Japan to tighten limits on radionuclides in food

21 February 2012

Japan's Radiation Council has approved the Japanese health ministry's proposal for far stricter limits on radioactive caesium found in food. The current limit for most foods of 500 becquerels per kilogram (Bq/kg) will be cut to 100 Bq/kg for vegetables, grains, meat, eggs and fish sold in Japan. The Radiation Council's approval paves the way for the ministry to enforce the new limits in Japan in April.

In April 2011 the EU ditched its default limit of 1250 Bq/kg for most foods from Japan to align itself with the stricter limit of 500 Bq/kg set in Japan. When the new Japanese limits come into force, the EU may again have to lower its own limits for food imports from Japan.

On 27 February the European Commission Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health will be discussing a possible amendment to the current legislation covering food from Japan.

More information from the Japanese press:

Mainichi Daily News http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20120216p2g00m0dm160000c.html

Daily Yomiuri Online http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120217006336.htm