JCCU received a "Special Prize" in the journalism division at the "Second Dietary Journalist Award" sponsored by the JAPAN FOODJOURNALIST ASSOCIATION (JFJ). The award ceremony was held on March 28, 2018.

The "Dietary Journalist Award" is a system that honors outstanding efforts by companies and organizations that have greatly contributed to consumer’s environmental conscious product selection, and the creation of a sustainable society through corporate environmental improvement efforts.

Also the system honors individuals who have remarkable achievements as journalists (including media) in the food category, and companies/organizations that are leaving behind-the-scenes achievements such as the "Investigation on the radioactive material intake from domestic meal" by JCCU. This large scale survey of intake of radioactive materials won JCCU the special prize.

Award comment by Akihiro YAMAKOSHI, manager of JCCU laboratory (picture by JFJ)

Since the fiscal 2011, just after the Great East Japan Earthquake and the subsequent TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, JCCU has been conducting a survey to find out the level of radioactive substances contained in two-day meals of about 250 households in 19 prefectures nationwide (number of households varies according to fiscal year). The result of the survey and related information is widely disseminated to consumers in an easy-to-understand manner.

A paper that summarizes the results of the survey from 2011 to 2014 has been published and received the 2016 “Best Paper Award” by the Japanese Society for Food Hygiene and Safety at a ceremony held on November 9, 2017.

Participants at the award ceremony (picture by JFJ)

JCCU will continue with the radioactive intake survey in future and share information and issues with co-op members nationwide and the general public.