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In this early autumn period, horse chestnuts, which grow and fall from the horse chestnut or conker tree, are frequently confused with sweet chestnuts, which come from the sweet or Spanish chestnut tree.

Every day, we are exposed to nitrites and nitrates through our diet. In light of current knowledge on their effects on human health, ANSES recommends reducing the population's exposure to these substances by taking proactive measures to limit dietary exposure. To that end, ANSES has identified several courses of action, in particular reducing the use of nitrites as additives in delicatessen meat, noting that this should be achieved in a controlled manner in order to avoid any increase in foodborne infections.

In an expert appraisal published today, ANSES highlights the presence of several classes of hazardous chemicals in supplies – pens, glue, pencils, correction tape, notebooks – used at school, home, and the office. In order to protect the health of consumers, especially that of children, the Agency stresses the need to review the regulations and step up the monitoring of products.

In France, there has recently been an increase in the number of people infected with the monkeypox virus, responsible for monkeypox infection, mainly in Europe. The virus may be transmitted through direct contact with someone who is ill, and through respiratory droplets. ANSES was asked to provide an urgent assessment of the risk of transmission of this virus via food.