Food Safety Seminars in Japan Highlight School Lunch Practices and Allergen Testing

The Japanese Society of Food Hygiene’s Hokkaido‑Tohoku Block held a multi‑speaker seminar in Akita on 30 January 2026, focusing on the latest research for food safety and security. Presentations included award‑winning studies on shrimp‑crab allergen detection, a low‑cadmium rice variety called “Akita Komachi R,” and a panel on precision management and skill testing. The event was free to attend, with a post‑seminar fee of ¥6,000, and also featured an exhibition area. A related seminar took place on 28 February 2026 in Sendai, covering updates to food‑additive analysis guidelines.

Separately, the NPO Food Safety and Assurance Association (SFSS) hosted the second session of its “Food Risk Communication Forum 2026” on 28 June 2026 in Tokyo (both in‑person and online). Experts from the Saitama School Nutritionists Association, Fuji Sangyo Co., Ltd., and Kanto Gakuin University discussed school‑lunch production, hygiene standards, HACCP implementation, temperature control, and strategies to address staff shortages. The forum highlighted the Japanese government’s move toward free elementary‑school meals and emphasized practical measures to ensure safe, nutritious lunches.