Fukushima radioactive water release: MOH to impose Level 4 inspection on high-risk food products from Japan

KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry (MOH) will impose a Level 4 inspection for radioactive materials at the country's entrance on high-risk food products imported from Japan.

Health Director-General Datuk Muhammad Radzi Abu Hassan said the move would be taken following notification that Japan will start releasing treated radioactive water from the tsunami-hit Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean tomorrow.

Citing the ministry's data for the period from 2022 until June 2023, he said, fish food products and fish products are among the highest products imported from the country, followed by fruits, vegetables, processed food and beverages, with a total value of RM 880,115,437.

"MoH is sensitive to consumers' concerns about the matter. In this regard, the ministry always conducts monitoring at the entrance to the country and local markets to ensure food safety is guaranteed," he said in a statement today.

Muhammad Radzi said the monitoring of food products imported from Japan had been carried out by the ministry's Food Safety and Quality Division from May 2011 until April 2012 after the nuclear plant explosion following an earthquake in Fukushima in 2011.

"A special monitoring programme was also carried out in 2019 where a total of 102 samples were analysed and all samples were found not to exceed the stipulated rate," he said.

According to local newspaper reports, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safety review has concluded that Japan's plans to release treated water stored at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station into the sea are consistent with IAEA Safety Standards.

-- BERNAMA