[Migration of Metals Contained in Laminated Films for Food Packaging].

Multilayer laminated films are widely used as food packaging materials. The substances contained in these films have the potential to migrate into food in contact, but the actual situation is unknown. In this study, we first determined the contents of 24 elements in 42 food laminate bags by ICP-OES and ICP-MS.

[Validation Study on an Improved Quantitative Method for Aflatoxins in Foods].

As an analytical method for aflatoxins in foods, the analytical method based on the notification by the director of the Food Safety Department, Pharmaceutical and Food Safety Bureau, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (August 16, 2011) has been established. In order to improve the operability and analytical performance of the conventional method, this study aimed to construct an improved method that optimized selection of immunoaffinity column (IAC) and purifying condition, and omitted evaporation after the purification with IAC. In the recovery test performed by adding 2.

[Nomenclature and Identification Method of Non-Permitted Dyes of Patent Blue Group].

Violation of the Food Sanitation Act regarding detection of Patent Blue V, which is one of the non-permitted dyes for food in Japan, in imported food occurs every year. With respect to the identification of dyes of Patent Blue group, in some cases, each dye has several different names, and in other cases, different dyes have the same name. Thus, there is a risk that the detected dye is misidentified with other dyes of Patent Blue group.

[Development and Validation of Simultaneous Analysis of Minerals and Toxic Elements in Foods by ICP-MS].

We have developed and validated an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) method for the simultaneous analysis of minerals and toxic elements in foods. Food samples were digested by microwave irradiation to prepare solutions for measurement by ICP-MS. Optimal gas mode and internal standard for each element were selected as appropriate.

[Determination of uranium in spinach].

After the severe accident at the Fukushima-1 Nuclear Power Plant in March 2011, radioactive contamination of food has become a matter of serious concern in Japan. There is considerable information about radioactive iodine and cesium, but little is known about uranium contamination. We determined uranium content in spinach by the Japanese official method (Manual on Radiation Measurement of Food in Emergency Situations).