News

Cases of vitamin D overdose have recently been reported in young children following the use of food supplements fortified with this vitamin. These cases present as hypercalcaemia (excessive calcium in the blood), which can have serious consequences on the kidneys such as lithiasis or nephrocalcinosis (calcium deposition in the kidneys). In response to this, ANSES, the French Health Products Safety Agency (ANSM), paediatric scientific societies, the National College of Midwives and French poison control centres are alerting healthcare professionals and parents to the risk of overdose associated with giving vitamin D supplements to children, especially infants.

ANSES has just published its 2021 work programme, which sets the course for its actions in all its areas of expertise. This programme outlines the work that the Agency will carry out in response to formal requests or as part of major national public health plans, as well as its research activities and its European and international commitments.

Protecting the health of 90% of European children from birth to three years of age from exposure to hazardous substances: this is the aim of the restriction proposal concerning disposable diapers that ANSES has submitted under REACh, the European chemicals regulation. It seeks to minimise the presence in these items of almost 200 substances, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxins, furans, PCBs and formaldehyde.

ANSES and its Belgian counterpart Sciensano have just renewed the long-standing agreements between them, first signed in 2009. The two agencies will continue their joint activities, mainly in the areas of diagnosis, research and reference relating to the pathogens responsible for epizootic diseases and zoonoses, and chemical agents likely to contaminate the food chain.