Published on 11/04/2019

Keywords : Nutrition, Food supplements, Minerals, Vitamins, Nutrivigilance

Consumption of food supplements, which provide a concentration of nutrients or other substances, has become increasingly common in France. These products are used for slimming, relieving stress, boosting energy or for athletes. While they are often perceived as harmless, in some cases they can expose the consumer to health risks. What work is ANSES doing on food supplements and what are its recommendations?

Published on 01/04/2019

Keywords : Microplastics, Food contaminants

­­­What are microplastics?

Published on 29/03/2019

Keywords : Antimicrobial resistance, Antibiotics, Resapath, Veterinary medicinal products, Animal health, Colistin

The development of antimicrobial resistance in animal and human bacteria is a major public health issue requiring an integrated approach across all types of medicine, according to the "One Health" concept covering both humans and animals. ANSES has mobilised significant resources to combat antimicrobial resistance, in particular by coordinating the French Surveillance Network for Antimicrobial Resistance in Pathogenic Bacteria of Animal Origin (Resapath), which is devoted to monitoring resistance in bacteria responsible for infections in all animal species. Resapath is both an essential tool for monitoring animal antimicrobial resistance and a key forum for cooperation among stakeholders in human and veterinary medicine. 

Published on 23/01/2019

Keywords : Animal diseases, Foot and mouth disease, Animal health

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral infection that is not transmissible to humans. It remains one of the main concerns of livestock farmers and health authorities, due to its potentially huge socio-economic impact. Below is a detailed review of ANSES’s work on FMD.

Published on 08/01/2019

Keywords : Antibiotics, Antimicrobials, Veterinary medicinal products, Veterinary drugs, Antibiotic resistance, Antimicrobial resistance

Veterinary antimicrobial sales have been monitored annually by the Agency since 1999. This monitoring is based on the recommendations in Chapter 6.8 of the OIE's 2016 Terrestrial Animal Health Code "Monitoring of the quantities and usage patterns of antimicrobial agents used in food-producing animals".

Published on 08/01/2019

Keywords : Antimicrobial resistance, Animal health, Veterinary medicinal products, Antibiotics

Antimicrobial resistance is a major international human and animal health issue, because the emergence and spread of drug-resistant strains of bacteria call into question the efficacy of these treatments in humans and animals alike. Preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics is therefore a genuine public health challenge requiring an integrated approach across all types of medicine, according to the "One Health" concept covering both humans and animals. ANSES has mobilised significant resources to address the topic of antibiotic resistance. Through all its research, reference, surveillance and risk assessment activities, the Agency contributes to a greater understanding of the risks associated with antimicrobial resistance related to farming, food and the environment and, therefore, ultimately the risks to human health.

Published on 04/01/2019

Keywords : Bees, Animal health

For several years now, a phenomenon resulting in the weakening and mortality of bee colonies has been seen in many countries. In this context, the impact of various factors that may act alone or in combination on the health of bee colonies (infectious and parasitic diseases, stress related to changes in food resources, plant protection products, climate conditions, etc.) has regularly been demonstrated through different scientific studies. Below is an update on this issue and details of the Agency's work.

Published on 28/12/2018

Keywords : Red palm weevil, Plant health

What is the red palm weevil? The red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) is a beetle that is a particular menace to palm trees. Originally from South and South-east Asia, it is now found in more than 60 countries, where it threatens date palms, ornamental palms and coconut palms. It has been present in France since 2006; it was first detected in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region (French Riviera) and has now become established in the Occitanie region and Corsica.

Published on 09/11/2018

Keywords : Sargassum seaweed

Since August 2014, the French Caribbean and French Guiana have been experiencing successive waves of Sargassum seaweed washing up on their coastlines. Despite the efforts made to clean it up, the seaweed decomposes in situ. This leads to the production of hydrogen sulphide (H2S), which can sometimes be detected at high concentrations. Doctors' reports concerning the health effects suffered by people exposed to H2S, and complaints from the general public relating to the problem of odours, have increased sharply. Following a request from the Ministries of Health, the Environment and Labour, in March 2016 ANSES published an initial expert appraisal on the emissions from decomposing Sargassum seaweed. In 2017, this expert appraisal was supplemented by a revision of the toxicological profile of H2S and a summary of the ecology, accumulation, chemistry and decomposition of Sargassum seaweed.

Published on 30/08/2018

Keywords : Anthrax, Zoonosis

Anthrax is a zoonosis (i.e. a disease common to humans and animals) that primarily affects herbivores. It is caused by Bacillus anthracis, a bacterium that is unusual in that it persists in soil for decades as spores. ANSES is the National Reference Laboratory for this disease. Here we provide a presentation of the disease and the role played by ANSES.