Germ formation in heated food, safety of food from distribution stations, acrylamide in dried berries

Federal Office presents current results of food monitoring

27-Nov-2025
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At their annual press conference in Berlin, the Federal Office of consumer protection and food safety (BVL) and the State Working Group for Consumer Protection (LAV) presented selected findings on food safety in Germany. For example, they provided information on how to effectively counteract the proliferation of germs in heated food, that food regulations are not always complied with in distribution stations and that dried berries hardly contribute to the acrylamide contamination of food.

Fortunately, only a few samples of cooked pasta and cooked rice in communal catering were found to contain pathogenic bacteria. In order to prevent bacterial spores that were not killed during cooking from developing into bacteria capable of growing again as the temperature slowly drops, heated food should be kept at a temperature of at least 60 degrees Celsius until it is consumed and long standing times should be avoided. The following applies to leftovers: allow to cool quickly, store in the refrigerator and consume as soon as possible.

In many cases, the inspectors found hygienic deficiencies at food distribution stations. It was also frequently the case that no responsible person had been registered with the local food control authority or that the registered person had not attended the required training or instruction.

Chilled leaf lettuce that is labeled as washed and ready to eat can be contaminated with germs that are harmful to health. Sensitive consumer groups with weakened immune systems should avoid eating such products as a precaution and instead use fresh and thoroughly washed ingredients for salads they prepare themselves.

Vegan cheese substitutes may contain impurities of mineral oil components. Caution is advised for infants, children and frequent consumers of all ages, particularly due to the toxicological properties of aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH).

A study of dried berries revealed only low acrylamide levels. And playing with wobble mass is also safe for children as long as parents or supervisors follow the manufacturer's recommendations regarding the minimum age and ensure that the wobble mass is not put in the mouth.

Note: This article has been translated using a computer system without human intervention. LUMITOS offers these automatic translations to present a wider range of current news. Since this article has been translated with automatic translation, it is possible that it contains errors in vocabulary, syntax or grammar. The original article in German can be found here.

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Topic world Food safety

Food safety is at the heart of the food and beverage industry. It ensures that the food we eat every day is not only nutritious, but also free of harmful contaminants. From field to plate, the industry monitors and regulates every step of the process with strict quality controls, advanced testing methods and continuous research.

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Topic world Food safety

Topic world Food safety

Food safety is at the heart of the food and beverage industry. It ensures that the food we eat every day is not only nutritious, but also free of harmful contaminants. From field to plate, the industry monitors and regulates every step of the process with strict quality controls, advanced testing methods and continuous research.

1 products
5+ whitepaper
1 brochures