Four Japanese dried mushroom samples detected with low level of radioactivity
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     The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (April 29) detected four dried mushroom samples from two different brands, imported from Japan and collected at import level for radiation testing, with low levels of radioactivity. The products concerned have not entered the local market.

Product details are as follows:

(1) Product name: Dried Mushrooms
Brand: Marusho Brand
Place of origin: Iwate Prefecture, Japan
Packing: 3 kilograms per pack

(2) Product name: Dried Mushroom
Brand: Jade Brand (English translation)
Place of origin: Iwate Prefecture, Japan
Packing: 3 kilograms per pack

     "The results of the radiation tests showed that among the four dried mushroom samples, three of them were detected with Caesium-134 and Caesium-137 at six to 10 becquerels per kilogram (Bq/kg) and 37 to 64 Bq/kg respectively. The remaining sample was detected with Caesium-137 at 40 Bq/kg. The standard laid down by the Codex Alimentarius Commission in the guideline levels for radionuclides in foods contaminated following a nuclear or radiological emergency is 1 000 Bq/kg for Caesium-134 and Caesium-137. The radiation levels detected do not exceed the Codex guideline levels," the spokesman said.

     The products concerned have not entered the local market. The CFS is following up on the cases with the importers concerned.

     In the wake of the Fukushima nuclear power plant incident, the CFS has enhanced radiation testing on food imported from Japan at import, wholesale and retail levels since March 12, 2011. Apart from three unsatisfactory samples of Japanese vegetables found in March 2011, certain samples of Japanese food were also detected to contain low levels of radioactivity. The CFS updates the results and figures of food surveillance on imported Japanese food on its website every working day (including those cases detected with low levels of radioactivity).

     The CFS will continue to closely monitor information from Japan as well as the radiation test results of Japanese food products in Hong Kong and elsewhere. It will review and adjust, if necessary, the surveillance strategy on food products imported from Japan in a timely manner, making reference to the recommendations of international authorities, to safeguard food safety.

     Results of the food surveillance on Japanese food are uploaded to the CFS website daily: www.cfs.gov.hk/english/programme/programme_rafs/programme_rafs_fc_01_30_Nuclear_Event_and_Food_Safety.html.

Ends/Friday, April 29, 2016
Issued at HKT 21:12

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