“Identify risks – Protect health” – this is the guiding principle for the work of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) in the field of consumer health protection. The Institute was set up in November 2002 is the scientific agency of the Federal Republic of Germany which is responsible for preparing expert reports and opinions on food and feed safety as well as on the safety of substances and products. The BfR performs the role of the “German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R)”. BfR reports to the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL). It enjoys independence in respect of its scientific assessments and research. Its tasks include the assessment of existing and the identification of new health risks, the drawing up of recommendations on risk reduction, and the communication of this process. The results of its work serve as the basis for scientific advice to the relevant federal ministries.