Japan finds radiation above legal limit in beef: report
Tokyo (AFP) April 1, 2011 Japan has found radiation above the legal limit in beef from near a stricken nuclear plant, the first such finding in meat since a quake and tsunami triggered the atomic crisis, local media reported. The health ministry said 510 becquerels of radioactive cesium had been detected in beef from Tenei in Fukushima prefecture, about 70 kilometres (40 miles) from the plant -- exceeding the 500-becquerel limit, Kyodo News said. But further checks are being carried out on beef from the region, an official from the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency was quoted as saying, because of a gap in radiation levels between the Tenei sample and others. The government has already halted shipments of untreated milk and many vegetables from Fukushima and three neighbouring prefectures after radioactive substances were found in samples of the foodstuffs. It has stepped up radiation monitoring in another six prefectures, covering an area that borders Tokyo. On Saturday, officials said that lettuce contaminated with radiation above the legal limit had been found at a wholesale market in central Japan, shipped from a farm north of Tokyo. The twin natural disasters on March 11 severely damaged the Fukushima nuclear plant, which is leaking harmful radioactivity that has also prompted the evacuation of local residents.
earlier related report Health authorities will collect samples at Brazil's ports, including the busy cargo port of Santos, and send them to nuclear labs. The state news agency said authorities from Brazil's food and drug administration Anvisa would also require safety certificates from Japanese health authorities for any food products originating in provinces near the stricken Fukushima nuclear power plant on Japan's tsunami-hit northeast coast. It cited an Anvisa spokesperson saying the Japanese products to undergo scrutiny will be limited to ingredients in bakery goods. Brazil has a century-long trade history with Japan, prompted by the arrival of large amounts of Japanese immigrants who worked as agriculture laborers in Brazil, which is now a major consumer of Japanese products. Brazil is believed to have the world's largest Japanese community outside Japan, estimated at about 1.5 million descendants. Last week Brazilian health authorities indicated they would not adopt any radiation patrol measures for food, arguing there was little risk to key food imports.
Share This Article With Planet Earth
Related Links Farming Today - Suppliers and Technology
Philippines cracks down on Chinese poachers Manila (AFP) March 31, 2011 Philippine authorities on Thursday vowed to seek long jail terms for six Chinese caught poaching fish and sea turtles, as part of a crackdown against foreigners stealing marine wildlife. The head of a multi-agency taskforce against illegal entrants, Brigadier General Juancho Sabban, said he planned to take a hardline stance against all foreign poachers, unlike previous officials who allowed ... read more |
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2010 - SpaceDaily. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |