Food and nutrition

Hepatitis E is usually a benign disease, but can sometimes lead to serious complications that may be fatal (particularly in susceptible populations, such as pregnant women or individuals with liver disease). ANSES was asked in 2009 to assess the role of certain food products in its transmission. It published several opinions and scientific assessment of the risks related to the hepatitis E virus.

Chlordecone is a pesticide that can pose a risk to human health. It was used in banana plantations in the French Caribbean until 1993. Being very persistent, it has permanently contaminated the soil and water, and even today has an impact on crops and livestock production. Since the early 2000s, ANSES has been working to improve knowledge on exposure of the French Caribbean population to this contaminant and the associated health risks. In particular, it has made recommendations on the consumption of locally produced food.

A balanced diet calls for certain individual habits, but also for the foods offered to consumers to have an adequate nutritional composition. In order to be able to monitor the quality of the food supply, OQALI, the French Food Observatory, was set up in February 2008 by the Ministries of Agriculture, Health and Consumer Affairs. It is run jointly by ANSES and INRAE.

Botulism is a disease caused by the action of a toxin produced by Clostridia bacteria, in particular Clostridium botulinum. Found almost everywhere in the environment, this bacterium is responsible for rare but severe cases of food poisoning in humans. The foods most often involved in human cases include canned foods as well as home-made and artisanal cured meat and fish.

Brucellosis is a disease caused by bacteria of the genus Brucella . Found worldwide, it can affect humans, with symptoms including fever, pain, headache and/or weakness. It also affects most mammalian species, domestic and wild ruminants in particular. In animals, brucellosis causes abortion, reduced fertility and reduced milk production, which may in turn induce major economic losses. In addition, animals or herds which have not been certified as brucellosis-free cannot circulate freely between countries. Driven by these major economic implications and to the risk to human health, ANSES is actively involved in brucellosis surveillance and control. Here we provide a presentation of the disease, its current status in France, and the role played by ANSES.

As they disperse in the environment after application, the active substances in pesticides can degrade into one or more other compounds called "metabolites". Some of these substances then end up in drinking water. In order to guarantee consumer health, ANSES provides the Directorate General for Health with scientific benchmarks that are invaluable for monitoring tap water quality. To do this, the Agency uses a method for identifying those pesticide metabolites whose presence in drinking water warrants priority attention.

In France, noroviruses are the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in all age groups. In this article, we take a look at the source of these viruses and how they are transmitted.

Vitamin C is involved in the formation of collagen and plays an important role in the defence against oxidative stress. Find out more about its role, the foods in which it is found, and the risks of deficiency.

Vitamin B9 is essential for certain functions of the body, particularly cell renewal. In which foods is it found? Which population groups are most likely to be consuming inadequate amounts? What are the health risks of this inadequate intake? All the answers to these questions are in this article.

Salt, which consists almost entirely of sodium chloride, is necessary for the functioning of the body. However, consuming too much of it can lead to the development of certain diseases. Find out which foods are high in salt and read our recommendations for limiting your intake.

Iodine is vital to the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Find out about its importance to the body, the health risks in the event of excess or deficiency, and the foods containing it.

Iron is mainly needed to help the body transport and use oxygen. Find out which foods are rich in iron, the risks associated with iron deficiency, and which population groups need special attention.