The new year gets off to a healthy start with a theme week celebrating "German Apple Day”. No other fruit is as popular in Germany as the apple. On average, every German consumes around 9kg of apples a year - the equivalent of almost 60 apples.

In the course of the EU Greendeal, maximum levels for perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in certain foods, are to be newly included in Regulation (EC) 1881/2006.

New Regulation (EU) 2021/2142 amending Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 as regards maximum levels of opium alkaloids in certain foodstuffs.

As soon as the Christmas markets are open, they are not far away: Almonds. Especially in the run-up to Christmas, roasted almonds become a favorite snack for Germans. Even without the caramelized coating, the little nuts are true powerhouses.

By now, many of you will have opened a few doors of an Advent calendar. Likewise, every year certain Christmas treats are specifically tested for undesirable contaminants, e.g. mineral oil residues in Advent calendar chocolate.