Food Safety – Radiation Testing

Japan has decided to release the Fukushima-treated nuclear wastewater into the ocean on 24 August 2023, prompting the Hong Kong Government to ban the import of aquatic products from ten Japanese prefectures.  The Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety is also strengthening the testing of imported Japanese food to prevent nuclear-contaminated foodstuffs from entering the Hong Kong market.

The more radioactive substances are discharged into the ocean, the higher risk that radioactive materials enter the human food chain.  This has and will cause concerns about food imported from Japan.

To help alleviate consumer and supplier worries, the Hong Kong Standards and Testing Centre (STC) can provide radiation testing for the food industry.  Testing will focus on detecting radioactive substances such as iodine-131, cesium-134 and cesium-137.

The below table shows the limits of radioactive substances in food and water, which are closely related to human health:

Radioactive Substances       Food Limit [1]
Iodine-131                              100 Bq/kg
Cesium-134                            1,000 Bq/kg 
Cesium-137                            1,000 Bq/kg 

Radioactive Substances       Bottled/Packaged Drinking Water Limit [2]
Iodine-131                              10 Bq/L
Cesium-134                            10 Bq/L
Cesium-137                            10 Bq/L

 

[1] According to the "Codex Alimentarius Commission" on the standard of radionuclide content in food after accidental nuclear contamination

[2] According to the latest "Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality" published by the World Health Organization

 

STC’s food testing category covers seafood imported from Japan, milk, vegetables, fruits, and packaged snacks and health foods.

To strengthen confidence in quality of food from Japan, importers and suppliers may consider testing their products with STC. Please contact STC for further information.