Japan Finalizes New Standard for Food Radioactivity Fukushima Prefecture

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan held a meeting on drug and food sanitation on the 24th to discuss new standards for radioactivity in food. The meeting decided to limit the standard of "general food" such as fish and vegetables to 100 becquerels per kilogram, which is 1/4 to 1/20 of the current tentative standard value. The new standard will be substantially more stringent than the current standard. With the exception of rice, beef and processed foods, new standards will apply from April 1.

According to reports, the "milk" category and the newly established "baby food" category have a ceiling of 50 becquerels per kilogram, and "beverage water" is classified as 10 becquerels per kilogram.

In the current provisional standards, "vegetables," "cereals," "meat, eggs, fish, and other" are 500 becquerels per kilogram, and "milk, dairy products," and "drinking water," 200 bucks per kilogram. Leer.

According to reports, in order to avoid causing chaos in the market and consumers, Japan’s Province of Shoula has taken transitional measures on some food products. The provisional standards for rice production in 2011 will apply. In 2012, rice production will be applied to the new standard from October 1, taking into consideration the timing of harvesting and distribution. Beef is also used for frozen products and will be applied from October 1st.

The processed foods produced, processed and imported prior to March 31 will be subject to provisional criteria until the end of their shelf life. Products manufactured, processed and imported after April 1 will be subject to new standards.

The Ministry of Health and Labour reaffirmed at the meeting special considerations regarding the impact of internal radiation on children’s health and the calculation basis for the new standard. During the period from October to December last year, the results of food inspections conducted by various local governments showed that Fukushima Prefecture accounted for 9.25% of the foods that exceeded the upper limit of the new standard, and 1.13% outside Fukushima Prefecture.