FOOD IMPORTED FROM JAPAN TO BE TESTED FOR RADIATION

Food imported from Japan to be tested for radiation

India has decided to test all food imported from Japan for radiation in view of the two explosions at its Fukushima nuclear plant following the earthquake and the ensuing tsunami (11-3-2011).
A press statement from the country's food safety and standards authority said officers of the agency at Indian sea ports and airports were instructed to test food from Japan since March 11, the day of the first explosion in the Fukushima nuclear plant.  'Authorised officers of Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) at Indian ports, airports have been asked to get food originating from Japan (after March 11, 2011) to be tested for radiation,' the communiqué said here.

       The health and family welfare ministry, under which FSSAI functions, too has asked the joint secretary of revenue department to ask all their customs points in the country, where imported food is cleared, to test samples from Japan on similar lines.

Prof. John Kurakar