In the wake of concerns over the possible contamination of seafood from Japan, the Japan Embassy in T&T has said "it is safe to consume fishery products" from its markets.Safety concerns about fish products have arisen among consumers, as well as the Supermarkets Association (SATT), after the March 11, 8.9 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.The impact of the quakes on the Fukushima Dai-Chi nuclear plant caused radiation leaks into the Pacific Ocean, contaminating fish.
The embassy, however, said tests conducted approximately 200 kilometres from the Fukushima Dai-Chi Nuclear plant have not detected radiation "above safety levels."In a release, the embassy said the Japanese government understood that "there is no imminent risk to fish products to human health."It said: "All necessary measures have been implemented to ensure safety of food supplies."It said the Japanese authorities continued to monitor radiation seeping into the ocean."Additionally, the sea around the nuclear plant does not have any fishing activities at this time and the authorities are monitoring any radiation seeping into the ocean," the release said.
The release said several tests were carried out by Japan's Fisheries Agency. Reports showed the levels of radioactive iodine and caesium detected in its fish supplies, concentration levels of radioactive materials continued to be low.This was "due to the high volume of the seawater and the current of the sea," according to release.The embassy has assured, however, that while the sea around the nuclear plant did not have any fishing activities at this time, it will "monitor the situation."It said it "will withdraw food products from its local and export market once radiation levels exceed the reference values."