Germany to Consolidate BfR, MRI and BZfE into New Federal Institute

The German Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food announced that the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), the Max Rubner Institute (MRI) and the Federal Center for Nutrition (BZfE) will be merged into a new Federal Institute for Risk Assessment and Nutrition. The restructuring aims to combine expertise in food safety, nutrition security and risk communication under a single authority, improving consumer protection and research efficiency. The first integration step begins on 1 January 2028, when the national reference laboratories of the Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety will be transferred to the BfR and key tasks of the BZfE will move to the MRI. The new institute is scheduled to become fully operational by 2029.

Minister Alois Rainer (CSU) presented the plan as a way to create a holistic approach to food‑related health issues and to strengthen the independence of scientific advice in the sector.