Imagine being in the bustling Hamanoeki Fish Market and Food Court, located in the heart of Soma, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan. As you visually feast on the vast array of locally caught seafood displayed on stalls, the tantalizing aromas wafting through the air augurs well for an exciting culinary adventure. This was the picture taken on August 31. Amidst the revelry, however, looms a global concern – the fear of potential radioactive contamination in the seafood, tied with the water discharge from the broken down Fukushima nuclear power plant.
In response to the worldwide anxiety, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hurried forward to allay the fears. Understandably, the mere mention of the word ‘radioactivity’ can bring about flickers of concern. The FDA, however, firmly asserts that seafood lovers need not worry. The most recent tests conducted on imported seafood samples from Japan have shown no traces of radioactivity exceeding the universally accepted standards. Yes, you’ve heard it right – the aquatic edibles you so relish are declared safe for consumption.
On Monday, Lertchai Lertvut, the deputy secretary-general of The FDA, made it clear that the organization had maintained stringent safety protocols on Japan-imported seafood. These measures became more rigorous after it came into light that Japan had started discharging treated radioactive water from its infamous Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean on August 24. With the nuclear disaster in Fukushima etched into our memories, it’s important to remember that these actions were taken 12 years post the catastrophic nuclear meltdown.
In the wake of these events, as many as 75 samples of ‘high risk’ imported seafood were collected for a thorough check. These samples included all-time favorites like squid, molluscs, and crabs. They went through rigorous quantitative analyses, particularly looking for the presence of caesium-134 and caesium-137. Who took on the task, you may ask? It was none other than the Office of Atoms for Peace under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation.
The outcomes were more than promising – of the 73 samples, 42 showed no radioactive traces at all, and certainly none to breach the international standards. The analyses are still ongoing for the remaining 33 samples, the findings of which are eagerly awaited. But what if any of these turn out to be radioactive? Mr. Lertchai was ahead of us with a clear action plan in place – the contaminated samples would be promptly destroyed, suspending their further import.
Mr. Lertchai concludes this public briefing with a reassuring note to the consumers, emphasizing the FDA’s commitment and consistent vigilance in ensuring the imported seafood is kept free of radioactive contamination. The food lovers can thus indulge in their appetite without any trepidation. The sushi, the sashimi, the tempura – savor it all without any qualms, your well-being has been taken under the responsible wings of the FDA.
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