Max Rubner-Institut (MRI)
Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food
The Max Rubner-Institut (MRI) is the Federal Government’s research and advisory institution in the field of nutrition and food. It is part of the research division of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH). Its mission is to help policymakers reach scientific decisions by providing high-quality research and competent advice. Scientific independence, objectivity and top-level expertise are the foundations for fulfilling this role.
MRI’s headquarters are in Karlsruhe; other sites include Detmold, Kulmbach and Kiel. There is also a research station with dairy cows in Schädtbek, near Kiel. In five institutes and two centres, MRI conducts connected, interdisciplinary research as well as national and international collaborations.
MRI’s research focuses on health-related consumer protection. This involves both basic and applied research – practical and results-driven. Activities address the quality, safety and authenticity of foods as well as a balanced, sustainable diet. In this endeavour, particular attention is paid to population groups in phases of life with specific needs, from infants through to elderly people.
From foods to dietary patterns
A crucial aspect of MRI’s research is to take a holistic view of food: from production via processing to consumption. Work on food safety, hygiene and quality research includes testing for desirable ingredients and preventing undesirable substances. Issues related to sustainable nutrition and food safety are explored, amongst other things, in research on alternative sources of protein.
The nutritional and health effects within the body are examined from the molecular and cellular levels up to the entire organism. Of particular importance are the investigation of dietary behaviour and consideration of different dietary patterns – during all phases of life.
At MRI’s Human Studies Centre in Karlsruhe important studies are conducted on the health-related advantages and disadvantages of foods and dietary patterns. The results help to derive recommendations for healthy eating.
MRI is responsible for cross-generational National Nutrition Monitoring (nemo) through which representative data on the population’s dietary behaviour, food consumption, nutrient intake and nutritional status are collected. MRI’s product monitoring, which tracks the energy, sugar, fat and salt content of processed foods, is a key pillar of the federal government’s National Reduction and Innovation Strategy. Moreover, MRI maintains the German Nutrient Database (BLS) which contains the average nutritional values and energy content of more than 7,000 foodstuffs and dishes. It forms the basis for calculating nutrient intake from dietary surveys like nemo.
Collaborations
MRI’s scientists are involved in national and international research programmes in many different ways and are also represented on national and international boards and authorities. There is close cooperation with other BMLEH departmental research facilities as well as with the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, university and non-university research.
Max Rubner – the man behind the name
Max Rubner (1854-1932) was a physician and physiologist who laid the foundations of modern nutritional science. With his experimental work on the energy content of nutrients, he established the basis for the calorie charts that are still in use today. Energy balance, a topic that he explored, is more relevant today than ever.