The Division of Biochemistry covers a broad range of research field, including analytical chemistry, allergy and immunology, molecular cell biology and radiochemistry to address fundamental questions on complex biological systems. Allergenicity of genome-edited foods, substances in medical products/cosmetics/quasi-drugs are currently important research topics. Handling and safety management of radioactive materials and survey of radioactive contamination in fresh food products are also within our work.
 Novel foods and substances can unexpectedly cause allergic and toxic reactions and other adverse effects. For safety use of the products, allergenicity and toxicity need to be assessed from a scientific point of view. Our mission is to predict and evaluate substances that may show allergenicity and toxicity based on solid scientific evidence to contribute to risk assessment.

Announcement

  • 2023 March 9
    Walnut was added to “specific allergenic ingredient” (mandatory labeling items) in the Japanese food allergen labeling system.
  • 2019 September 19
    Almond was added to“subspecific allergenic ingredient” (labeling recommended items) in the Japanese food allergen labeling system.
  • 2019 August
    Detection methods for detecting wheat MON71300 and potato J3 and F10 were added as part of the partial "amendment of detection method for food applying recombinant DNA technology".
  • 2016 November 17
    Inspection Law for Approved Genetically Modified Food was partially added according to Partial Amendment of Food Labeling Standards (6th revision).
  • 2016 August 24
    Partial Amendment of Detection Method for Recombinant DNA Technology Applied Food for which safety has not been assessed yet. (Detection method of “wheat MON71700 and MON71800” and “Method to verify equivalence of detection methods” were newly established.)

What’s new

  • 2024 July 1
    Dr. Keisuke Soga appointed as a section chief at Section 2.
  • 2024 April 1
    Dr. Yuki Haraya appointed as a section chief at Section 4.
  • 2024 February 1
    DataBase on Toxic Plants and Mushrooms (MushPlant) website has been updated.
  • 2023 October 1
    Dr. Norimasa Tamehiro appointed as a section chief at Section 3.
  • 2023 June 1
    Dr. Reiko Adachi appointed as a section chief at Section 2.
  • 2023 April 1
    Dr. Norihito Shibata appointed as a division head.
  • 2021 August 2
    Allergen Database for Food Safety (ADFS) website has been opened.

Division of Biochemistry, National Institute of Health Sciences

3-25-26 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki City, Kanagawa, 210-9501, JAPAN

TEL+81-44-270-6600 FAX+81-44-270-6611

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