PETALING JAYA: The government is taking steps to address the potential radiation risk on food imported from Japan, similar to the measures taken in 2011, according to Health Ministry special advisor Dr Kelvin Yii.
Dr Yii assured the public that the Health Ministry, along with other relevant ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, are implementing strict measures to ensure the safety of food imported from Japan, in light of the ongoing release of Fukushima nuclear wastewater.
“Food safety will not be compromised, and through the Health Ministry, food imports categorized as ‘high-risk’ from Japan will undergo Level 4 surveillance examination to detect radioactive elements, as Japan plans to release water from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant,” he stated in a press release on Thursday (Aug 24).
He also mentioned that the Food Safety and Quality Division, under the Health Ministry, had previously conducted similar examinations on Japanese food imports from May 2011 to April 2012, following the earthquake that resulted in a triple meltdown at the power plant.
Dr Yii further explained that food samples would be collected and analyzed to ensure compliance with the regulatory limits stated in Regulation 37 of the Food Regulations 1985.
“I understand the concerns and anxieties raised by the public, and to address these concerns, the ministry is committed to continuously monitoring the country’s entry points and local markets to guarantee food safety,” added the Kuching MP.
He also respected the consumers’ choice regarding whether or not to be cautious with their purchases, while assuring that the government remains vigilant in ensuring that food supplied to Malaysia is safe for consumption.
On Wednesday (Aug 23), the public was urged to stay calm following reports that Japan would begin releasing treated water from Fukushima into the ocean on Thursday.
Deputy Agriculture and Food Security Minister Chan Foong Hin stated that there are no live marine fish currently being imported from Japan, according to the Fisheries Department.
“For non-live fishery products from Japan, the ministry is working closely with the Health Ministry and other relevant authorities, such as Quarantine and Inspection Services Malaysia (Maqis) and the Malaysia Fisheries Development Authority, to monitor food safety issues. This includes conducting checks on health certifications and radiation post-import,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
In 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake triggered a tsunami that affected three reactors at the aforementioned nuclear power plant, which is located approximately 220km northeast of Tokyo.
The Fukushima nuclear plant disaster is the second largest nuclear incident after the Chernobyl incident in Ukraine in 1986.
Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced on Tuesday (Aug 22) that the country would release over one million metric tonnes of treated water from the damaged nuclear power plant.
Japan has stated that the release of treated water from the Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco)-operated plant is consistent with international safety standards.
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Fukushima, Kelvin Yii, Health Ministry, Radiation Risk, Food, Import, Japan, Nuclear wastewater
Credit: The Star : News Feed
