Soya products that trigger allergies - salmon that contain dioxin in their fat mass - diabetic foods that are simply superfluous... The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment has published statements to reliably inform consumers as well as users in business, politics and administration about health risks. But how is this risk communication received by the respective target group? Are the reports comprehensible and transparent? How useful are they? The IZT was commissioned to scientifically evaluate the health statements of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment and to provide practical recommendations for action. In summer 2008, the IZT therefore carried out consumer surveys in Berlin districts. A nationwide online survey was also launched in July 2008.

Public awareness of potential health risks, particularly from food, has increased significantly in recent years.

As part of its work, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment published statements in order to provide reliable information to consumers as well as users in industry, politics and administration. Its aim was to ensure that the information provided was recognised, interpreted and implemented appropriately. The information on this important topic had to be comprehensible and deal transparently with information sources or uncertainties, for example, so that it was useful and usable for consumers and other target groups.

  • Effective risk communication therefore consisted firstly in the fulfilment of the three communication objectives: Comprehensibility, transparency and usability.
  • Secondly, effective risk communication had to be geared towards the respective target group.
  • Thirdly, different risks had to be communicated according to their respective risk classes.

Against this background, the communication of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment was analysed in depth as part of this research project. As a result, scientifically sound and practical recommendations for action were developed for target group-specific government risk communication.

As part of the research project, the health risks known to consumers were analysed on the basis of consumer surveys conducted in public offices and on the Internet.

Subsequently, in-depth analyses were carried out to determine whether the communication criteria of comprehensibility, transparency and usability were achieved in the development and dissemination of health assessments by the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment. This research step was carried out not only with consumers, but also with representatives from companies, administrations, associations and the media.