The summary of risk response on radioactive substances contained in food items in the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear accident

Abstract

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident occurred after the Great East Japan Earthquake on 11 March 2011. The regulations for food items contaminated with radioiodine or radioactive cesium were introduced immediately after the accident by establishing a tentative limit for the contamination level. These regulations excluded or minimized the excessive internal radiation exposure in Japan. Subsequently, the Food Safety Commission of the Japanese Cabinet Office established based on the Food Safety Basic Act evaluated the influence of food items on human health, and the information was reviewed to establish finalized reference values according to the Food Sanitation Act. This study aimed to compile a summary from published sources to examine the risk analysis conducted by the Japanese government over 5 years since the disaster occurred, which was carried out to prevent internal exposure to radioactive substances in food. Findings revealed that items exceeding the reference value were mostly found in the item group not under cultivation/feeding management. In addition, the risk management measures to prevent internal exposure to radioactive substances in food have proven to be effective.