This study was conducted for the purpose of providing basic data for improving the food radiation safety management system in Seoul.
In order to review the food radiation safety management system in Seoul, the radiation inspection records for 11 years since 2012 were reviewed, and cross-comparison was made with the dietary life data of Seoul citizens. As a result, it was found that not all of the frequently consumed and highly consumed foods of Seoul citizens were included in the radiation inspections. We confirmed that it was necessary to improve the comprehensiveness of food by considering the frequently and highly consumed food of Seoul citizens and reflecting the diversity of dietary life, when establishing a radioactivity inspection plan. In addition, we confirmed the need to establish a periodic inspection system for foods in which even trace amounts of radioactivity have been detected more than once.
As a result of an online survey on food radiation risk awareness with 1,000 Seoul citizens, it was classified into four types of public behavior according to the level of problem recognition and constraint recognition on food radiation risk: Problem-facing behavior, constrained behavior, fatalistic behavior, and routine behavior. Socio-demographic characteristics and appropriate risk communication strategies were suggested according to public behavior types.
Finally, in order to improve the food radiation safety management system in Seoul, it is necessary to systematize and strengthen food radiation safety management, establish a user-friendly system for disclosing the results of radiation inspections and information, guide and publicize the food radiation safety management system for the health-vulnerable class such as infants and toddlers based on daycare centers and schools, and introduce a two-way risk communication system.