Exposure to combination of chemicals appears to be too high, health risks unclear The food and drinking water that people consume include chemicals that have effects on health. Among them are substances, such as lead, which are known to have a negative effect on intelligence or development of the brain.
Darker cigarettes and other measures to make cigarettes less appealing There are a number of measures that can be implemented to make cigarettes less appealing and less addictive. For example, manufacturers could make cigarettes a darker colour. They could also stop using ingredients like sugars and flavourings.
RIVM prepares a recommended list of banned substances in tobacco products and e-cigarettes The goal of the European Tobacco Products Directive is to make tobacco products and e-cigarettes less harmful, addictive and attractive. The directive does not specifically state which substances are not allowed in tobacco products and e-cigarettes.
Sustained avian flu outbreak is the most remarkable outbreak in 2021 discussed in Zoonoses Report The outbreak of the H5N1 variant of avian flu was the most remarkable outbreak in 2021. In October of that year, the Netherlands experienced the start of the biggest outbreak of avian flu since 2003.
More people sick as a result of food from their own kitchen In 2021, the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) and the Municipal Public Health Service (GGD) received 14% more reports of outbreaks of food-related infections than in 20
RIVM: seven e-cigarette flavourings with tobacco-taste pose health risk The Dutch government only wants to allow 23 e-cigarette flavourings with a tobacco-taste. RIVM examined whether these 23 flavourings are harmful to people’s health.
New WHO Collaborating Centre hosted by RIVM combines laboratory preparedness and biorisk RIVM has been designated WHO Collaborating Centre for Laboratory Preparedness and Response for High Threat Pathogens and Biorisk by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Estimated costs of foodborne infections 140 million euros lower in 2020 In 2020, the estimated costs of foodborne infections in the Netherlands were 140 million euros lower than in the preceding year. This corresponds to a 30% decrease. ANP
Zoonoses Report 2020 focuses on emerging zoonoses The COVID-19 pandemic and the outbreak of the West Nile Virus in 2020 show that so-called emerging zoonoses pose a risk to the Netherlands. ANP
Awareness and use of cigarillos, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches relatively low The awareness and use of cigarillos, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches is relatively low. This is apparent from research by RIVM among Dutch people aged 13 and older, commissioned by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport.