Institute of Food Research, NARO

The Food Safety and Authenticity Group is developing technologies to ensure the safety and reliability of agricultural and food products in the food supply chain from farm to table. Specifically, we aim to solve various food sanitation problems by developing technologies for the simple and rapid detection and control of foodborne pathogens, elucidating the characteristics of harmful chemical substances such as mycotoxins produced by fungi and developing analytical methods for these contaminants. We also elucidate the physiology and ecology of stored-product insect pests that pose problems in the storage of grains and cereals and develop control technologies. In addition, through the development of methods for the detection of genetically modified agricultural products, the development of analytical methods that ensure the authenticity of foods and food ingredients, and the provision of technologies that contribute to ensuring the reliability of radioactivity measurement in food, we are also working to build a technological foundation for providing food information that leads to the assurance and security for consumers' right for food selection.