Landeslabor Berlin-Brandenburg: About one in eight food samples had defects last year

State Lab: About One in Eight Food Samples Fails - Berlin food safety tests reveal alarming flaws in dietary supplements

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Last year, the Landeslabor Berlin-Brandenburg found legal defects in about one in eight food samples (around 12.4 percent). In total, around 27,570 food samples, including wine and wine products, were tested for the two federal states, as stated in the annual report for 2024. However, only a very small number of foods were assessed as harmful to health (0.2 percent) or not suitable for consumption (nearly 1 percent).

The largest share of the defects was due to defects or violations in labeling and packaging, as explained by Landeslabordirector Mike Neumann when presenting the results. It is important to note that the samples are not representative of the quality of all foods in **Berlin** and Brandenburg. Foods with a higher risk are often tested more frequently.

**Dietary supplements** particularly often defective

The Landeslabor found an above-average number of defects in dietary supplements. In about half of the 399 samples tested, something was not in order, as can be seen from the report. However, there is no risk to food safety, said Nils Niederland, head of the department of pharmaceuticals, medical products and special **foods**. Only in one sample was a harmful effect found.

Dietary supplements are legally considered foods and can therefore be placed on the market without approval.

In the analyses of the Landeslabor, most of the defects were due to defects in labeling or unauthorized health claims. Manufacturers, for example, promise performance or vitality on the packaging without specifying how the product is supposed to help, explained Niederland. Misleading is also an issue. On some labels, for example, it is advertised that the product does not contain preservatives - but preservatives are not permitted for such dietary supplements by law, explained Niederland.

Particular caution with products from online trading

Another problem, according to the experts, are undeclared substances, i.e. fake or adulterated products. "These are predominantly samples from the internet." An example: In an edible paste, the scientists found the active ingredient Sildenafil, better known as **Viagra**, which is taken for erectile dysfunction. However, nothing was listed on the ingredients list, said Niederland.

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The Landeslabor examines not only foods, but also pharmaceuticals, tobacco products, cosmetics, waters, feed, or seed, as well as numerous samples in connection with animal diseases. In 2024, a total of 677,052 samples were examined. In animal disease diagnostics, around 579,110 samples were analyzed last year. This included, for example, African swine fever, the West Nile virus, or bluetongue disease.

5 food samples per 1,000 inhabitants

Around 5 foods are examined per 1,000 inhabitants per year, explained Neumann. The products are selected by the official food monitoring authorities in Berlin and Brandenburg. For 80 percent of the products, an already known or suspected risk is the selection criterion. The remaining 20 percent are selected on a case-by-case basis, for example if there are more EHEC cases again. Citizens can only submit samples indirectly via the food monitoring authorities to the Landeslabor.

* **Berlin** * **Food** * **Brandenburg** * **Dietary supplements** * **Viagra** * **Wine**