Japan takes steps to prevent food contamination

MANILA, Philippines - Japanese authorities have implemented measures to prevent the contamination of food products with radioactive iodine after products in Fukushima prefecture were found to have been tainted with radiation.

In a report to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila, the Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Vienna relayed the information provided by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that the Japanese government has requested an investigation into the possible stoppage of the sale of food products from Fukushima prefecture.  

The IAEA received confirmation from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare on the presence of radioactive iodine contamination of food products.

Bureau of Customs (BOC) Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement Horacio Suansing Jr. yesterday said they would strengthen the monitoring of agriculture and poultry products from Japan.

“I would be issuing a memorandum today that would place our enforcement units on heightened alert against the importation of milk and poultry products from Japan... These would be subjected to a 100 percent examination,” he said. Suansing said the heightened alert would remain in effect so long as the radiation threat remains.

He noted that all agricultural product imports have a permit from the Bureau of Food and Drugs.

It was earlier reported that spinach and milk found in farms in Fukushima were discovered to have been tainted with radiation.

Suansing said most milk products entering the country comes from New Zealand, Australia, and the United States.

“What we get from Japan are electronic products and a few meat products,” he said.

Some Filipino workers in Japan would sometimes send meat products for their relatives here.

“We would confiscate them if they are not supported with import permits,” he said. – With Evelyn Macairan