The environment in which we live, work, learn and play has an impact on our health. A healthy living environment is safe and attractive, invites everyone to engage with one another, promotes healthy behaviours, and is pleasant to live in. RIVM shares knowledge and provides information on the healthy design of our environment and the influence of the physical and social environment on health.

Every day we make choices about what we eat and drink. A healthy, safe, and sustainable diet is crucial for healthy aging and keeping the planet liveable. RIVM is committed to promoting healthy, safe, and sustainable eating habits in the Netherlands. We investigate what works and what does not, map the latest scientific insights, and advise government, professionals, and the public. In this way, we contribute to a healthier food environment. Click on the tiles below to learn more about specific topics.

The Quality Programme for Agricultural Products (KAP) database contains chemical monitoring data in food and animal feed. These data are from measurements of pesticide residues, residues of veterinary drugs and several contaminants, such as acrylamide, mycotoxins, PFAS and heavy metals. The data originate from monitoring programs, and are sent by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) and Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR) and recorded centrally in the KAP-database.

The level of food safety in the Netherlands is extremely high, and has been for many years. It is nevertheless important to remain alert to potential threats. Food can contain micro-organisms which may cause illness. Micro-organisms may enter the food chain for instance during production or during home preparation.

Food consumption data provide insight into the consumption of foods, intake of macro- and micro-nutrients. Also of potential harmful chemical substances and into food and nutrition trends. Food consumption data are essential for formulating and evaluating food policy, for public information purposes and for scientific research. Collection of food consumption data has been carried out since 1987 under the authority of the Netherlands Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. 

The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) manages the Dutch Food Composition Database (NEVO). This database contains data on the nutritional value of foods. This includes energy and nutrients, such as protein, carbohydrates, fat and fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. NEVO is the official food composition database of The Netherlands, with high quality data. The source of each value is known. All nutritional values are accessible on a website: NEVO-online.