A laboratory can analyse foodstuffs for the presence of additives, pesticides, heavy metals and other contaminants. Combining this information with the consumption patterns of the Belgian population in the food consumption surveys [2] allows us to calculate the population's intake of additives and contaminants. We can also compare this with the legally permitted standards. These analyses can be performed for chronic exposure, but also in the context of an acute crisis (such as the “dioxin crisis”).