New testing regime for Japanese imported food.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has released a risk assessment showing that there may be a risk of contaminated food imported from the Japanese areas of Chiba, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Saitama, Tochigi, Tokyo and Yamagata.
As a result the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has begun testing food that previously identified levels of radioactive caesium.
FSANZ still believes that the risk is negligible, the new risk assessment has prompted further Radionuclicide testing by DAFF and new documentation requirements on all foods from these areas.
The following foods have previously been found to have positive results (although very low) for radioactive caesium, and will require further testing to ensure that all testing is consistent with that from other countries;
- Tea (fresh and dried)
- Dried mushrooms
- Fish (fresh, frozen or dried.)
The test results for all future imports of these foods will need to be “well below” the internationally accepted levels. Full Import Declarations will also be required for each of them.
These Declarations will be required to include the address of manufacturing, production and packing
Radionuclicide level testing is to be done by a nominated approved analyst and be paid by the importer. The results must be reported directly to DAFF.
For more information, go to www.foodstandards.gov.au