News | RIVM

Grey heron infected with West Nile virus

A grey heron in the Noord-Holland-Noord region has tested positive for the West Nile virus. The virus is rare in the Netherlands.

Bas van de Meulengraaf

Patient infected with West Nile virus in the Arnhem region

In the past week, six human infections with the West Nile virus have been detected in the Netherlands.

First West Nile virus patient in the Netherlands

A male patient has been diagnosed with the West Nile virus last week. The man has not been abroad recently. He may have contracted the virus in the region of Utrecht due to a mosquito bite.

EFSA agrees with RIVM that potential effect of BPA on the immune system requires further attention

RIVM expressed concerns on the effects of bisphenol a (BPA) on the immune system in a report issued in March 2016.

RIVM and German BfR enter cooperation agreement on animal protection and food safety

The German Federal Institute of Risk Assessment (BfR) and the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, RIVM have signed a cooperation agreement, focused on developing new sci

RIVM recommends more stringent EU standards BPA

More stringent European standards for safe exposure of workers and consumers to bisphenol A (BPA) were proposed in 2014 and 2015.

Breakthrough on cumulative risk assessment exposure to pesticides in food

The European Commission, Member States and EFSA have taken a major step forward in their work on assessing the cumulative risks from exposure to pesticides in food.

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.