The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) presented its food origin research during a dynamic showcase at the Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, from October 8 to 10. The event attracted thousands of visitors, primarily from Japan, who experienced live demonstrations and expert discussions aimed at highlighting Australian scientific advancements in food provenance.
Shaun Jenkinson, CEO of ANSTO, described the occasion as a valuable opportunity to demonstrate how nuclear and other scientific techniques can address the pressing challenge of food origin verification. He noted that this initiative benefits consumers, governments, and industries alike. ANSTO was among a select group of scientific organisations, participating alongside representatives from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, contributing to the Australian Pavilion.
Engaging Live Show Captivates Audience
The event featured an engaging 23-minute live show, styled like a Japanese television game show, which encouraged audience participation. Hosted by Bridget Murphy and Sarah Tyler from ANSTO’s education team, the presentation included interactive challenges such as “Guess the word” and “Where does the sushi come from?” Contestants, including a food critic played by Leah Mitchell and Dr. Debashish Mazumder, a scientist, competed to identify the origins of sushi. Using portable X-ray fluorescence scanner technology, Dr. Mazumder confirmed that the sushi was indeed from Japan, delighting the audience.
The show integrated visually appealing elements, including videos and animations that illustrated the concept of Country, created by Indigenous artist Linday Clarke and animated by Griffith Film School student Helena Cartner. Two additional videos explained X-ray technology and its importance in tracing food origins, while the hosts interacted with a giant animated talking fish named Kai the Koi. The Pavilion welcomed an estimated 15,000 visitors each day, with the overall Expo attracting over 28 million attendees from May to October.
Content and technical production for the show were overseen by Susan Bogle, Senior Science Communications Manager at ANSTO. She emphasized the need for cultural sensitivity and effective communication tailored for the Japanese audience. Collaborative insights were provided by Dr. Takeshi Iimoto from the University of Tokyo and Yoko Nara from the Japan Atomic Energy Agency, both of whom attended the shows and praised ANSTO for its engaging performances.
Expert Panel Discusses Food Provenance
An exclusive VIP event with approximately 40 guests, including key stakeholders from Japanese and Australian governments and industries, followed the live shows. The expert panel examined challenges related to food origin determination, ANSTO’s authentication methods, and perspectives from industry and government. The Commissioner-General for Australia at the Expo, Nancy Gordon, welcomed attendees and facilitated simultaneous translation in English and Japanese.
Moderated by Prof. Jesmond Sammut, Deputy Dean at the University of New South Wales, the panel featured experts such as Dr. Mazumder and representatives from various research institutions. ANSTO showcased a video detailing the science behind food origin verification, highlighting the adaptation of its portable X-ray fluorescence scanner for field assessments and addressing the global issue of food fraud.
Emceeing the event was Leah Mitchell, a senior government advisor at ANSTO. Dr. Mazumder expressed his intention to collaborate further with Japanese partners in academia, industry, and government to enhance resources related to food provenance. Funding for ANSTO’s participation in the Expo was provided by the Australian Government, underscoring the importance of international collaboration in scientific research.
The Australian Pavilion’s initiatives at the Expo served not only as a platform for showcasing scientific advancements but also as a means of fostering international dialogue about food safety and authenticity.
