抄録
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, has a population of over 13 million, and is visited by many tourists. Large quantities of food, including domestic foods and imported food from every corner of the world, are distributed and consumed in Tokyo.
If a food-related accident occurs, it may affect the health of many residents and tourists in Tokyo. In order to ensure food safety, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government conducts inspection, monitoring and awareness raising activities in response to changes in the situation and in accordance with laws and regulations.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health has an examination and research sector, a food safety control section, and a food and pharmaceutical information unit, and contributes to ensuring food safety in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
This article introduces the efforts of the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health concerning the inspection of pesticide residues, radioactive substances, and food additives.
Regarding pesticide residues, we described how to respond to the positive list system for pesticide residues in crops, which was enforced by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in 2006, for cases exceeding the maximum residue limits of crops, and cases of pesticide contamination accidents in frozen foods.
In addition, we introduced examples of radioactive material examinations of foods sold in Tokyo area, before and after the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station. Further, regarding food additive examination in foods, an overview, examples of violations of the laws, and ideas for dealing with a large number of administrative specimens have been introduced. As the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games are coming soon, we have urgent tasks to strengthen the health crisis management system, and to conduct testing and inspection work in accordance with international standards. It is important to start solving these tasks and ensure food safety.
