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Risk Communication
The BfR enters into dialogue with the public through its press and PR activities as well as the events it organises. At the BfR
“Science Slam”, for example, the scientists from the institute outlined their work in short presentations.
The BfR is developing new formats with the aim of of-
fering a wider range of services to existing users and
reaching new target groups. One highlight of the BfR
public relations work was the release of the app “Poi-
soning Accidents Among Children” in August 2013 with
the Federal Minister at that time, Ilse Aigner. Within four
months, more than 90,000 users had installed the appli-
cation on their smartphones. The new twitter account and
YouTube channel are other notable examples of the BfR's
work in public relations.
As part of a workshop held in January 2013, around
20 journalists were informed on food safety issues dealt
with by the BfR. A wide range of issues was covered,
spanning the entire production chain all the way from
the farm to the plate. At the BfR's Alt-Marienfelde site,
the so-called “carry-over” tests – tests for the transfer of
undesired substances and microorganisms from feed to
food-producing animals – were discussed. Press confer-
ences were held as part of the international symposia
“Safety of Tattoo Inks” and “Antimicrobial Resistance in
the Food Chain”.
Facts and figures on press activities
3,065,560
Visits to the BfR website
120,074
Dispatched publications (brochures etc.)
93,000
Downloads of the BfR app “Poisoning Accidents Among
Children”
16,011
Views on the BfR YouTube channel
7,098
Subscribers to the BfR Newsletter
4,272
Mentions of the BfR in newspaper articles
1,184
Queries from the public (in writing)
68
TV interviews
60
Radio interviews
