The tranquility of the Ukedo fishing port in Namie town, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan was slightly stirred on the 25th of August, when the nearby Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant started discharging treated radioactive wastewater into the vast Pacific Ocean, stirring a wave of anxiety across global markets. This image, captured by Reuters, reflects the maelish seen as the first drops of wastewater touched the surface of the Pacific.
The Thailand Consumer Council (TCC), being one of the concerned international bodies, took swift action and appealed to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Fisheries for stringent actions. All seafood imports from Japan now stand in the dock on account of potential radioactive contamination.
Announced on the 24th of August, Japan began wastewater expulsion from the infamous Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, alarming the global community. Panuchote Thongyang, chairperson of TCC’s sub-committee on food, drugs, and health products, utilized their Sunday meeting to address this issue.
Even though the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has given a nod of approval ensuring world safety standards are met after treatment, fears loom large. Countries including China, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Japan itself nurse worries regarding the ecosystem’s safety. Despite trading heavily in Japanese fishery products, Thailand is yet to take decisive steps to minimize potential risks.
Mr. Thongyang recalled the aftermath of the destructive earthquake that hit the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant over a decade ago. Multiple cities declared off-limits, areas restricted, and towns completely abandoned, all consequences of growing radioactivity. He is now turning to the FDA and Department of Fisheries to introduce preventative measures as well as random checks on imported seafood supporting his claim with the dangerous health effects of consuming seafood tainted with radioactivity.
The chairman further urged the concerned authorities to make public their strategies to alleviate consumer’s fears. As Japan began the wastewater discharge on the 24th of August, Lertchai Lertwut, FDA deputy secretary-general, held meetings with concerned bodies including the Department of Fisheries, the Office of Atoms for Peace and the Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology to curate measures scrutinizing seafood originating from Japan.
According to Mr. Lertwut, all imported seafood are examined thoroughly to ensure safety. The process is supported by narcotics suppression police and the Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology as an extra layer of protection. Products showing traces of radioactive substances are immediately put on hold, and steps are taken either to return them or destroy them completely. Safety measures have been in place and carried out on Japanese fishery products since the Fukushima disaster in 2011, with results showing no radioactive traces beyond international tolerance.
To combat growing skepticism about the safety of consuming Japanese seafood, authorities plan to double their inspection efforts. This safety-first approach will be maintained regardless of political transitions or changes in the fiscal year, affirms Mr. Lertwut.
Be First to Comment