Health protection in BW: Annual report 2023 on food and water

Health protection in BW: Annual report 2023 on food and water

The annual report 2023 On food surveillance in Baden-Württemberg provides important insights that not only affect the quality of food and drinking water, but also indicate social trends and regulatory challenges.

food surveillance - an important aspect of consumer protection

The health authorities of Baden-Württemberg carry out extensive checks every year to ensure the safety of food, drinking water and other products. In 2023, almost 108,000 inspection visits were carried out in around 68,000 food companies. Violations of regulations were found in 14 percent of controlled companies. Of almost 48,000 samples, which were also examined, about 16 percent were objected to. But only a minimal proportion of 0.3 percent was classified as harmful to health.

The influence on consumer confidence

Minister Peter Hauk emphasizes the importance of these controls for the trust of consumers in the quality of the products offered. "Consumers in the country can rely on the controls work well," said Hauk. The results show that the efforts of food surveillance bear fruit and that the quality of the water provided in Baden-Württemberg remains high, as almost 7,800 examined drinking water samples.

The "hot chip challenge"-an alarming trend

A worrying trend was the "hot chip challenge", which not only aimed at viral success in social media, but also harbors considerable health risks. With this challenge, people eat extremely sharp tortilla chips and film themselves. Excessive consumption can lead to serious health impairments. The Baden-Württemberg food surveillance authorities were forced to act immediately and to take these products from the market, which resulted in callbacks and sales bans. This shows how quickly social trends can also have negative health effects.

critical testing of tattoo agents

Another important topic this year was the examination of tattoo agents, particularly relevant in a society in which tattoos are becoming increasingly popular. During a special test, the authorities found that 63 percent of the colors tested had defects. Because of these risks, it is important to offer consumers both transparency and security.

ecological agriculture and its surveillance

The annual report also confirms the positive trend of the ecological agricultural approach in Baden-Württemberg. In 2023, around 560 eco products were examined, with the complaint ratio remained constantly low. This trust in organic food is crucial for the promotion of ecological cultivation methods and helps to increase the demand for sustainable products.

limit values ​​for ceramic goods - the need for action is recognized

Another critical point is the examination of ceramic goods for pollutants such as lead and cadmium. Although 50 samples met the legal requirements, outdated limit values ​​in legislation led to a need for action. The manufacturers must now take precautions to ensure security for consumers.

conclusion: security strategies strengthen the trust of consumers

Overall, the annual report 2023 shows that food surveillance in Baden-Württemberg is actively working to guarantee the security for consumers. Minister Hauk emphasizes that recalls and sales bans, as with the extremely sharp chips, still play an important role in avoiding health-hazardous products. At the same time, the pressure on manufacturers is increased to make your products safer. These approaches contribute to strengthening consumer confidence and promoting a responsible, healthy diet.

- Nag