JCCU has been conducting 'Survey of radioactive substance in-home meals' for nine years since FY2011 and on March 5, 2020, the results for 2019 were released.

This time the survey period was from June 19, 2019, to February 3, 2020, with a target number of 235 households of co-op members from 17 prefectures.

The two-day meals from each household were made into one sample, mixed together and examined for cesium levels using a germanium semiconductor detector. In this survey, radioactive cesium was not detected in all samples. For the six consecutive years since FY2014, radioactive cesium had not been detected. Comparing the investigation results in 2019 with that in the past eight years, the following results have been summarized.

On the amount of the radioactive cesium per 1 kg of the meal, the radioactive cesium beyond the detection limit was not detected in any of the samples investigated in the nine years from 2011 to 2019. Thus for six consecutive years, radioactive cesium beyond the detection limit has not been detected. 

In each year of investigation from 2011 to 2013, some amount of radioactive cesium was detected but the detection ratio and the maximum value of radioactive cesium have been reduced with each passing year, however, from 2014 no radioactive cesium has been detected for six consecutive years. As a result of having investigated 2,829 samples in nine years, it could be inferred that the assumption that one could continuously be eating meals containing 1 Bq/kg or more of radioactive cesium is extremely low.

 The estimated internal radiation exposure dose from the meal (radioactive cesium) has become progressively lower from 2011 to 2013. From 2014 to 2019, radioactive cesium could not be detected and therefore the internal exposure dose is considered to be equal or less than the level recorded in 2013.

 Radioactive potassium (Potassium 40), which is included in food regardless of nuclear disasters, was detected in all samples with a value of 11- 64 Bq/kg as was the same in the results from 2011 to 2018. Hence the internal radiation exposure dose of radioactivity per year would be 0.035- 0.27 mSv. This result is the same as in the past eight years.

・ I didn't know how much radioactive substances contained especially in homemade vegetables and dried plums (umeboshi), so I was worried and decided to cooperate in this investigation. Surveys are important for protecting the future environment of children, and I wish the results and these initiatives will be communicated to the world.

・ Thank you for conducting an intake survey every year and I would like to express my appreciation. It seems that some people are still worried about food safety, and I think the positive results of this investigation will dissolve their anxiety.

・ It is important to understand the effect of radioactivity based on the results of this investigation. I am grateful for the opportunity given me to participate in this survey.

・ I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in this investigation every year. I live in Fukushima and I am interested to know the effect of radiation. I feel a sense of security for conducting this investigation.

・ It is my first time to participate in the survey. Since I have young children, I have long been interested in how much radioactive substance is in-home meals. Co-op provides a lot of information on the food production areas and that makes me feel more secured. Overall the initiative is a good one.

Plans for the next investigation.

 JCCU will continue this investigation in 2020 to disseminate the right information to co-op members nationwide and the general public. The results will be announced around March 2021.

 JCCU will continue to communicate risks regarding radioactive substances to the general public by explaining the investigation results and its significance.