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Berberine-containing plants are used in food supplements primarily to regulate blood glucose and cholesterol levels, although no health claims are authorised at European level. To identify conditions likely to ensure the safety of use of these food supplements, ANSES examined the health effects and especially the toxicological profile of berberine. Following its expert appraisal, the Agency confirms that proven pharmacological effects occur from the dose of 400 mg/day in adults but does not rule out the possibility of lower doses also causing such effects. Therefore, the Agency recommends undertaking further studies to identify the minimum dose associated with pharmacological effects, to provide a basis for defining the regulations applicable to berberine-containing products. However, in light of the available toxicological data and the concentrations observed in the identified supplements, the safety of use of these food supplements cannot currently be guaranteed. Thus, ANSES advises certain population groups, including children and adolescents, pregnant and breastfeeding women and certain vulnerable populations, to refrain from consuming berberine-containing food supplements. The Agency also draws the attention of healthcare professionals to berberine's ability to interact with numerous drugs, which could compromise the efficacy of certain treatments.

Today, ANSES is issuing its annual calls for research projects as part of the National Research Programme on Environmental and Occupational Health. The 2020 edition of this programme will include two calls for projects with total funding of around 7 million euros: a general one on the themes of environmental and occupational health, which includes a budget of 2 million euros devoted to the topic of endocrine disruptors, and a second specific one on the theme of radiofrequencies and health.

Following the 2017 salmonellosis outbreak associated with the consumption of powdered infant formula, ANSES was asked to assess the hygiene, surveillance and control measures implemented in the manufacturing sector for these products, in order to improve the control of microbiological hazards. Following its expert appraisal, the Agency reiterates the importance of rigorously applying general hygiene measures to prevent contamination of formula. It also underlines the need to strengthen environmental monitoring of production sites and proposes some operational tools for this purpose. Lastly, the Agency recommends that the industry develop a guide to good hygiene practices and HACCP principles for this industrial sector.