected by issues of shortage or lack of availability, in both human and veterinary medicine. This can be due to a number of factors, such as problems with the supply of raw materials, production stoppages or difficulties, maintaining marketing...

In November 2018, ANSES undertook an assessment of non-chemical alternatives to glyphosate. The aim was to determine the uses for which this substance could be substituted by non-chemical alternatives and identify deadlock situations where no suitable alternatives are currently...

And that makes three! After the epidemiological surveillance platforms for animal and plant health, it is now the turn of the food chain surveillance platform (SCA) to launch its dedicated website: https://www.plateforme-sca.fr. Among other things, it will provide livestock and...

A lack of recognition of occupational diseases in FranceA worker who is occupationally exposed to a health hazard (toxic substances, for example) may then contract a disease that can be recognised as an occupational disease. In France, the recognition of occupational diseases is...

Stephan Zientara, age 56, is a veterinary surgeon and virologist. His role at ANSES is to study infectious animal diseases, zoonoses and vector-borne diseases.  General Inspector of veterinary public health – Director of the ANSES/INRAE/ENVA joint research unit – Deputy Director...

Early autumn marks the beginning of the wild mushroom picking season. Every year, numerous cases of poisoning caused by mushrooms are reported to poison control centres. This type of poisoning can have serious health consequences leading to hospitalisation or even death: severe...

Gabrielle Bouleau was elected as Chair of the ANSES Committee for Ethical Standards and Prevention of Conflicts of Interest on 16 September 2020. A chief engineer in bridges, water and forestry, and a socio-political expert with INRAE (the French National Research Institute for...

Professor Benoît Vallet was appointed Chairman of ANSES's Board of Administrators by Presidential Decree on 10 September 2020. He will be responsible for coordinating and leading the Board’s work. Besides Government representatives and Agency staff, the Board of Administrators ...

Today, ANSES is publishing an opinion on the health risks associated with the presence of cyanobacteria and their toxins in recreational water, drinking water and water intended for fishing. This work has been used to update the list of toxin-producing cyanobacteria in fresh...

Dispensers for alcohol-based gel or solution provided in shops or other places open to the public are often at young children's eye level. Because they are so easy to operate, for example with a foot pedal or automatically, they can be seen as a game. More than 50 cases of...

A proposal for classification submitted by ANSES to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) under the CLP Regulation on product classification, labelling and packaging has been subject to public consultation since 24 August 2020. This proposal concerns acetophenone azine, a...

Frequent poisoning due to confusion between edible and toxic plants Ornamental gourd confused with edible squash, water dropwort confused with wild carrot, jimsonweed leaves confused with New Zealand spinach leaves or autumn crocus confused with wild garlic...These are just...

On 4 December 2019, ANSES submitted a proposal to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) for harmonised classification of lithium carbonate, lithium chloride and lithium hydroxide under the CLP Regulation (Classification, Labelling and Packaging of products). These three salts are...

Fizzing bath tablets that resemble sweets, depilatory creams packaged like pouches of fruit puree or hand sanitiser sold in wine bottles: such imitations of food products are frequently found on the market. Whether you are a healthcare professional or an ordinary citizen, you...

Following a group of severe poisoning cases in the Grand-Est region, ANSES and the poison control centres are alerting the public to the risks associated with consuming toxic wild plants that have been mistaken for edible ones, including in garden vegetable patches. Severe...

Almost a quarter of edible seaweed samples analysed recently had cadmium concentrations above the maximum level of 0.5 milligram per kilogram set by the French High Council for Public Health (CSHPF). Because cadmium is classified as carcinogenic to humans and is used in foods...

From farm (food production and processing) to fork (consumption), the food we eat can be contaminated by various chemical and biological agents (hazards), posing a risk to our health.  To help risk managers optimise the safety of our food, ANSES has developed a methodology for...

Following the controversies over the carcinogenic classification of glyphosate, ANSES and its expert groups developed a strategy for the toxicological studies planned to supplement exploration of this substance's carcinogenic potential. Two research teams were selected to carry...

The Physiopathology and Epidemiology of Equine Diseases (PhEED) Unit, within the Normandy site of ANSES's Laboratory for Animal Health, has just been appointed international reference laboratory for dourine, an equine parasitic disease. This mandate was announced by the World...

Nitrous oxide is a gas used in the medical field for its analgesic properties. It is also used and sold as a propellant in canisters for whipped cream dispensers and is therefore freely accessible in shops and on the internet. Inhalation of nitrous oxide, also known as ‘laughing...

Although the novel influenza virus detected in pigs in China has some characteristics that favour its spread in humans, it does not pose an immediate human pandemic risk. Its appearance, however, is a reminder of the need to monitor the emergence and spread of swine influenza...

Loss of sense of smell is one of the most common symptoms of a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Although rarer in the case of respiratory viruses such as influenza, this type of symptom is in fact well known and is related to the ability of these viruses to infect olfactory neurons. These...

ANSES and its partners are preparing a proposal for the Horizon Europe funding programme, concerning the part relating to chemical risk assessmentHorizon Europe (2021-2027) is the European Union framework programme for the funding of research and innovation. By responding to...

The CIQUAL table, managed by ANSES since 1985, is regularly updated through sampling and analysis programmes and data collected from operators, distributors and inter-professional associations, in particular via OQALI (the French Food Observatory). Currently listing 3185 foods,...

Today, ANSES is publishing an opinion on the use of membrane processes for filtering pool water or water used for backwashing filters in public swimming pools, to safeguard the health of bathers. Its work compared the different types of membrane processes, in terms of their...

The CNEP provided an unprecedented national snapshot of substances in ambient airThe national exploratory pesticide campaign (CNEP) conducted by ANSES, INERIS and the AASQA network provided a snapshot of substances found in ambient air (except areas with local emission sources)...

Launched on 4 July 2018 by Frédérique Vidal, France’s Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, the National Plan for Open Science requires all publications and data produced through project-funded research to be made freely accessible. Open science “takes advantage...

Today, ANSES is publishing its risk assessment report on chemicals in heavy incontinence pads. In its expert appraisal, the Agency identified cases where the health thresholds for several chemical substances were exceeded for people with skin lesions who have to wear these...

The tiger mosquito has been established in France since 2004 and is now found in around sixty départements. It is an invasive species that can transmit diseases such as dengue, chikungunya and Zika to humans. You can help monitor its spread by reporting sightings via the...

An article in Le Monde on 16 June, based on comments by anonymous individuals described as "whistleblowers" and a question to the government by French MP Delphine Batho, criticised the fact that scientists asked by ANSES to reflect upon toxicology studies were then selected by...

Over the last thirty years, industry – particularly the food industry – has been developing the use of engineered nanomaterials because of their specific nanoscale properties. In view of the concerns about their use, ANSES received a formal request to investigate the matter from...

Dengue epidemics: a vector control (VC) strategy undermined during lockdownTo prevent dengue epidemics, integrated vector control strategies (i.e. control of mosquitoes transmitting the pathogens and parasites that cause dengue, chikungunya, malaria, etc.) are implemented every...

To improve prevention of the risks associated with tick bites, in 2017, INRAE and its partners created the participatory "Signalement Tique" application as part of the CiTIQUE project in which ANSES is participating. From today, everyone will have access to a new version which...

Following a death in the Grand Est region of France, ANSES and the poison control centres are alerting the public to the risks associated with picking and consuming toxic wild plants that have been confused with edible ones, and specifically the risk of serious poisoning...

Following the controversy over the carcinogenic classification of glyphosate, ANSES issued a call for tenders for additional toxicological studies on the carcinogenic potential of this substance. Now that the selection process is complete, the Agency is today announcing the...

Described as having the ability to “cleanse” or “purify” the air, essential-oil based sprays and diffusers are increasingly present in our homes. Continuing the studies undertaken in 2017 on indoor air purification techniques, ANSES is publishing a toxicovigilance study on...

Since the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus – responsible for the COVID-19 disease – emerged in China in December 2019, the knowledge acquired has shown that its main route of transmission is human-to-human, through contact between people or inhalation of infectious droplets emitted when...

Food supplements containing plants with anti-inflammatory propertiesSome food supplements contain plants with anti-inflammatory properties that could act as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These plants could interfere with the body’s natural defences, lowering...

Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of fracturesVitamin D is essential for our bodies to function effectively. We cover our daily vitamin D needs in two ways: by exposing our skin to sunlight or by eating foods that are rich in vitamin D. An inadequate intake of vitamin D...

As part of France’s national action plan to reduce the use of plant protection substances, ANSES is publishing its expert appraisal on the substances requiring particular attention, based on their hazard level and on phytopharmacovigilance data. ANSES is recommending a...

Clean surfaces and equipment thoroughlyFrequent hand washing with soap and water is the cornerstone of kitchen hygiene. Frequent cleaning of kitchen surfaces, equipment and utensils removes most of the dirt and micro-organisms that may be present. Sponges, cloths and other...

In its opinion published in February 2016, ANSES pointed out the hazards of insufficient physical activity and the effects of sedentary behaviour. On the basis of this opinion, the Agency is now adapting its guidelines to the lockdown situation and has set out some principles to...

Resorcinol is used in the manufacture of tyres, rubber products, adhesives and industrial resins. It is also used in certain cosmetic and hygiene products (hair dyes, mascara for professional use), as an antioxidant in food products such as shrimp, and as an antiseptic in...

More than 70% of the sludge from wastewater treatment plants is used in agriculture to provide the soil with organic matter and nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus.SARS-CoV-2 viral particles have been detected in the faeces of some patients. Although the World Health...

In the context of the COVID-19 health crisis, ANSES and the network of French poison control centres are closely monitoring calls made to the centres for reasons related to COVID-19. The purpose is to identify specific risk situations in order to issue recommendations and alert...

ANSES issued an internal request with a view to providing scientific support to improve prevention of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in the workplace, outside the healthcare sector. This mainly concerns occupational activities in the agri-food sector and its supply chain, sanitation and...

Can farm animals fall ill and infect us?There is no evidence that farm animals, or the foods derived from them, play a role in the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. Any transmission via food would therefore only be possible if the food had been contaminated by a patient...

COVID-19: ANSES takes action to support the healthcare systemFollowing the lead of the French Ministry of Health and the Regional Health Agencies, ANSES has offered the protective equipment and reagents it had available to hospitals near its 16 sites, to help equip healthcare...

During this period of lockdown due to the current unprecedented health crisis in the country, it is essential to keep up regular physical activity in your home. Aerobic exercises, muscle strengthening, relaxation: all these forms of daily physical activity can be practised at...

Does the arrival of COVID-19 mean we need to rethink our health monitoring systems? And how can we identify new epidemic warning signs at an early stage? These are the questions currently being addressed by European and North American researchers specialising in emerging...

Since the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus – responsible for the COVID-19 disease – emerged in China in December 2019, the knowledge acquired has shown that its main route of transmission is human-to-human, through contact between people or inhalation of infectious droplets emitted by...

Arnaud Leroy, CEO of ADEME, and Roger Genet, Director General of ANSES, signed a framework agreement this week at the Paris International Agricultural Show. Its aim is to strengthen cooperation between the two public agencies in order to integrate human health issues into their...

Having found common ground through their concerns for equine health, ANSES and the IFCE today signed a partnership agreement at the Paris International Agricultural Show. It consolidates and strengthens the ways in which the two organisations work together in this field, while...

Christophe Degueurce, Director of EnvA, and Roger Genet, Director General of ANSES, today signed a framework partnership agreement at the Paris International Agricultural Show. In doing so, the two organisations are formalising their long-standing cooperation and committing to...

The Central Fund for the Agricultural Mutual Insurance Scheme (MSA) and ANSES signed a framework partnership agreement today at the Paris International Agricultural Show, reflecting the desire of the two public interest organisations to combine their skills to protect worker...

Nico Horn, Director General of the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO), met with Roger Genet, Director General of ANSES, on the Agency's stand at the 2020 Paris International Agricultural Show. For nearly 20 years, ANSES has been participating in EPPO...

The pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus), a microscopic worm responsible for significant dieback in conifers, poses an imminent threat to French forests of maritime pine. It is currently present in Portugal and some parts of Spain, and could potentially contaminate the...

In 2018, an outbreak of citrus longhorned beetle was discovered on maple trees in Royan. This insect pest, which is a hazard to many species of ornamental, forest and fruit trees, has been subject to compulsory European control measures since 2012. Today, ANSES is publishing its...

The health of plants is increasingly threatened. What issues need to be addressed to better protect them?"Pests, especially plant pests, are one of the major contributors to the loss of production and biodiversity worldwide. Diseases and pests are emerging or re-emerging with...

As part of a novel research study combining biology and art, researchers from ANSES (INRAE-ANSES-EnvA joint research unit for molecular biology and parasitic immunology) and the SaBio research institute in Spain joined forces with several Mexican artists to explore the molecular...

Since late December 2019, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses of subtype H5N8 have been identified in domestic and wild birds in Eastern Europe and Germany. ANSES conducted an emergency assessment of the level of risk of transmission of these HPAI viruses by wild...

For this 2020 edition of the Paris International Agricultural Show, ANSES is offering an insider's view of the health of plants and ecosystems. Faced with current and emerging threats related to trade globalisation and the climate emergency, ANSES is mobilising its scientific...

Lead is an element that is toxic to health, especially for young children. As an environmental pollutant, it can contaminate various media including food and airborne dust. In its expert appraisal published today, ANSES concludes that lead-contaminated dust in outdoor public...

Gilles Bloch, Chairman and CEO of Inserm, and Roger Genet, Director General of ANSES, today signed a framework partnership agreement formalising their long-standing collaboration on major public health issues such as endocrine disruptors, nanomaterials, air pollution, pesticides...

ANSES is issuing an alert about a new emerging virus threatening tomato, chilli pepper and sweet pepper crops in France. Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) is particularly hazardous to susceptible plants. This virus can be transmitted through infected seeds, plants and...

The deployment of "5th generation" communication technology promises innovative services based on new infrastructure. These technological developments will change the ways in which the population is exposed and require the adaptation of measurement and assessment methods. As...

Following its 2018 expert appraisal on the safety of feminine hygiene products, ANSES is now publishing the results of its additional assessment. It confirms the need to provide better information to women and health professionals on the risk of menstrual toxic shock syndrome (...

ANSES is proposing to restrict chemicals found in disposable nappies, under the European chemicals regulation REACh, in order to better protect babies' health. This proposal aims to prohibit or limit the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxins, furans, PCBs...

For this 2020 edition of the Paris International Agricultural Show, ANSES is offering an insider's view of plant life and ecosystems.Today, we are facing multiple changes to our environment and lifestyles. ANSES applies its scientific expertise to current challenges, in...

The French authorities are alerting parents and carers to the risk of water-absorbing gel beads being ingested by children, particularly the under-fives. These accidents can have serious and sometimes fatal consequences. Water beads are designed to absorb up to 400 times their...

One of ANSES's main missions is to protect the public whenever plant protection products are used. The Agency estimates exposure and assesses health risks for workers and local residents as part of its work examining marketing authorisations. One of its priorities is to improve...

ANSES has conducted an assessment of the surveillance and control scheme for chemical contaminants in food implemented in France between 2010 and 2014. On the basis of a risk assessment, it noted that to a large extent the scheme did address the health issues. Areas for...

The waste management and recycling industry is central to circular economy policies and is growing all the time. The occupational health of professionals in this industry is a real challenge and was examined by ANSES in an initial expert appraisal, whose results are published...

ANSES is providing all the data from its third national study on the food consumption and dietary habits of the French population – INCA 3, published in 2017 – as Open Data. They can be consulted on the official website "data.gouv.fr". These data provide information on the...

Following the fire of 26 September 2019, the Hauts-de-France Regional Health Agency (ARS) introduced reinforced monitoring of drinking water quality. Fifty groundwater abstraction points and five surface-water intake points used for producing drinking water were targeted in the...

Today, ANSES is publishing the list of projects selected as part of its two 2019 calls for research projects for the National Research Programme for Environmental and Occupational Health, with the first for projects on a general theme, and the second on the theme of "...

ANSES's work programme sets the course for its actions in all its areas of expertise: food, animal health and welfare, environmental health, plant health and protection, and occupational health. The 2020 programme confirms the orientations and commitments made by the Agency...

On Wednesday 11 December, ANSES, INRA and the Ministries responsible for health, consumer affairs and food signed a new framework agreement for the French Food Observatory (OQALI), for the period 2020-2023. This will enable the Observatory to continue and strengthen its missions...

Following the European Union's five-year re-approval of this active substance in 2017, ANSES is reviewing marketing authorisations for products containing glyphosate marketed in France, and has begun a comparative assessment with the available alternatives. Without waiting for...

ANSES and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) are organising an international scientific conference on Monday 9 December dedicated to bee health and how research can contribute to risk assessment.The objective is to review both agencies' proposals on the assessment of...

ANSES has noted the decision of the Nice Administrative Court to revoke marketing authorisations for the insecticides "Transform" and "Closer" containing sulfoxaflor, an active substance approved by the European Commission.For these authorisations, which it had issued on 27...

To assess the risks over the longer term, it is necessary to document dietary exposure to pollutants associated with the fire that could accumulate and migrate via other environmental media such as water, soil and plants. Soil can lead to contamination through direct ingestion...

Herbicide-tolerant varieties (HTVs) are crop varieties that have been developed to be tolerant to a specific herbicide. Given their expansion in France over the past ten years, particularly for sunflower and rapeseed crops, and in response to public concerns, ANSES has reviewed...

Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid found in various plants used in food supplements. These supplements are usually taken to regulate blood glucose and/or cholesterol levels, but no health claims are currently authorised in the European regulations for berberine-containing...

To mark World Antibiotic Awareness Week and European Antibiotic Awareness Day, ANSES is publishing two reports reviewing the situation regarding antimicrobial resistance in animal health in 2018, and is participating in the interministerial symposium on 20 November entitled "...

ANSES is today publishing a review of the use of additives in processed foods available on the French market, as part of the OQALI food observatory operated jointly by ANSES and INRA. Using data collected on more than 30,000 products, this study has also revealed changes in the...

Manuelle Vertot, Ethics Officer at ANSES, has been reappointed for a new three-year term by decision of the Director General, Roger Genet. Manuelle Vertot was first appointed Ethics Officer in 2016. The Agency is restating its confidence in her in view of what she has...

Today, ANSES is issuing its annual calls for research projects as part of the National Research Programme on Environmental and Occupational Health. The 2020 edition of this programme will include two calls for projects with total funding of around 7 million euros: a general one...

In this regard, it asked INSERM to consider the data from this publication, along with other recent publications, in the collective expert appraisal that the Institute is currently conducting to update knowledge on the health effects of pesticides.This is important because...

Following the 2017 salmonellosis outbreak associated with the consumption of powdered infant formula, ANSES was asked to assess the hygiene, surveillance and control measures implemented in the manufacturing sector for these products, in order to improve the control of...

The monitoring of antimicrobial drug use data and of the development of antimicrobial resistance is an essential tool enabling implementation of a coherent policy to combat antimicrobial resistance. On Wednesday November 20th, in the framework of European Antibiotic Awareness...

Ornamental gourds and hybrid garden squash should not be eatenSome cucurbits are toxic and contain cucurbitacins, substances that are highly irritating and bitter. After ingestion, these can rapidly lead to digestive pain, nausea, vomiting and (sometimes bloody) diarrhoea, or...

To reduce the exposure of bees and other pollinating insects to plant protection products, ANSES recommended, in its opinion of 23 November 2018, strengthening the national provisions imposing restrictions on product use during periods when crops attract these insects. The...

ANSES has been appointed to lead the new European Reference Centre for the welfare of poultry and other small farmed animals, in collaboration with its partner organisations in Spain, Italy and Denmark. This is the second centre devoted to animal welfare in Europe after the...

Testing of exposure to waves emitted by mobile telephones was modified in 2016 to take changes in models and uses into account. Since then, manufacturers have been required to assess exposure under realistic conditions of use, i.e. when the telephone is placed very close to the...

In the days following the fire, animals may have been exposed to soot from the fire, by smoke inhalation and direct deposition of smoke particles on the mucous membranes of the lungs, as well as by consumption of contaminated food, particularly grass from pastures or silage that...

Every day, firefighters face an array of risk factors, including exposure to the chemicals usually produced by combustion products during fires, and to biological and physical agents. They also face organisational constraints, such as irregular working hours, and psychosocial...

On 26 September 2019, the Normandy Regional Health Agency (ARS) introduced reinforced monitoring of drinking water quality. Priority was given to above-ground drinking water reservoirs located under the smoke plume and near the pollution source, followed by groundwater...

The experts developed a novel analytical method based on the structural similarity between bisphenol A (BPA) and BPB, an approach that is designed to be more inclusive than the one currently applied at the regulatory level in Europe. The experts considered the possible effects...

In total, ANSES examined the results of 130 milk samples (milk, raw milk, whole milk, tank milk mixtures, mainly from cows and partly from goats) taken over a period between three and eleven days after the fire, from 29 September to 7 October 2019.The contaminants urgently...

The Vectopole Sud and ANSES join together to present a two-day event for scientific discussion and reflection on: “Innovations for the surveillance and control of vectors and pests”This event will be held at the Agropolis International in Montpellier on the 27th and 28th of...

This context led to ANSES being asked to assess the potential food risks associated with the deposition on the ground. The first step involved ensuring that the initial surveillance and sampling measures taken were adequate with regard to agricultural and food production.To...

On 17 October 2019, ANSES and ADEME are organising a day of scientific meetings devoted to the topic of air quality. This is a major public health issue, whether it concerns indoor or outdoor air. In order to preserve and improve air quality, we need to characterise the sources...

ANSES organised the Pesti’home study to find out more about how French people use pesticides to protect their homes, gardens and pets. The study provided a comprehensive overview of pesticides used in the home, along with the conditions of use and user profiles. This is the...

On Thursday 3 October, Roger Genet, Director General of ANSES, and Jean-Luc Dubois-Randé, President of UPEC (University of Paris-Est-Créteil Val-de-Marne), signed a framework partnership agreement, strengthening the two organisations' scientific cooperation in key areas of the "...

For almost 20 years, France has been officially free of bovine tuberculosis, a disease primarily affecting cattle herds. To maintain this status, surveillance and control actions aiming to bring the disease under control have been taken in certain at-risk areas. They include...

Cadmium: a substance to be monitoredCadmium is a trace metal element that is widespread in the environment in its natural state and as a result of human activity, particularly agriculture and industry. It is readily available for uptake by plants through their roots, by which it...

In this early autumn period, horse chestnuts, which grow and fall from the horse chestnut or conker tree, are frequently confused with sweet chestnuts, which come from the sweet or Spanish chestnut tree.In a study by ANSES on cases of confusion between plants recorded by French...

One of ANSES's main missions is to protect the public whenever plant protection products are used. The Agency estimates exposure and assesses health risks for workers and local residents as part of its work examining marketing authorisations. One of its priorities is to improve...

Three units of the Plant Health Laboratory (LSV) have been appointed European Union Reference Laboratories (EURL) for plant pests. The scope of the three mandates obtained concerns insects and mites, nematodes, and fungi and oomycota. With these three new European reference...

ANSES and EFSA are hosting an International Scientific Conference Day devoted to bee health and to the contribution of risk assessment research to the field. This is the 8th scientific event of this kind to be held on the topic of bee health and it will be co-hosted for the...

The SDHI class includes 11 fungicidal substances that prevent the development of fungi and moulds affecting crops by blocking succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), an enzyme involved in cellular respiration. In April 2018, in an article published in the press, several scientists warned...

Glyphosate is an active substance used in many herbicides. In December 2017, the European Union re-approved its use for a further five years. As part of the national glyphosate withdrawal plan designed to phase out its main uses by the end of 2020, ANSES is carrying out a series...

Today, ANSES is publishing the results of its expert appraisal on ambient air particulate matter. Based on a systematic review of the scientific literature, ANSES confirms, with high levels of evidence, the health effects associated with a number of components of ambient air...

Between 2010 and 2015, grouped births of children with Transverse Agenesis of the Upper Limbs (TAUL) were reported in three French départements: Ain, Loire Atlantique and Morbihan. In answer to questions by the affected families, the Ministries of Health, Ecological Transition...

On 17 October 2019, ANSES and ADEME will join together to host a one-day conference event to present the results of research projects funded by the two institutions on the topic of indoor and outdoor air quality. More specifically, recent scientific advances will be presented...

On 8 July, ANSES and the French National Research Agency (ANR) will once again join forces to organise a Science Day devoted to research on endocrine disruptors. This new edition will also provide an opportunity to review the scientific advances and challenges at the heart of...

Huanglongbing disease (HLB), which is caused by different species of the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter spp. (CL spp.), mainly affects plants of the Rutaceae family and in particular the genus Citrus. These bacteria are transmitted to citrus crops by two insect vectors,...

Following several reports of severe intoxication, including two deaths, ANSES and the network of poison control centres are drawing attention to the risks of confusing toxic and edible plants. The Agency is calling for greater vigilance and has issued advice on avoiding the risk...

As part of the National Health and Nutrition Programme (PNNS), ANSES is responsible for establishing dietary guidelines for the adult population and specific population groups. These guidelines provide scientific bases for public health policies and recommendations related to...

Today, ANSES is publishing a new expert appraisal on the health effects associated with exposure to low-frequency electromagnetic fields. In view of the data available, the Agency is reiterating its 2010 conclusions on the possible association between exposure to low-frequency...

Altrenogest is a synthetic progestogen used as a veterinary medicinal product to facilitate reproduction in the equine and swine sectors. In the equine community, this synthetic hormone is found in the medicinal product REGUMATE EQUINE, which is widely used both by professional...

ANSES is publishing its expert appraisal work on ammonium, potassium and sodium persulphate substances used mainly in hair bleaching products. The Agency has concluded that the use of persulphates poses health risks to hairdressing professionals and consumers, as these...

On 13 and 14 March 2018, the Regulated Products Assessment Department (DEPR) of the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) hosted a Workshop on Toxicological Risk Assessment of Plant Protection Products.The organising committee for the...

On 3 June 2019, Roger Genet was reappointed by Presidential Decree for a new three-year term as Director General of ANSES. In May 2016, Roger Genet was appointed to lead ANSES, the French Agency for Food, Environment and Occupational Health & Safety. During his term of...

ANSES is today publishing its expert appraisal on pinnatoxins, a family of emerging marine biotoxins that have been detected in mussels from Mediterranean lagoons. When ingested by mice, these marine biotoxins cause acute neurotoxic effects. ANSES used the available consumption...

On 3 June 2019, Sophie Le Quellec was appointed Communication and Institutional Relations Director at ANSES and Head of Cabinet to the Agency's Director General. A specialist in communication issues related to scientific and technical subjects of public interest, Sophie Le...

Epoxiconazole is a fungicidal active substance used on a large amount of the land cultivated in France, mainly to treat the aerial parts of plants such as cereals and beets, in order to control the main fungal diseases of these crops. Each year, about 200 tonnes of epoxiconazole...

ANSES will participate to the International Livestock Trade Fair (SPACE) to be held in Rennes on 10-13 September 2019.The Agency will share a stand with the Armor Zoopôle Développement bioscience park and will meet with all those working in the sector (animal husbandry...

The French Agency for Veterinary Medicinal Products (ANMV) inaugurated its new building today, in the presence of Roger Genet, Director General of ANSES, Loïg Chesnais-Girard, President of the Brittany Regional Council, Jean-Luc Chenut, President of the Ille-et-Vilaine...

ANSES is today publishing the results of its expert appraisal on health risks for workers in France exposed to crystalline silica, a mineral used or present in many different industries. In France, nearly 365,000 workers could potentially be exposed to respirable crystalline...

Against a backdrop of energy-saving policies and the phasing-out of traditional lamps (incandescent and halogen lamps), LEDs have seen strong growth due to their energy-efficient performance. In a few decades, therefore, the population's exposure to blue light has increased...

Caroline Semaille was appointed Managing Director General of the ANSES Regulated Products Division on 29 April 2019. She succeeds Françoise Weber, who decided to retire. Ms Semaille, a Public Health Hospital Practitioner, will now coordinate the Agency’s various departments...

In response to several cases of skin allergies linked mainly to textile clothing, ANSES conducted an expert appraisal in June 2018 to identify the chemicals in certain articles that might be responsible. In turn, KEMI carried out an analysis of the best risk management option (...

On 8 July 2019, ANSES and the ANR will once again join together to host a one-day event to present the results of research projects funded by the two institutions. This second event in the series will focus on endocrine disruptors, and more specifically on the scientific...

E171 is a food additive used in many different food products for its colouring and opacifying properties.  It consists of titanium dioxide particles, mainly in nanoparticle form, in varying proportions.In 2017, ANSES published an expert appraisal of a study on the oral toxicity...

Pesticides disperse into the natural environment where they can transform into one or more other compounds called "metabolites". These chemical metabolites can potentially contaminate water resources and even water supplied to consumers. Water quality controls are increasingly...

TiO2 can occur in a wide variety of forms depending on its physico-chemical characteristics, in particular nanoparticle forms with a size of less than 100 nm. Depending on its form, it is used for its ultraviolet-ray absorption properties and whitening qualities in many...

From 12 to 14 April 2019 the Normandy Excellence Festival (FÊNO), organised by the Normandy Region, will take place in Caen. This major event aims to promote the region’s know-how and bring its people together around the Norman identity. Teams from the Normandy site of ANSES’s...

In France, the use of dietary supplements containing glucosamine and/or chondroitin sulfate, presented as being able to contribute to joint comfort, has increased significantly. Adverse reactions potentially associated with the consumption of these food supplements have been...

Roger Genet, Director General of ANSES, and David Alis, President of the University of Rennes 1, today signed a scientific framework agreement aimed at strengthening their cooperation on environmental health, focused primarily on the "One Health" concept covering human, animal...

The second scientific conference dedicated to the presentation and discussion of the main ongoing research into Xylella fastidiosa will be held in Ajaccio, Corsica, from 29-30 October 2019. A post-conference field visit will be organised on 31 October. Registration and the call...

ANSES, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), the National Food Institute of the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and the Republic of Korea's National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation (NIFDS) are holding an international conference on the theme...

First detected in France in the Finistère region in May 2017, the plant pathogen Phytophthora ramorum poses a significant risk for many ornamental and forest-growing plants (rhododendrons, vibernum and larch trees). ANSES issues recommendations to monitor the spread of this...

At the Paris International Agricultural Show today, Roger Genet, Director General of ANSES, and Michel Eddi, President Managing Director of CIRAD, signed a five-year framework partnership agreement. The two organisations are thus strengthening their numerous existing...

Brought to France as an ornamental plant species at the end of the 19th century, giant hogweed gradually colonised certain environments to the detriment of the local flora. Giant hogweed is a plant belonging to the carrot family (Umbelliferae) which can reach up to 4 meters in...

Today ANSES is publishing its opinion and report on so-called alternative anti-scale (Alt-AS) processes in drinking water distribution systems. The Agency stresses first of all that Alt-AS manufacturers and distributors have a responsibility to provide evidence of the safety and...

With the constant changes in eating habits and the marketing of novel foods, food allergies continue to be a public health concern.  As a result of its expert assessment work, ANSES found that there was a lack of data on the prevalence of food allergies in France. The Agency...

Water is essential for life and for maintaining ecosystems, but can also be a source of exposure to various contaminants that may be harmful to health and biodiversity. ANSES draws on several scientific disciplines to improve our knowledge of micro-organisms and contaminants in...

As part of the Government's action plan on plant protection products and reduced dependence on pesticides in agriculture, ANSES is today publishing the results of its expert appraisal and its recommendations to strengthen the regulatory framework for the protection of bees and...

Today, ANSES published its assessment of the risks of chemicals found in baby diapers. Based on tests conducted on disposable diapers and their use, the Agency’s assessment highlighted several chemicals for which safety threshold values were exceeded. With regard to the possible...

ANSES has examined the ruling of 15 January 2019 by the French administrative court of Lyon overriding the marketing authorisation decision for Roundup Pro 360.It should be noted that, in order to protect human and environmental health, ANSES is responsible for implementing...

Succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHIs) are active substances used in fungicidal products to control certain fungi and moulds affecting crops. SDHIs prevent their development by blocking an enzyme involved in cell respiration: succinate dehydrogenase (SDH). Eleven active...

Botulism is a neuroparalytic disease caused by the action of the botulinum toxin, produced mainly by Clostridium botulinum. The disease affects both humans and animals and is included in List B of zoonotic agents and zoonoses. Human botulism is rare but very serious, while...

Today, ANSES is publishing the list of projects selected as part of its two 2018 calls for research projects for the National Research Programme for Environmental and Occupational Health: the first for projects on a general theme, and the second on the theme of "radiofrequencies...

In view of the numerous cases of very young children(usually under the age of 6) ingesting button batteries, with serious and sometimes fatal consequences, the health authorities are once again alerting parents, carers and health professionals to this little-known health risk...

The palm weevil is one of the most damaging insect pests of palm trees, and is a threat to plant biodiversity in many countries. This insect has spread rapidly along the Mediterranean coast in the last ten years or more, and is classified as a regulated quarantine pest and a...

Workers can potentially be exposed to numerous health risk factors through their occupations. The question of multiple exposure is a major challenge for all those active in the field of occupational health, safety and prevention. As part of the 2016-2020 National Occupational...

ANSES, the DGS and the DGCCRF are reiterating the risks associated with preparing and handling "slime", a sticky and elastic putty for kneading that is very popular with children and adolescents. The repeated and prolonged handling of this putty can cause skin irritations and...

Following the five-year re-approval of this active substance at European level in December 2017, ANSES is reassessing marketing authorisations for products containing glyphosate. For products for which an application for authorisation or re-authorisation has been submitted, the...

ANSES’s Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort laboratory is celebrating the 60th anniversary of its establishment in Ploufragan in Western France, the most important French livestock region. On this occasion, the laboratory will be reviewing the highlights of its history and the major...

During the symposium organised to mark the sixtieth anniversary of the creation of the ANSES Laboratory in Ploufragan (Côtes d'Armor), on Thursday 29 November 2018, Roger Genet, Director General of ANSES, and Stéphane Siebert, Director of Technological Research at the CEA,...

ANSES is publishing all the data from its Infant Total Diet Study (iTDS). Available as OpenData on the official website data.gouv.fr, this document presents all the data on concentrations of chemical residues or contaminants in the diet of children under three years of age. "...

ANSES is today issuing its annual calls for research projects as part of the National Research Programme on Environmental and Occupational Health. The 2019 edition of this programme will include two calls for projects with total funding of 8 million euros: a general one on the...

Plant protection products containing metam-sodium are used in market gardening and horticulture to disinfect the soil. Following the substance's approval at European level, ANSES reassessed the dossiers and notified the industrial companies concerned of its intention to withdraw...

Fuelled by cost reduction of sequencing and development at an exceptional pace of algorithmic and calculation resources, the medical, agronomic and food sectors are shaken by the genomic revolution.At the initiative of four national institutions working on food safety and risk...

The health risks associated with exposure to artificial UV radiation from sunbeds have been well established for many years now. ANSES points out that recent data on the subject support previous assessments: there is a proven cancer risk associated with UV radiation from...

Despite medical advances, cancer remains the leading cause of death in France.  While active smoking, alcohol consumption and an unbalanced diet continue to be the main causes of cancer mortality, the environment has a real impact on the risk of cancer, although it remains...

Button batteries are found in many products, including remote controls and certain toys. Serious and sometimes fatal accidents related to the ingestion of these button batteries by young children are regularly reported by the poison control centres.Even in the absence of airway...

Recycling used tyres in the form of granulates for the production of synthetic floors and coatings is one of the main ways of reusing tyre waste. These synthetic surfaces, which are increasingly used for sports pitches and indoor or outdoor playgrounds, have raised concerns in...

For the first time, ANSES and ANR are organising a one-day event presenting the results of funded research projects in the field of occupational health.This Scientific Conferences event will be held on October 24th. It will be an opportunity to present the scientific...

Dim One Health, in conjunction with the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (MNHN), is organising a symposium on the “One Health” concept as seen through the human and social sciences. This symposium will be an opportunity to bring up questions regarding the creation of the “...

In a context where seaweed-based products are increasingly being offered to consumers, ANSES assessed the risk of excess iodine intake associated with the consumption of seaweed in foods and food supplements. Its expert appraisal focused on iodine-containing seaweed likely to be...

The kernel is the seed inside the apricot stone. When ingested in large quantities, these kernels expose consumers to the risk of cyanide poisoning. This is because apricot kernels contain a significant amount of amygdalin, a naturally-occurring compound that converts to highly...

On 23 July 2018, Agathe Denéchère was appointed Deputy Director General for General Affairs at ANSES. A former student of the Ecole Nationale d'Administration, her career is rooted in the field of health and social affairs. Agathe Denéchère will now coordinate ANSES's General...

Cases of allergies associated with the consumption of food supplements are regularly reported to ANSES under its nutrivigilance scheme. Recently, severe allergies following the consumption of food supplements containing hive products (royal jelly, propolis) and pollen have been...

Today ANSES is publishing its health risk assessment on the safety of feminine hygiene products. Chemicals have been identified in these products at very low concentrations not exceeding health thresholds. The expert appraisal did not reveal any risk associated with these...

In a context where prevention of ambient air pollution is a real public health issue, questions are regularly asked about the value of recommending that the population wear personal protective equipment. This led ANSES to assess the potential health benefits of wearing "anti-...

ANSES is taking part in a citizen observation mission targeting the giant ragweed plant (Ambrosia trifida) in partnership with the Tela Botanica Association and the Ragweed Observatory. Ambrosia trifidais an invasive alien species posing a threat to health and agriculture,...

Every year, to mark European Antibiotic Awareness Day, ANSES holds its annual symposium on this topic, through its Scientific Conferences. This event is fully in line with the implementation of the interministerial roadmap adopted on 18 November 2016, which aims to strengthen...

ANSES will participate to the International Livestock Trade Fair (SPACE) to be held in Rennes on 11-14 September 2018. Once again, the Agency will share a stand with the Armor Zoopôle Développement bioscience park and will meet with all those working in the sector (animal...

In response to cases of skin allergies and irritation related to clothing and/or shoes reported to the health authorities, the Ministries of Health and the Economy asked ANSES to identify the skin irritant or sensitising chemicals, regulated or non-regulated, liable to be found...

For the seventh consecutive year, ANSES's Sophia Antipolis Laboratory, the European Union Reference Laboratory (EURL) for bee health, is organising its day of meetings devoted to bee health.The purpose of this conference, which is open to a broad audience, is to review recent...

The European monitoring strategy for air quality relies heavily on quality standards for a number of pollutants. Advances in knowledge on the toxicity of substances and their emissions in the atmosphere have shown that certain pollutants that may have an impact on human health...

For the first time, ANSES's next Scientific Conferences, presenting work conducted as part of the National Research Programme for Environmental and Occupational Health (PNR EST), will be held in partnership with the National Cancer Institute (INCa) and the Multi-Agency Thematic...

ANSES, INERIS and the network of approved air quality monitoring associations (AASQAs) coordinated by ATMO France are today launching a campaign to measure pesticide residues in air. This first national campaign aims to improve knowledge of the pesticides found in ambient air...

The signing of the new framework agreement for the Epidemiological Surveillance Platform for Animal Health (ESA Platform) on 20 June 2018 by the Director General for Food in the presence of Roger Genet, Director General of ANSES, and eight other members, signals a new departure...

Centrally located in the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer, the Laboratory for Food Safety's site specialising in fishery and aquaculture products is expanding! This extension, financed jointly by the Hauts-de-France Region and the local community, underlines ANSES's scientific...

ANSES is partnering with INRA to organise a symposium entitled "Preventing and curing infectious diseases according to the One Health concept", which will be held at the Lycée Descartes in Tours on 21 June 2018.This event aims to bring together all the players in human, animal...

Centrally located in the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer, this branch of the ANSES Laboratory for Food Safety – which specialises in fishery and aquaculture products – is expanding! The new extension, co-funded with the support of the Hauts-de-France Regional Council and the Boulogne-...

On 4 June, Philippe Reignault was appointed Director of the ANSES Plant Health Laboratory and will also take over from Charles Manceau as Director of Plant Health, with effect from July. Professor of Plant Biology and Diseases at the Littoral Côte d'Opale University since 2010...

At the 35th French occupational medicine and health congress (CNMST) held in Marseille from 5 to 8 June 2018, ANSES presented for the very first time data on cancers of occupational origin collected by the National Network for Monitoring and Prevention of Occupational Diseases (...

In its Article 125, the Act of 8 August 2016 "for the restoration of biodiversity, nature and landscapes" provides for a ban on the use of plant protection products containing active substances from the neonicotinoid class and seeds treated with these products, with effect from...

While Bacillus cereus is well known as a source of food infections, researchers from INRA and ANSES, working with doctors at nine French hospitals[1] including those in the Paris Public Hospital System (AP-HP), have demonstrated for the first time that this bacterium is also...

As Reference Delegation Day is held at ANSES, bringing together representatives of national and European reference laboratories, Gilles Salvat, Managing Director General for Research and Reference, gives us an overview of this essential part of ANSES's work. What do you mean by...

ANSES and the DGCCRF are alerting consumers to the risks associated with making and handling "slime". Slime, a sticky and elastic putty for kneading, is currently very popular with children and adolescents. It is commercially available in ready-to-use form or in kits. It can...

Today, the Agency is publishing an inventory of alternatives to antibiotics aimed at reducing their use in animal husbandry and based on an original method for evaluating the diverse scientific publications in the field. In its report, ANSES identifies numerous products and...

ANSES will participate in the 2018 International ISESSAH-InnovSur convention which will be held in Montpellier from 14 to 18 May, and we are actively involved in the organisation of the 2018 Innovsur forum from 16 to 18 May. The aim of this forum is to review the needs of the...

The welfare of animals who are dependent on humans – farm animals, pets, animals used for scientific purposes and zoo animals – is becoming increasingly important in our society. Animal welfare, which is a fundamental topic for ANSES, is at the crossroads of numerous...

ANSES's Laboratory for Food Safety in Maisons-Alfort has just been appointed National Reference Laboratory for the detection of "foodborne viruses in foodstuffs of animal origin excluding shellfish". This new mandate, which is a major step forward in strengthening public health...

ANSES has examined several marketing authorisation applications for products containing creosote, a biocidal product currently used to treat and prolong the life of railway sleepers, telephone and electricity posts, fences and enclosures (in agricultural, equestrian or roadside...

Climate change is a reality on which there is broad consensus in the scientific community. Because of the inertia of the climate system, changes to the climate related to human activities will continue for many years, regardless of any measures taken today. Combating climate...

The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (ANSES), in collaboration with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO), is organising a conference on 23-24 April 2018 in Paris...

In an article published recently in the press, several scientists drew attention to the potential health risks of using succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) fungicides in agriculture. This led ANSES to call on its experts to consider all the available scientific data on this...

In France, melatonin is used in medicinal products, extemporaneous preparations and food supplements. Melatonin is a hormone secreted naturally during the night. One of its physiological functions is to promote sleep. In addition to its effects on the biological clock, melatonin...

Since 2004, the Agency has been working on a national programme for toxicity reference values (TRVs). TRVs are biological indicators used to qualify or quantify, on a scientific basis, a risk to human health associated with exposure to a chemical substance. They are useful for...

Through its Maisons-Alfort Laboratory for Animal Health, ANSES has just been appointed Reference Centre of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) for foot-and-mouth disease and vesicular diseases. This new mandate expands the reference activities of...

Today the Agency is publishing the results of its expert appraisal on hypersensitivity to electromagnetic waves. This work drew on all the available scientific literature, as well as on numerous hearings with hospital and general practitioners, researchers, associations, and the...

Today the Agency is publishing the results of its expert appraisal on the health risks associated with the consumption of wild game and the environmental chemical contaminants (dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls - PCBs, cadmium and lead) found in both wild and farmed game. While...

Under the Act "for the restoration of biodiversity, nature and landscapes", ANSES undertook work to assess chemical and non-chemical alternatives to the use of plant protection preparations containing neonicotinoids, for which the final report will be published in the second...

In the presence of Bruno Le Maire, Minister of the Economy and Finance, Stéphane Travert, Minister of Agriculture and Food, and Brune Poirson, Secretary of State to the Minister for Ecological and Inclusive Transition, Roger Genet, Director General of ANSES, and Philippe Mauguin...

Roger Genet, Director General of ANSES, and Michel Combes, President of the French Federation of Health Protection Groups (GDS France), today signed a framework partnership agreement designed to strengthen the analytical reference scheme for Category 2 and 3 animal health...

Roger Genet, Director General of ANSES, and François Jacq, CEO of the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (IFREMER), have today signed a framework partnership agreement for a five-year period. This will enable the two agencies to reinforce their cooperation on...

On 26 February 2018, Roger Genet and Olivier Thibault, respectively Directors General of ANSES and the National Office for Hunting and Wildlife (ONCFS), signed the third framework agreement for the partnership between the two institutions. The renewal of their collaboration...

ANSES has submitted a proposal to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) for phosphine to be classified for its toxicity following acute inhalation exposure (Category 1). It was submitted for public consultation on the ECHA website on 12 February 2018 for a period of 60 days, to...

Roger Genet, Director General of ANSES, considers the issue of chemical contaminants in fruit and vegetables, which does not necessarily translate into a risk for the consumer. He explains how the Agency goes about monitoring the presence of pesticide residues in food, assessing...

On 1 February 2018, Matthew Schuler was appointed Risk Assessment Director of ANSES. A graduate of the prestigious Ecole des Mines, he had been Strategy Director at the French Radioprotection and Nuclear Safety Institute (IRSN) since September 2011. As ANSES's Risk Assessment...

Like every year, ANSES will be at the Paris International Agricultural Show (SIA), a key annual event providing the opportunity to meet with its partners and the general public. As an agency responsible for health risk assessment, ANSES participates fully in this event, to...

On 5 February 2018, Nicolas Eterradossi was appointed Director of the Ploufragan-Plouzané Laboratory. Nicolas Eterradossi is a veterinary doctor, holder of a university doctorate in microbiology from the Institut Supérieur des Productions Animales (Higher Institute for Livestock...

Gilles Salvat, currently Director for Animal Health and Welfare at ANSES, has since 1 February 2018 also been responsible for the Research and Reference Division. A veterinary doctor, doctor in microbiology, and inspector general for veterinary public health, Gilles Salvat has...

Today, ANSES is publishing the first in a series of fact sheets summarising the data it collects for each active substance under the phytopharmacovigilance scheme it coordinates. The aim of phytopharmacovigilance is to be able to take swift action on a product's marketing...

The European Joint Programme (EJP) on "One Health", selected by the European Commission in October, was officially launched this week at a meeting bringing together the project partners, as well as the French Ministries of Health, Agriculture & Food, and Research, the...

The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) and the Belgian Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre (CERVA) have jointly been appointed European Union Reference Laboratory for foot-and-mouth disease.This French-Belgian consortium,...

ANSES is today issuing a call for applications in order to renew ten of its independent expert groups in the areas of food, nutrition, animal feed, animal health and welfare, and plant health. Nominations for these groups, open to scientists from a variety of disciplines, must...

Since its creation, ANSES has always fully participated in the Paris International Agricultural Show (SIA).  This year, the Agency will offer several educational workshops, storytelling sessions and interactive quizzes for families to help them understand how science helps...

ANSES received a request from the French Ministries of Health and the Environment to report on the state of knowledge concerning the pollen and mould of greatest concern to health in the ambient air of France’s overseas départements and regions, and the principal related health...

Today, the notion of global change does not only apply to the global warming caused by human activities. It now also includes other planet-wide phenomena caused by societal changes and transformations such as the intensification of trade and modifications in production and...

Chlordecone was used for many years in the banana plantations of Martinique and Guadeloupe to combat weevils, a serious insect pest for banana crops. This pesticide, which is very persistent and highly bioaccumulative, has been prohibited since 1993. However, its persistence...

Several cases of poisoning in young children (including one that was serious) resulting from the ingestion of button batteries from luminous fidget spinners have been reported by the French poison control centres. These cases illustrate the importance for parents to prevent...

Spirulina (a cyanobacterium that is generally offered for sale in the form of a powder) has long been a traditional food consumed in several countries. In France, it is found on the market in the form of a conventional food (alone or as an ingredient) or as a food supplement,...

The One Health EJP is a EU cofunded project under the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme.The European Joint Programme (EJP) on "One Health", coordinated by ANSES with the participation of 41 partners from 19 Member and Associated States, was approved by the European Commission and...

By an Order issued in summary proceedings, the Court of Nice has ordered the suspension of two marketing authorisations issued by ANSES in September for the products Closer and Transform. The Agency takes note of this Decision. By a decision dated 27 September 2017, ANSES issued...

In 2009, at the request of the Directorate General for Health (DGS), the French Health Products Safety Agency (ANSM) assessed the risk for consumers associated with the use of toluene in cosmetics, particularly in nail varnish, without however taking into account the potential...

Today ANSES is publishing the results of an expert appraisal on the treatment of drinking water with orthophosphates to limit lead dissolution. The Agency concludes that treatment with orthophosphates is one possible collective protection measure, but is not in itself sufficient...

On 24 October 2017, ANSES withdrew the marketing authorisation for the only plant protection product containing glufosinate authorised in France, Basta F1, marketed by Bayer SAS, as well as the import permits for products containing it. Following a re-examination of the...

The European Joint Programme (EJP) on "One Health", coordinated by ANSES with the participation of more than 40 partners from 19 Member States, was approved by the European Commission and will start on 1 January 2018. Through its role in the design and implementation of this...

By its decision dated 27 September 2017, ANSES issued marketing authorisations for two plant protection products containing the active substance sulfoxaflor, CLOSER and TRANSFORM, marketed by DOW Agroscience SAS, subject to strong restrictions on their conditions of use....

For more than 10 years now, the Approved Air Quality Monitoring Associations (AASQAs) have been collecting data on pesticide concentrations in ambient air from different points in the country. Despite the great wealth of data, it remains difficult to estimate exposure to...

Today ANSES is publishing the results of its analysis of air purification techniques based on the principles of plasma, catalysis and photocatalysis, ozone generation and ionisation. Over the last few years, equipment has appeared on the market that claims to have indoor air...

Under the terms of the National Endocrine Disruptor Strategy (SNPE), ANSES has published the results of its assessment of five chemical substances suspected of being endocrine disruptors. The Agency has also published its latest work concerning the assessment of the health risks...

ANSES and the Technical and Scientific Institute for Beekeeping and Pollination (ITSAP) have signed a partnership agreement to strengthen their collaboration in the area of phytopharmacovigilance. This three-year agreement will help better identify the adverse effects of plant...

ANSES and the Belgian Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre (CODA-CERVA) have renewed the framework agreement that has linked them since 2009, as well as the agreement concerning scientific collaboration on foot and mouth disease and bluetongue. The two agencies will thus...

In June 2016, ANSES published an expert appraisal on the specific exposures and health risks to which sewage workers are subjected, concluding that there are long-term health effects associated with the working conditions in sewers. Today the Agency is presenting additional...

At the International Livestock Trade Fair (SPACE) on Tuesday 12 September, Inra, Irstea, ANSES, Agrocampus Ouest, the University of Southern Brittany and the University of Rennes 1 signed a memorandum of understanding for the creation of a Scientific Interest Group to be known...

ANSES has now published its health risk assessment concerning the ingestion of eggs contaminated with fipronil, the active substance in insecticides and acaricides fraudulently used in holdings in Belgium and the Netherlands. In the light of the available data on the toxicity of...

Since 2005, ANSES has been responsible for the scientific appraisals required for the establishment of Occupational Exposure Limits (OELs) based on health criteria. In the first half of 2017, ANSES published several collective expert appraisal reports for products as part of...

A risk of confusion between the medication Lytos and the food supplement Lithos has been reported when dispensing these products in pharmacies.The French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety (ANSM) and the French Agency for Food, Environmental and...

The Signalement-Tique application is available now and can be downloaded free of charge for use with iOS and Android smartphones. With this app, INRA and ANSES, in conjunction with the French Ministry of Health and Solidarity, are recruiting volunteers to participate in research...

On average, French people consume 2.9 kg of food per day, i.e. around 2200 kcal, 50% of which come from beverages. Women generally prefer yoghurts and soft white cheese (fromage blanc), fruit purees, poultry and soups. As for men, they tend to enjoy cheese, meat, delicatessen...

Today, ANSES is publishing a new opinion in response to a formal request to assess population exposure to the electromagnetic fields emitted by smart meters, on the basis of new scientific data. In December 2016, in view of the available data, the Agency concluded that there was...

Bisphenol A is a synthetic chemical which has been used for over 50 years, mainly in the plastics industry. ANSES has identified close to sixty business sectors that are potential users of the substance in France.  Studies by ANSES on the uses and health effects of bisphenol A,...

Under the national nutrivigilance scheme, five cases of neonatal hypercalcaemia and two cases of congenital hypothyroidism, all sufficiently documented and likely to be related to the consumption of food supplements for pregnant women, were brought to ANSES's attention. These...

Knowledge of the health and environmental effects of pollution of ambient air by chemicals has been well established for some years now. Since 1996, the Member States of the European Union have been required to implement measures for monitoring, assessing and controlling ambient...

ANSES has been the European Union Reference Laboratory (EURL) for equine diseases since 2008. The European Union recently decided to renew the mandate for five years, acknowledging the quality of the work performed in ANSES laboratories and the Agency’s commitment to horse...

The Act on the future of agriculture, food and forestry of 13 October 2014 entrusted ANSES with establishing a phytopharmacovigilance scheme. Its aim is to identify potential adverse reactions to the use of plant protection products affecting human, animal and plant health,...

Mineral oils (mineral oil hydrocarbons - MOHs) are complex mixtures derived from crude oil consisting of mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSHs) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAHs). Because they are found in the inks or adhesives of paper and cardboard food...

In 2015 ANSES was asked to conduct an expert assessment on gaseous fumes emitted by decaying Sargassum seaweed. In March 2016, the Agency recommended implementing measures to protect the general public and workers in charge of collecting, transporting and processing Sargassum...

The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) today launches a new version of its on-line declaration website for veterinary pharmacovigilance. This website was created to collect reports of adverse effects linked to, or potentially...

In September 2016, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published an opinion on the re-evaluation of E171, a food additive made up of titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles, on the basis of a detailed review of the literature data on TiO2 nanoparticles. This opinion concluded...

ANSES has submitted a proposed classification for granulated copper to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in accordance with the European CLP Regulation (on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures). This proposal has been the subject of a public...

ANSES has submitted a classification proposal for diisooctyl phthalate as toxic for reproduction, category 1B for fertility and development, to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). This proposal has been open for public consultation on the ECHA website since 14 March 2017, to...

ANSES has submitted a classification proposal for 2-methoxyethyl acrylate to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in line with the CLP regulation (classification, labelling and packaging of chemical substances). This proposal has been open for public consultation on the ECHA...

During a visit on 17 March 2017 by a delegation from ANSES to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in Ottawa, Dr. Primal Silva, the Acting Vice-President and Roger Genet, Director General of ANSES, signed a Memorandum of Understanding concerning scientific cooperation. Its...

On 22 March 2017, ANSES and the US National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) signed a ten-year Memorandum of Understanding. In doing so, the two organisations join forces to achieve a common goal: improved understanding and mitigation of the impact of the...

Today ANSES is publishing the results of its assessment of health effects related to low-frequency sounds (20 Hz to 200 Hz) and infrasounds (below 20 Hz) emitted by wind farms. The expert appraisal undertaken by the Agency made it possible, on the one hand, to measure and...

In its Article 125, the Act of 8 August 2016 "for the restoration of biodiversity, nature and landscapes" provides for a ban on the use of plant protection products containing active substances from the neonicotinoid class and of seeds treated with these products, with effect...

Today ANSES is publishing the conclusions of its expert appraisal on the health risks related to the use of devices intended for the performance of aesthetic procedures (hair removal and lipolysis). In light of the effects observed and reported in various clinical studies, ANSES...

In early March, 27 European countries declared outbreaks with the World Animal Health Organisation (OIE) of the H5N8 or H5Nx highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, responsible for a bird flu epizootic in many of these countries. ANSES is highly involved in surveillance of...

Water filter jugs are domestic water treatment devices intended to be used exclusively with drinking water (DW). They are therefore not designed to make non-potable water potable. The improvement of the organoleptic properties of water (chlorine taste in particular) and the...

Today, the Agency is publishing its opinion on the assessment of the health risks associated with the use of rainwater for washing laundry in the home. The recovery and use of rainwater for domestic purposes have been on the increase over the past few years, with the aim of...

ANSES is today publishing its Opinion on the relevance of nutrition information programmes (NIPs) for consumers. The work involved assessing the potential impact of the implementation of such systems on the reduction in the incidence of certain diseases in the entire population...

By decree of the Ministers of the Environment, Health, Labour, Agriculture and Consumer Affairs dated 23 January 2017, Professor Isabelle Momas has just been appointed chairwoman of ANSES's Scientific Board, succeeding Professor Paul Frimat, who chaired the Board from 2010 to...

The current National Health and Nutrition Programme (PNNS) guidelines focus on different food groups (fruits and vegetables, starches, etc.) and on physical activity, broken down for specific populations (the elderly, children, adolescents, pregnant and breastfeeding women)....

By Presidential Decree dated 17 January 2017, Luc Derepas, State Councillor, has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Administrators of the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES). He succeeds Professor Didier Houssin, who had been...

The national nutrivigilance scheme, managed by ANSES, collects reports of adverse effects likely to be related to the consumption of food supplements for athletes. These reports, and the widespread consumption in several sports disciplines of these types of products, which aim...

Act No. 2015-992 of 17 August 2015 on the energy transition for green growth authorises the deployment of smart meters throughout France capable of the day-to-day transmission of electricity and gas consumption readings to energy suppliers. Water distribution companies have also...

ANSES is today publishing the 2016 CIQUAL table, the reference tool for the nutritional composition of foods, available free of charge on the Internet. Many new data have been added. The CIQUAL table now provides a detailed nutritional profile covering 61 different constituents...

ANSES received ISO 9001 certification in 2013, and it has just been renewed by AFNOR in accordance with the new 2015 version of the standard. This procedure supports the scientific excellence goals of the Agency's expert appraisal work, including responsive action and compliance...

ANSES, BRGM, IFSTTAR, INERIS, IRSN, IRSTEA andSanté publique France today sign a charter for openness to society. Despite their diversity, these seven public organisations all fulfil a common role in the general interest: assessment of risks in the areas of health and the...

Since its creation, ANSES's Sophia Antipolis Laboratory has established itself as a national and international reference in bee and ruminant health. Indeed, since 1976, it has been awarded five national, European and international reference mandates for bee health and bee...

Manuelle Vertot, Head of ANSES's Legal Affairs Unit, has been appointed as the Agency's ethics officer, in application of the Decree of 10 June 2016 on the presence of an ethics officer within health authorities and organisations. She takes on this new mission for a three-year...

Today ANSES publishes the results of its expert assessment on the health risks of oral exposure to several chemicals found in plastic toys and materials likely to be mouthed by infants and children under three years of age. For four of the substances studied which are...

iCube, ANSES's new infectious disease research facility, is being inaugurated today. Those attending the event include Stéphane Le Foll, Minister of Agriculture, Valérie Pécresse, President of the Ile-de-France regional council, Michel Herbillon, Mayor of Maisons-Alfort and...

In light of the findings of the present study, the Agency stresses the importance of following up the recommendations of the National Health and Nutrition Programme (PNNS), in particular, not to introduce any foods other than infant formulas before 6 months and, subsequently, to...

In the last several years, increasing attention has been paid to the effects of indoor environment pollution on health. ANSES was asked by the ministries of health and the environment to conduct an expert assessment on the issue of mould growth and the correlated production of...

On 15 June, the European Commission (EC) published its proposal for criteria for identifying endocrine disruptors (EDs), accompanied by several texts proposing amendments to the regulations in force concerning biocidal products and plant protection products. In this context, the...

In France, there is a large population of people working in agriculture and potentially exposed to pesticides. In 2010, over a million people were working regularly in agriculture, to which should be added several hundred thousand non-permanent workers and tens of thousands of...

Today ANSES launches a public consultation of its draft report on electromagnetic hypersensitivity or idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields. Members of the scientific community, physicians and interested stakeholders are invited to provide...

Following several reports of serious adverse effects related to the veterinary drug VELACTIS®, ANSES has suspended the use of this medicine. The Agency has asked veterinarians to no longer prescribe VELACTIS®. A recall of all batches has been initiated and farmers are invited to...

During the visit to ANSES headquarters of a NIFDS delegation, the two Directors General, Dr. Yeowon SOHN and Dr. Roger GENET, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 12 July 2016. The signature of the MoU takes place during France-Korea year, 2015-2016, which celebrates...

ANSES is today publishing an expert appraisal on the exposure of children to radiofrequencies and the potential effects on their health. In its conclusions, the Agency emphasises that children can be more exposed than adults because of their morphological and anatomical features...

ANSES is today broadening its sphere of competence by taking over management of marketing authorisations (MAs) for biocidal products and responsibility for declarations to the biocidal products inventory (SIMMBAD). The Agency will build on the organisation it set up in July 2015...

Today, a large number of workers are affected by so-called "atypical" working hours and rhythms. This particularly concerns shift work, where employees form different teams that take over from each other on a given workstation without ever overlapping, and night work, performed...

While carrying out their professional activity, sewer workers are exposed to many chemical and biological agents present in the air and/or water, by inhalation of gases, vapours or aerosols, by mucocutaneous contact and by ingestion.In 2004, the INRS published the results of a...

ANSES is today withdrawing 132 authorisations for products combining the active substance glyphosate with the co-formulant POE-tallowamine, following a re-examination of their marketing authorisations. The Agency had identified an issue of concern regarding the co-formulants in...

In France, more than 95% of catchment systems for the production of water intended for human consumption use groundwater. With climate change, the increasing frequency and intensity of weather events such as droughts or intense rainfall will affect water resources. This change...

The risk of electromagnetic interference with certain medical devices, generated by mobile telephones, has long been a subject of discussion. The use of mobile telephones in any place and at any time by a majority of the population is common practice, including by health...

There are several varieties of titanium dioxide (TiO2). They differ according to their crystalline phase and particle size distribution. For many years, titanium dioxide has been used at the micron scale for the production of pigments. It has also been used in nanoscale powder...

On 1 July 2016, ANSES will be given a new mission, currently the responsibility of the Ministry of the Environment: issuing marketing authorisations (MAs) for biocidal products. The Agency has prepared some proposed guidelines on reaching decisions relating to marketing...

Roger Genet has been appointed Director General of the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety, thereby succeeding Marc Mortureux. As Director General of Research and Innovation at the Ministry of Research since March 2012, and a former...

Created in 1901, the Maisons-Alfort Laboratory for Animal Health, one of the world's oldest laboratories specialising in the study of infectious animal diseases, celebrates its 115th anniversary this year. This event, incorporated into the celebrations to mark the 250th...

ANSES has submitted a proposal to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) for methylmercury chloride to be classified as toxic to reproduction Category 1A, mutagenic Category 2, carcinogenic Category 2 and for specific target organ toxicity (nervous system, kidney) Category 1. This...

The French Act of 26 January 2016 on the modernisation of the health system provides for optional information, in the form of graphics or symbols placed on packaging, that summarises certain data on nutritional quality, with a view to improving consumer information. Two food...

Since August 2014, successive waves of Sargassum seaweed have been washing up on the  coastlines of the French West Indies and French Guiana. Despite the efforts made to clean it up, this seaweed decomposes in situ. This leads to the production of hydrogen sulphide (H2S), which...

The National Programme for Nutrition and Health, or PNNS, aims to improve the state of the nation's health by acting on diet and physical activity, which are major determinants of nutrition. ANSES was asked to investigate these issues by the Directorate General for Health, with...

The World Health Organization recommends certain deltamethrin-impregnated mosquito nets to avoid the transmission of vector-borne diseases spread by mosquitoes. In France, these mosquito nets are not covered by any marketing authorisation, so they cannot be used in compliance...

ANSES has submitted a proposal to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) for potassium permanganate to be classified as toxic for reproduction, Category 1B. Since 17 February 2016, this proposal has been the subject of a public consultation on the ECHA website to give all...

Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) is a substance used as a preservative in many commercial mixtures such as detergents, paints and varnishes, and also in mixtures for professional use. It is also found in cosmetic products: its presence must then be mentioned on the packaging. Over...

Glyphosate is an active substance authorised in Europe and used very widely in France as a herbicide, both by professionals (annual tonnage varying between 5157 tonnes and a little over 7421 tonnes from 2008 to 2014) and by amateur gardeners (annual tonnage varying between 1264...

On the occasion of the State visit to India of the President of the French Republic, Mr François Hollande, ANSES and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India signed an agreement to promote exchanges on health risk analysis methodologies and laboratory techniques in the...