News | RIVM

More people fall sick despite the decrease of outbreaks of food-borne infections

In 2014, fewer outbreaks of food-borne infections and food poisoning occurred in relation to previous years.

Flu season in the winter of 2014 / 2015 more severe and longer than preceding years

The flu epidemic in the winter of 2014 / 2015 lasted 21 weeks and as such was the longest epidemic ever recorded in the Netherlands. Nearly two million people suffered from flu-like symptoms.

RIVM Nutrition and Food Safety expert gets top risk assessment function at EFSA

As of November 1, Prof. Hans Verhagen will join the European Food Safety Authorithy (EFSA) in Parma, Italy as Head of the Risk Assessment and Scientific Assistance Department (RASA).

Potassium intake and risk for hyperkalaemia reviewed

It is nearly impossible to get an overdose of potassium from natural food sources.

Adequate limit value for pyrrolizidine alkaloids in herbal tea and herbal preparations

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are natural toxins occurring in a wide variety of plants, including herbs.

No health risks associated with foods and food supplements containing Krill and microalgae oils

Consumption of foods and food supplements that contain oil from microalgae Schizochytrium sp. and Krill oil do not cause harm to our health.

RIVM researchers win best paper award of the journal Risk Analysis

RIVM researchers Arie Havelaar and Arno Swart received the prestigious Best Paper Award 2014 of the Society for Risk Analysis.

Possibly more cases of gastroenteritis caused by antacids

In recent years the Netherlands has witnessed an increase in the number of cases of gastroenteritis caused by the Campylobacter bacterium.