FoodandRadiationQ&A [provisionaltranslation] July1,2011

FoodandRadiationQ&A ConsumerAffairsAgency Contents

1.Radiation:Basicinformationandimpactonhumans

Q1:Whatisthedifferencebetweenradiation,radioactivityandradioactivematerials? Q2:Whatkindofimpactdoesradiationhaveonthehumanbody? Q3:WhatisthedifferencebetweentheunitsofmeasurementforradioactivityBqandSv? Q4:Whataretheradioactivematerialsforwhichprovisionalregulationvaluesinfoodareset? Q5:Whatisthedifferencebetweenexternalexposureandinternalexposure? Q6:Whatismeantbythehalflifeofradioactivematerials?Whatisthedifferencebetween thephysicalhalflifeandbiologicalhalflife? Q7:Imconcernedabouttheimpactoninfantsandpregnantwomen(fetuses).Isthere anythingspecialweshoulddotoprotectthem? 2.Regulationsregardingradioactivematerialsinfood

Q1:Whataretheregulationspertainingtoradioactivematerialsinfoodandtapwater?Is processedfoodcoveredtoo? Q2:AreJapansprovisionalregulationvaluesdifferentfromthoseinothercountries? Q3:Isittruethattherewillbenohealthimpactevenifforabriefperiodyoueatfoodthat containsradioactivematerialsabovetheprovisionalregulationvalues? Q4:Thegovernmentinitiallysaidthattherewillbenoimmediateimpactonhealth,butthe wordimmediatewaseliminatedlater.Why? Q5:Ismonitoringandtestingofagriculturalproductsbeingconductedproperly?

3.Shipmentrestrictionversusconsumptionrestrictionandthepolicyonliftingthese restrictions

Q1:Whatisthesystemforshipmentrestrictionandconsumptionrestriction? Q2:Over10,000bundlesofspinachharvestedinKatoriCity,ChibaPrefecture,wereshipped andmostofthemwereconsumedeventhoughashipmentrestrictionorderhadbeenissued. Whathappened? Q3:Whyisitpossibletoliftshipmentrestrictionsonvegetableswhennewnoentryzonesare stillbeingdesignated?

4.Foodsafetyandpreventionofexposuretoradiation

Q1.Isproducegrowningreenhousessaferthanfieldgrownproduce?Isricecurrentlyonthe marketsafetoeat? Q2.Cantheradiationlevelsofvegetablesbereducedbyrinsingand/orboilingthem?

FoodandRadiationQ&A [provisionaltranslation] July1,2011 Q3:Isittruethatconsumingkonbuandwakameseaweed,beer,orhydrogenfortifiedwater helpspreventexposuretoradiation?

5.Vegetablesafety

Q1:Undertheconsumptionrestrictions,howarethevegetablescategorized? Q2:Whatkindsofvegetablesdoradioactivematerialstendtoadhereto? Q3:Isproductoriginlabelingoffreshagriculturalproductsbeingdoneadequately? 6.Fishsafety Q1:Arethefishthatarecurrentlyonthemarketsafetoeat? Q2:Isproductoriginlabelingoffreshmarineproductsbeingdoneadequately?

7.Milk,meatandeggsafety Q1:Rawmilkistestedatcoolerstations,notatfarms.Milkcontainingradioactivematerials exceedingtheprovisionalregulationvaluesmightgetmixedwithmilknotexceedingthelimits. Isthissystemsufficienttoobtainaccurateresults? Q2:Whereistheplaceoforiginofunprocessedmilkwrittenonthepackagelabel? Q3:Noprovisionalregulationvaluesforradioactiveiodinehavebeensetformeatandeggs. Arentstandardsnecessary?

8.Watersafety

Q1:Whatguidelinesareinplaceforradioactivematerialsintapwater? Q2:Istestingoftapwaterbeingconductedproperly? Q3:Isthereanyreasontobeconcernedaboutdrinkingandcookingwithtapwater? Q4:Isitsafetomixinfantformulawithtapwater? 1.Radiation:Basicinformationandimpactonhumans Q1:Whatisthedifferencebetweenradiation,radioactivityandradioactivesubstances? A: 1.Radiationissimilartolightthathastheabilitytopenetratematter,e.g.alpha()rays,beta ()rays,gamma()rays,Xrays,andneutronbeams.Differenttypesofradiationdifferintheir abilitytopenetratematter,sotheycanbeblockedwithdifferentmaterials. 2.Theabilitytoreleaseradiationiscalledradioactivity,andmaterialswithsuchabilityare calledradioactivematerials.Toillustratethiswithaflashlight,thelightistheradiation,the flashlightisaradioactivematerial,andtheabilitytoemitlightisradioactivity.

FoodandRadiationQ&A [provisionaltranslation] July1,2011 3.Whatiscommonlycalledleakageofradioactivityisactuallyleakageofradioactive materials,whichistheleakageofradioactivematerialsreleasingradiationoutsidenuclear powerfacilities. Q2:Whatkindofimpactdoesradiationhaveonthehumanbody? A: 1.Thehumanbodyismadeupofnumerouscells,andhealthycellsdivideconstantly.When cellsareexposedtoalargeamountofradiationatonetime,theydieortheirdivisionis retarded.Forthisreason,whenhematopoieticorgan,thegenitalglands,theintestinaltract, theskin,andotherorganswherecelldivisiontakesplaceactivelyareexposedtoalarge amountofradiationatonetime,problemsoccurwithinafewweeks. 2.Longtermexposuretoacertainamountofradiationcausesdamagetogeneticmaterials includingDNAinthecellsofthehematopoieticorgansandinotherorgans,withtheirabilityto recoverunabletokeeppacewiththedamage,thuscausingcancer,leukemia,andother illnessesinsomecases.Whetherornotsuchillnessesoccurinapersonandwhentheyoccur differfromindividualtoindividual. 3.Infants,children,andpregnantwomen(fetuses),whosecellsdividemoreactively,aremore susceptibletotheeffectsofradiationthanadults. Q3:WhatisthedifferencebetweentheunitsofmeasurementforradioactivityBqandSv? A: 1.Allmatterismadeupofatoms,eachconsistingofanucleuswithelectronsspinningaroundit. 2.Radiationisreleasedwhenacertainnucleuschanges(disintegrates)intoanothernucleus.1 Bqistheamountofradiationreleasedbyonenucleusinonesecondwhenitdisintegrates.The greaterthenumberofBq,thegreaterthenumberofnucleidisintegrating. 3.However,thetypeandintensityofradiationreleaseddifferaccordingtothetypeof radioactivematerial.Evenforthesameradioactivityof1,000Bq,differentradioactivematerials affectthehumanbodytodifferentdegrees.Therefore,acommonunitofmeasurementwas devisedtomeasuretheeffectofradiationonhumans,andthisiscalledtheSv(sievert).A measurementof1Svalwaysindicatesthesameeffectonthehumanbody. BqandSvcanbeconvertedusingthefollowingmethod:
(Example1) When1kgoffoodcontaining500Bq/kgofradioactivecesium137isconsumed,theeffectonthe humanbodyis 500x1.3x105*=0.0065mSv(1millisievert=1/1,000of1Sv) (Example2) When1kgoffoodcontaining300Bq/kgofradioactiveiodine131isconsumed,theeffectonthehuman bodyis 300x1.6x105*=0.0048mSv Note:1Sv(microsievert)is1/1,000,000of1Sv.

FoodandRadiationQ&A [provisionaltranslation] July1,2011

*Effectivedosecoefficient(mSv/Bq):CoefficientforconvertingBq,whichistheunitofradioactivity,to mSv,whichistheunitformeasuringtheeffectonlivingorganisms.ThisissetbytheInternational CommissiononRadiologicalProtection(ICRP)accordingtothetypeofradioactivematerial,chemical form,andmodeofintake.Theaboveexamplesusevalues(fororalintakebyanadult)indicatedinthe NuclearSafetyCommissionsguidelines(guidelinesforassessingtargetradiationlevelsinareasnear lightwaterreactorfacilitiesforpowergeneration).Undertheseguidelines,thecoefficientsforiodine 131aresetdifferentlyforyoungchildrenandinfantsat7.5x105and1.4x104,respectively.

Q4:Whataretheradioactivematerialsforwhichprovisionalregulationvaluesinfoodare set? A: 1.TheMinistryofHealth,LaborandWelfare(MHLW)hassetprovisionalregulationvaluesin foodforfourcategoriesofradioactivematerials:radioactiveiodine,radioactivecesium, uranium,andplutoniumandalphanuclidesoftransuranicelements. 2.BasedonpastdisastersattheChernobylnuclearpowerplantandelsewhere,theurgent noticeonradioactivematerialsissuedbytheFoodSafetyCommissiononMarch29alsocited radioactiveiodine(iodine131)andradioactivecesium(cesium134,137)assubstances requiringurgentstudyinrelationtotheaccidentsattheFukushimaDaiichiNuclearPowerPlant. 3.TheMHLWsinformationonradioactivematerialsinfoodalsoincludestestresultsforiodine 131andcesium(134,137).
Provisionalregulationvalues(Bq/kg)underFoodSanitationLaw(Law #233,1947) Radioactiveiodine Drinkingwater 300 (representativenuclideof Milk,dairyproducts* mixednuclides:131I) Vegetables(exceptforrootvegetables,potatoes) 2,000 Seafood Radioactivecesium Drinkingwater 200 Milk,dairyproducts Vegetables 500 Grains Meat,eggs,fish,etc. Uranium Babyfood 20 Drinkingwater Milk,dairyproducts Vegetables 100 Grains Meat,eggs,fish,etc. 1 Plutonium,alphanuclides Babyfood oftransuranicelements Drinkingwater (sumofradioactivity Milk,dairyproducts concentrationof238Pu, Vegetables 10 239 Pu,240Pu,242Pu,241Am, Grains 242 Cm,243Cm,244Cm) Meat,eggs,fish,etc. Radioactivematerial

FoodandRadiationQ&A [provisionaltranslation] July1,2011

*Instructionsshouldbeissuednottousemilkcontainingover100Bq/kgofradioactivematerialsfor babyformulaorfordrinkingforbabies.

Q5:Whatisthedifferencebetweenexternalexposureandinternalexposure? A: 1.Therearetwomodesofexposuretoradiation:externalandinternal.Externalexposureis exposuretoradiationreleasedbyradioactivematerialsfromoutsidethebody. 2.Ontheotherhand,internalexposureisexposurethroughtheintakeofair,water,food, andothersubstancescontainingradioactivematerialsintothebody.Therearefoursourcesof internalexposure:(1)throughthemouthwithfood(oralintake);(2)withair(intakeby inhalation);(3)throughtheskin(dermalabsorption)and(4)throughwounds(wound penetration). 3.Externalexposurecanbereducedbymovingawayfromtheradioactivematerial(for example,doublingthedistancewillreduceexposuretoonefourth).Inthecaseofinternal exposure,sincetheradioactivematerialsinthebody,exposurecontinuesuntilthissubstance isdischargedfromthebody. 4.Weareexposedbothexternallyandinternallytonaturalradiationinourdailylives.Exposure toradiationreleasedbyradioactivematerialsleakedduetonuclearpowerplantaccidents meansthatweareexposedtosuchradiationinadditiontonaturalradiation. Q6:Whatismeantbythehalflifeofradioactivematerials?Whatisthedifferencebetween thephysicalhalflifeandbiologicalhalflife? A: 1.Radioactivematerialsdonotremaininthenaturalenvironmentforever.Theyrelease radiation,transformintodifferentnuclei,andareultimatelydevoidofanyradioactivecontent. Theamountoftimerequiredforthenumberofnucleioftheoriginalradioactivematerialtobe reducedbyhalfdiffersaccordingtothetypeofsubstance.Forexample,itisapproximately8 daysforiodine131and30yearsforcesium137.Thisiscalledthephysicalhalflife. 2.Ontheotherhand,radioactivematerialstakenintothebodywithfood,etc.,entertheblood andaredischargedfromthebodyinsuchformsasexhalation,perspiration,urine,andstool. Theamountoftimerequiredforradioactivematerialstobereducedtohalfinthebody throughthisprocessiscalledthebiologicalhalflife. 3.Thebiologicalhalflifeforiodine131isapproximately11daysininfants,23daysinfiveyear oldsand80daysinadults.Forcesium137,itisapproximately9daysforoneyearolds,38days forchildrenuptonineyearsofage,70daysforadultsupto30yearsofage,and90daysfor adultsupto50yearsofage. Therefore,whencesium137,whichhasalongphysicalhalflifeof30years,istakenintothe body,theamountremaininginthebodyisreducedbyhalfinthreemonths(inthecaseof50 yearolds). 4.Thephysicalhalflifeofradioactivematerialsdependsonthetypeofsubstanceandis unaffectedbycookingorotherapplicationsofheat.Norwillfreezingradiationcontaminated foodreducethephysicalhalflifeoftheradioactivematerial.

FoodandRadiationQ&A [provisionaltranslation] July1,2011 Q7:Imconcernedabouttheimpactoninfantsandpregnantwomen(fetuses).Isthere anythingspecialweshoulddotoprotectthem? A: 1.Withregardtotapwater,therewereanumberoflocalitieswheretheconcentrationof radioactivematerialsexceededthestandarddeemedsuitableforintakebyinfants(100Bq/kg forradioactiveiodine)afterMarch21.Atthattime,theconcernedlocalgovernmentsasked residentsnottogiveinfantstapwatertodrink.However,sincethelevelofradioactive materialsdroppedsubsequently,therestrictionsweregraduallylifted.AsofJuly1,no restrictionsareinplaceregardingdrinkingwaterforinfantsorthegeneralpopulation. 2.TheMHLWissuedasurveyreportonbreastmilkonApril30. Thiswasasurveyofthelevelofradioactiveiodine(iodine131)andradioactivecesium(cesium 134,137)inthemilkofbreastfeedingmothersinFukushimaPrefectureandtheKantoregion. 3.Whilethesamplesizeandgeographicalcoverageofthesurveywerelimited,theresults showedthateithernoradioactivematerialsweredetectedoronlynegligibleamountswere found.Motherswhosebreastmilkwasfoundtocontainsomeradioactivematerialswere reexaminedlater,andnoradioactivematerialswerefoundinthebreastmilkofanyofthem. (TheresultswerepublishedonMay17.) 4.TheMHLWreachedthefollowingconclusionsbasedonthissurvey: (1) Measuresarebeingtakentodealwithradioactivematerials,withevacuationorders andfoodintakerestrictionsbeingissued,soevenifradioactivematerialsfromthe air,water,orfoodintakepassintobreastmilk,itisthoughtthatthiswillnotaffect thehealthofinfants. (2) Sincebreastmilkisnutritiousandhasotheradvantages,breastfeedingmothersare advisednottoworrytoomuch.Thereisnoproblemwithcontinuingtoleadnormal lives. 5.TheNationalInstituteofPublicHealthalsostudiedtheconcentrationofradioactivematerials inbreastmilk.Whileradioactivecesiumwasdetectedinthebreastmilkofsomewomen,the amountwasnegligible.TheassessmentresultspublishedonJune7showedthatthehealthof infantswillnotbeaffected. Reference
Informationforpregnantorbreastfeedingwomenconcernedabouttapwater(excerptedfrom informationprovidedbytheJapanSocietyofObstetricsandGynecologyonMarch24,2011) 1.Drinking1literoftapwatercontaminatedwithalowlevelofradiation(tapwatercontainingabout 200Bq/kgofradioactivematerials)eachdayduringpregnancy(fromthestartofthelastmenstruation todelivery)(totalof280days)wouldresultinoverallradiationexposureof1,232microsieverts(1.232 mSv).

FoodandRadiationQ&A [provisionaltranslation] July1,2011

2.Itisbelievedthatthefetuswouldonlybeadverselyaffectedatanexposurerateof50,000 microsieverts(50mSv)orabove. 3.Itisestimatedthattheamountofradioactiveiodinereleasedintobreastmilkwouldbeaboutone fourthofthemotherstotaliodineintake,butconclusiveproofisnotyetavailable.

2.Regulationsregardingradioactivematerialsinfood Q1:Whataretheregulationspertainingtoradioactivematerialsinfoodandtapwater?Is processedfoodcoveredtoo? A: 1.TheMHLWhassetprovisionalregulationvaluesforradioactivematerialsinfood(bottled drinkingwaterandfood)basedontheguidelinesdrawnupbytheNuclearSafetyCommission. Foodwithradiationlevelsexceedingthesevaluesshouldnotbeconsumed. 2.Thefollowingaretheprovisionalregulationvaluesforradioactiveiodineandradioactive cesiuminfood:

Fooditem Radioactiveiodine(nuclide representativeofmixednuclides: 131 I) 300Bq/kg

Drinkingwater Milk,dairyproducts* Vegetables(exceptforrootvegetables, 2,000Bq/kg potatoes) Seafood *Instructionsshouldbeissuednottousemilkcontainingover100Bq/kgofradioactivesubstancesfor babyformulaorfordrinkingforbabies. Fooditem Radioactivecesium Drinkingwater 200Bq/kg Milk,dairyproducts Vegetables 500Bq/kg Grains Meat,eggs,fish,etc.

3.TheMHLWhasalsosetthefollowinglevelsfortheintakeoftapwaterbasedonthe guidelinesdrawnupbytheNuclearSafetyCommission:
Otherthaninfants Infants Radioactiveiodine:300Bq/kg Radioactivecesium:200Bq/kg Radioactiveiodine:100Bq/kg Radioactivecesium:200Bq/kg

4.Processedfoodisalsocoveredbytheprovisionalregulationvalues.Monitoringofvegetables, rawmilk,andotherfooditemsisconductedattherawmaterialstagetopreventproblems fromarising.

FoodandRadiationQ&A [provisionaltranslation] July1,2011 Q2:AreJapansprovisionalregulationvaluesdifferentfromthoseinothercountries? A: 1.TheprovisionalregulationvaluessetbytheMHLWareguidelinesdrawnupbytheNuclear SafetyCommissionbasedonrecommendationsfromtheICRP,sotheyareinaccordancewith internationalthinking. 2.Withonlyregardtoiodine131,theCodexguidelinesisstricterthanJapan.Itissetatthe safestlevel,sothatevenincaseswhereradiationcontaminatedfoodistradedinternationally inanemergency,theimportingcountrywillnothavetoworryabouttakingcountermeasures. SeveralcountriesusetheCodexguidelinesastheirstandards. 3.TheMHLWcollatestheresultsoftestingandemergencymonitoringconductedbythe prefecturesonradioactivematerialsinfoodandpublishestheseresults.Theyaresortedby dateofpublicationandplaceoforigininauserfriendlymanner.Theycanbeviewedonthe MHLWwebsite. Q3:Isittruethattherewillbenohealthimpactevenifforabriefperiodyoueatfoodthat containsradioactivematerialsabovetheprovisionalregulationvalues? A: 1.Withregardtothefiguresonwhichtheprovisionalregulationvaluesarebased(50mSv/year forradioactiveiodinesincethisistheequivalentdoseindicatinganeffectonthethyroidgland; 5mSv/yearforradioactivecesiumsincethisistheeffectivedoseregardlessofthepartofthe bodyexposed),theFoodSafetyCommissionsurgentnoticeonradioactivematerials(March 29)stated: (1)TheICRPproposedin1984settingtheradiationlevelthatrequiresmandatory countermeasuresat50mSv/yearandthelevelbelowwhichcountermeasuresarenot warrantedat5mSv/yeartoprotectthepublicfromradiation(50mSv/yearforeachorgan).In lightofthis,theNuclearSafetyCommissiondecidedin1998tosettheICRPslowerlimitof5 mSv/yearasthelevelatwhichadecisionmustbemadeonwhethertoimplementprotective measures.Withregardtoradioactiveiodine,inconsiderationofitseffectonthethyroidgland, theCommissionalsosetaregulatorystandardof50mSv/year,whichisthelowerlimitof radiationexposurelevelforeachorgan. (2)Basedonvariousavailabledata,settingthestandardat50mSv/yearforradioactiveiodine tookintoaccountaveryhighlevelofsafetyinpreventingtheintakeofradioactivematerials throughfood. (3)Thestandardof5mSv/yearforradioactivecesiumisaverysafelevelintermsofpreventing radiationexposurefromfood.(ThereisalsonojustificationforclaimingthattheICRPs1992 standardof10mSv/yearisinappropriateinanemergency.)

FoodandRadiationQ&A [provisionaltranslation] July1,2011 2.Theprovisionalregulationvaluesaresetbasedontheassumptionthattheradiationlevelwill dropinaccordancewiththehalflivesofradioactivematerialsandthatthecontinuousintakeof foodcontaminatedwithradiationatthislevelwillnotaffecthealth.Theseprovisional regulationvaluesaresetveryconservatively.Thereshouldbenohealthconcernseveniffood thathasbeenbannedfromshipmentwasconsumedforabriefperiodbeforethebanwas implemented. Q4:Thegovernmentinitiallysaidthattherewillbenoimmediateimpactonhealth,butthe wordimmediatewaseliminatedlater.Why? A: 1.Atfirst,ConsumerAffairsMinisterRenhostatedinhermessage:Itisbelievedthatevenif foodwithradiationlevelsexceedingthestandardundertheFoodSanitationLawisconsumed forabriefperiod,therewillbenoimmediateimpactonhealth. 2.Eveniffoodwithradiationlevelsexceedingtheprovisionalregulationvalueswereconsumed forabriefperiod,thisamountwouldbeverynegligiblewhenconvertedintoaradiationdose. Suchanamountisnotexpectedtocauseanyacutedisordersinthebody.AsstatedinQ3,there shouldalsobenoconcernsabouthealthproblemsinthefuture.However,thepossibilityof radioactivematerialsaccumulatinginthebodycannotberuledoutcompletely.Therefore,the expressionthereisnoimmediateimpactonhealthwasused. 3.However,thisexpressionmayalsogivethewrongimpressionthatthereiscertaintobean impactonhealthinthefuture.Therefore,thewordimmediatewaseliminatedfrom messagesissuedonApril1andthereafter. *TheICRPsaysthatexposureto100mSvofradiationincreasesthemortalityrateduetocancer byaround0.5%.Continuousexposuretoradiationbelowthislevelisnotcompletelyharmless either.However,currentlyavailablestatisticsshownosignificantdifferenceindicatingthe effectofexposuretoalowlevelofradiation. Q5:Ismonitoringandtestingofagriculturalproductsbeingconductedproperly? A: 1.Thetestingofradioactivematerialsinfoodisconductedbytheprefecturalgovernments basedontheinspectionplansofthelocalgovernmentsissuedbytheMHLWinaccordance withtheguidelinesoninspectionplansandtheimplementationandliftingofshipment restrictions(revisedonJune27,2011)drawnupbytheNuclearEmergencyResponse Headquarters(chairedbytheprimeminister).

FoodandRadiationQ&A [provisionaltranslation] July1,2011 2.TheMHLWaggregatesandpublishestheresultsoftestingforradioactivematerialsinfood bytheprefecturalgovernments. 3.Shipmentrestrictionversusconsumptionrestrictionandthepolicyonliftingthese restrictions Q1:Whatisthesystemforshipmentrestrictionandconsumptionrestriction? A: 1.Ashipmentrestrictionisimplementedwhenfoodwithradiationlevelsexceedingthe provisionalregulationvaluesassetintheFoodSanitationLawisfoundtohavebeendistributed widelyinaregion,inordertopreventinternalexposuretoradiationthroughtheconsumption offoodcontainingradioactivematerials.BasedontheActonSpecialMeasuresConcerning NuclearEmergencyPreparedness,theheadoftheNuclearEmergencyResponseHeadquarters (primeminister)willissuetheordertothegovernorsofapplicableprefectures.Basedonthis order,thegovernorswillasktherelevantbusinessoperatorstorefrainfromshippingsuch products. 2.Ifandwhen,forexample,anextremelyhighlevelconcentrationofradioactivematerialsis detectedinproduce,theheadoftheNuclearEmergencyResponseHeadquarters(prime minister)directsthegovernorsoftheprefecturesconcernedtorestricttheircitizens consumptionoftheaffectedfarmproducts,inadditiontorestricting(orbanning)theshipment thereof.Accordingly,theproducershavetorefrainfromconsumingtheirownfarmproducts. Aswell,thelocalpeoplemustrefrainfromconsumingproductstheygrowinhomegardens. 3.Theagriculturalcooperativesandprefecturalgovernmentssometimesaskproducersto refrainfromshippingagriculturalproductswithradiationlevelsabovetheprovisional regulationvaluesbeforethenationalgovernmentissuessuchanorder.Suchinformationcan befoundonthewebsitesoftheprefecturalgovernmentsandtheMinistryofAgriculture, Forestry,andFisheries(MAFF). Q2:Over10,000bundlesofspinachharvestedinKatoriCity,ChibaPrefecture,wereshipped andmostofthemwereconsumedeventhoughashipmentrestrictionorderhadbeenissued. Whathappened? A: 1.ItwaslearnedatanewsconferencebytheChibaprefecturalgovernmentonApril26that spinachharvestedinKatoriCity,ChibaPrefecture,hadbeenshippedeventhoughashipment restrictionorderhadbeenissued.Subsequently,theshipmentvolumeanddistributionroutes weredeterminedthroughtheprefecturalgovernmentsinvestigationofthewholesalersand otherpartiesinvolved.Theprefecturalgovernmentissuedabusinessimprovementordertothe YokaichibaLocalFruitsandVegetablesWholesaleMarketCompanyunderChibasordinanceon wholesalemarkets. 2.Basedonthisorder,thecompanytookbusinessimprovementstepsandbegantocheckthe namesandaddressesoftheproducerswhenacceptingdeliveriesoffruitsandvegetables. 3.ChibaPrefecturealsoconductedanurgentsurveyofotherfruitandvegetablewholesale marketsintheprefecture(atotalof30)andconfirmedthatexceptfortheYokaichibaLocal

FoodandRadiationQ&A [provisionaltranslation] July1,2011 FruitsandVegetablesWholesaleMarketCompany,noneofthemhadreceivedanydeliveriesof spinachorotheritemsundershipmentrestriction. 4.TheprovisionalregulationvaluesbasedontheFoodSanitationLawweresetvery conservatively,sotheshorttermconsumptionoffoodwithradiationlevelsabovetheselimits wouldpresumablynothaveanyimpactonhealth.However,thedistributionoffooditems undershipmentrestrictioninthemarketshouldneverhappenagain.Thenationalandlocal governmentsandtherelevantbodiesarecloselycheckingthedistributionnetwork. 5.TheConsumerAffairsAgencyconducteditsownfieldsurveyofthecaseoftheKatorispinach andissuedareportonJune13.Thereportsuggestedthefollowingstepstopreventthe occurrenceofsimilaraccidents: (1) Thoroughimplementationofshipmentrestrictionsbythegovernors Itisnecessaryforthegovernorstocheckifalltheproducersarebeingnotifiedofshipment restrictionsandifshipmentcontrolisbeingthoroughlyenforced,andtoissueappropriate instructions. (2) Adequateexplanationstotheproducersonshipmentrestrictions Itisimportantfortherelevantlocalgovernmentstomakeeffortstoprovidedetailed explanationstotheproducersonwhyshipmentrestrictionshavebeenimposed,sothat theycanfullyunderstandandacceptrestrictionorders. (3) Thoroughshipmentcontrolatwholesalemarketsanddirectsalesstores Whenshipmentrestrictionordersareissuedatthemunicipallevel,itisimportantforthe wholesalemarketsanddirectsalesstores,whicharethemajorchannelsofdistribution,to verifytheplaceoforigin. (4) Promotionoftheinclusionofplacesoforigin(namesofcities,towns,orvillages)on labelsinordertogiveconsumerspeaceofmind TheConsumerAffairsAgencypresentedthisreporttothedepartmentsinchargeinthe localgovernmentsthroughtheMHLWandtheMAFFandrequestedtheirthorough implementationofshipmentrestrictionsonfooditems. Q3:Whyisitpossibletoliftshipmentrestrictionsonvegetableswhennewnoentryzones arestillbeingdesignated? A: 1.BasedontheActonSpecialMeasuresConcerningNuclearEmergencyPreparedness,the nationalgovernmentdeclaredtheareawithinaradiusof20kilometersfromtheFukushima DaiichiNuclearPowerPlant(includingtheseaarea)anoentryzoneasof12:00a.m.onApril 22,therebybanningentryintothisarea. Thisareahadpreviouslybeendesignatedanevacuationzoneanduponcoordinationwiththe relevantlocalauthorities,thedesignationwaschangedtoanoentryzonewhichwouldlegally authorizetheprohibitionofentryintotheareabylocalresidents.Thishadnothingtodowith

FoodandRadiationQ&A [provisionaltranslation] July1,2011 anincreaseintheamountofradioactivematerialsreleasedbythenuclearplantoranynew problemsrelatingtofoodsafety. 2.Theliftingofshipmentrestrictionsisundertakenbytheprimeminister,whoheadsthe NuclearEmergencyResponseHeadquarters,basedontheguidelinesoninspectionplansand theimplementationandliftingofshipmentrestrictions(revisedonJune27,2011)whenthe requiredconditionsaremet. 3.Thefollowingarethespecificrequirementsforliftingshipmentrestrictions: (1) Forshipmentrestrictionsbasedonthemonitoredamountofradioactiveiodine Weeklyinspectionsareconductedinmultiplemunicipalitiesineacharea.(Inspectionsare mandatoryformunicipalitiespreviouslyfoundtohaveradiationlevelsexceedingthe provisionalregulationvalues.Asforothermunicipalities,inspectionsareinprinciple conductedindifferentmunicipalitiesforeachinspection.Restrictionsareliftedifradiation levelsarebelowtheprovisionalregulationvaluesforthreeconsecutiveweeks. (2) Forshipmentrestrictionsbasedonthemonitoredamountofradioactivecesium Atleastthreelocationsareinspectedineachmunicipalityintherelevantarea.(Inspections aremandatoryformunicipalitiespreviouslyfoundtohaveradiationlevelsexceedingthe provisionalregulationvalues.)Restrictionsareliftedifradiationlevelsarebelowthe provisionalregulationvaluesinallinspectionsforthepastmonth. (3) ThesituationattheFukushimaDaiichiNuclearPowerPlantistakenintoconsideration whenmakingdecisionsonliftingrestrictions. 4.AsofJuly1,shipmentrestrictionshadbeenliftedforspinachandotherfarmproducts harvestedincertainareasinFukushima,Ibaraki,Tochigi,Gunma,andChibaaftertheabove conditionsweremet. 4.Foodsafetyandpreventionofexposuretoradiation Q1.Isproducegrowningreenhousessaferthanfieldgrownproduce?Isricecurrentlyonthe marketsafetoeat? A: 1.Exceptforshiitakemushroomsandseveralotherproducts,bothfieldgrownand greenhousegrownvegetablesareinspectedwhenimposingshipmentrestrictions.Thisis becauseevengreenhousegrownagriculturalproductscanbecontaminatedwithgasordust containingradioactivematerialsthroughventilation. 2.Vegetablesgrowninkitchengardensarenodifferentfromthoseonthemarketwithrespect tosafety.Theyshouldbeeatenonlyaftercheckingmonitoringresultsandverifyingtoensure shipmentorconsumptionrestrictionsarenotinplaceinthelocality.

FoodandRadiationQ&A [provisionaltranslation] July1,2011 3.Ricecurrentlysoldonthemarket(asofJuly)washarvestedandstoredbeforethenuclear powerplantaccidents.Thiswillnothavebeenexposedtogasordustcontainingradioactive substancesifithasbeenproperlystoredindoorsfollowingtheaccidents. Q2.Cantheradiationlevelsofvegetablesbereducedbyrinsingand/orboilingthem? A: 1.Aspreviouslystated,foodwithradiationlevelsabovetheprovisionalregulationvaluesset undertheFoodSanitationLawisnotallowedtobeshippedandplacedonthemarket. Therefore,thereisnoneedtotakeanyspecialmeasuresforvegetablesbeingsoldinthe market. 2.Incidentally,whileradiationlevelscannotbereducedbyheatingvegetables,theNational InstituteofRadiologicalSciencessaysthatrinsing,boiling(anddiscardingthewaterafter boiling),andremovingtheskinandouterleavesofvegetablescanpotentiallyreducetheir radiationcontamination. Ifyouareparticularlyconcernedaboutradioactivity,pleasetaketheprecautionsdescribed above. Q3:Isittruethatconsumingkonbuandwakameseaweed,beer,orhydrogenfortifiedwater helpspreventexposuretoradiation? A: 1.Whilekonbu,wakame,andothertypesofseaweeddocontainiodine,theamountis inconsistentandtheysometimescontainonlynegligibleamountsofiodine.Thepreventive effectsofsuchitemsareuncertain. 2.Aniodinetabletisapharmaceuticalproductusedforthepreventionofradiationexposure. Iodinetabletsshouldbetakenonlyuponinstructionsbyadministrativeauthoritiesdueto possiblesideeffects. 3.Thereisnoclearscientificproofthatbeerorhydrogenfortifiedwaterhelpstoprevent exposuretoradiation.Donotdrinkthemexpectingtheprotectiveeffectregardingradiation exposure. 5.Vegetablesafety Q1:Undertheconsumptionrestrictions,howarethevegetablescategorized?Isgreentea includedinthevegetablecategory? A: 1.Thereareavarietyofdifferenttypesofvegetables.Byutilizingtheinternationalfood classificationsystem,vegetablesarecategorizedaccordingtoshapeandthesizeoftheleafthat absorbschemicalsubstancesfromtheair.

FoodandRadiationQ&A [provisionaltranslation] July1,2011 2.Specifically,vegetablesareclassifiedasfollows: (1) Vegetableswhoseleavesaremainlyconsumed:leafyvegetables *Leafyvegetablesarecategorizedasfollowsdependingontheshapeoftheirleaves: Vegetableswithleavesthatremainseparatedanddonotclumptogether:non headtypeleafyvegetablesspinach,komatsuna,mizuna,bokchoy,kakina, looseheadlettuce(Romainelettuce,redleaflettuce,etc.),chrysanthemum leaves. Vegetableswithleavesthatclumptogetherinaball:headtypeleafyvegetables cabbage,Chinesecabbage,headle uce. (2) Vegetableswhoseflowersandbudsareconsumed:flowerbudorflowerhead vegetablesbroccoli,cauliower (3) Vegetableswhosefruitisconsumed:fruitvegetables Cucurbitaceousfruitvegetablescucumber,pumpkin Solanaceousfruitvegetablestomato,eggplant,greenpepper (4) Vegetableswhosestemsandleavesaremainlyconsumed:stemvegetablescelery, asparagus (5) Vegetablesoftheleekfamilywhoseleavesareconsumed:alliaceousvegetables leeks,Chinesechives (6) Vegetableswhoseimmaturebeansandpodsareconsumed:immaturebeansgreen soybeans,kidneybeans,fieldpeas (7) Vegetableswhoseundergroundrootsareconsumed:rootcropswhiteradish, turnip,carrot 3.Tealeavesareincludedinthevegetablecategory.Therearethreedifferenttypesoftea leavesdependingonthestageofprocessing:freshtealeavesthathavejustbeenpicked;dried andunrefinedtealeaves;andfurtherdriedandprocessedtealeaves.Theseareallsubjectto theprovisionalregulationvalues(500Bq/kgforradioactivecesium)inaccordancewiththe FoodSanitationLaw.However,becausehotwaterisusedwhendrinkingtea,thedensityof radioactivecesiumofbrewedteawillgenerallybereducedtoabout1/35ofthatofprocessed tealeaves,accordingtocalculationsbytheConsumerAffairsAgency.

FoodandRadiationQ&A [provisionaltranslation] July1,2011 Q2:Whatkindsofvegetablesdoradioactivematerialstendtoadhereto? A: 1.Itisbelievedthatafterthenuclearpowerplantaccidents,dustintheaircontaining radioactivesubstances,suchasradioactiveiodine,descendedtogetherwithrainandadhered tothesurfaceofleaves.Assuch,therehavebeenmanycasesinwhichnonheadtypeleafy vegetables,suchasspinach,haveshownhighlevelsofradioactivematerialscomparedwith othertypesofvegetables. 2.Also,whencomparedatthesameweight,bulkyvegetablestendtoshowhighlevelsof radioactivecontamination.Kakina,kukitachinaandshinobufuyuna,whichhavebecome subjecttoconsumptionrestrictionsinFukushimaPrefecture,alsobelongtothistypeofleafy vegetables. 3.Itislesslikelyfordustcontainingradioactivematerialstoadheretorootcrops,suchas radishes,becausemostoftheirrootsforconsumptionremainunderground. 4.Atthesametime,itisnecessarytopaycloseattentiontohowmuchradioactivematerialcan beabsorbedfromthesoil. 5.Radioactivecesiumhasalonghalflife(30yearsinthecaseofCesium137)incontrastto radioactiveiodine,whichhasashorthalflifeofeightdays.Forthisreason,itisimportantto checkforradioactivecesiumformanyyearstocome. Q3:Isproductoriginlabelingoffreshagriculturalproductsbeingdoneadequately? A: 1.ThedomesticfreshfoodqualitylabelingstandardundertheJASLawrequiresproducersto indicatetheplaceoforiginofdomesticallyproducedagriculturalproductsbyprefecture, municipality,orotherwellknownplacename. 2.Giventheareaspecificshipmentrestrictionsinthesameprefecture,producersareexpected torigorouslyindicatethenamesofmunicipalitiesandregions. 3.Anyviolationofthislabelingobligationissubjecttoadministrativemeasures,suchas instructionanddisclosure,oracriminalpenaltyinaccordancewiththeJASLaw.TheConsumer AffairsAgencywilltightencontrolsonfalseplaceoforiginlabelingincooperationwiththe MinistryofAgriculture,Forestry,andFisheries,andtheprefecturalgovernments.

FoodandRadiationQ&A [provisionaltranslation] July1,2011 6.Fishsafety Q1:Arethefishthatarecurrentlyonthemarketsafetoeat? A: 1.NofishingactivitiesarebeingconductedintheseaneartheFukushimaDaiichiNuclear PowerPlant,sonofishfromtheseainthevicinityofthepowerplantisavailableonthemarket. 2.RadioactivesubstancesexceedingtheinterimlimitsundertheFoodSanitationLawhave beendetectedinyoungsandlanceunloadedinFukushimaPrefecture.Theywerecaughtfor thepurposeoftestingfishsafety.Followingtheresults,theheadoftheNuclearEmergency ResponseHeadquarters(primeminister)onApril20issuedaninstructiontothegovernoron restrictingshipmentandconsumption. 3.RadioactivesubstancesexceedingtheinterimlimitsundertheFoodSanitationLawhavealso beendetectedinlandlockedsalmon(excludingfarmedfish),chub,andJapanesetrout (excludingfarmedfish)caughtinsomerivers,lakesandpondsinFukushimaPrefecture.Asa result,aninstructiononrestrictingshipmenthasbeenissuedforJuneandbeyond. 4.BeforeresumingfishingactivitiesinseaareasinprefecturesadjacenttoFukushima Prefecture,eachprefectureisrequiredtotestmarineproductsforradioactivematerials.They areallowedtoresumefishingactivitiesonlyaftertheresultshavebeenconfirmedtobelower thantheprovisionalregulationvalues. 5.Evenafterfishingactivitiesareresumed,testsforradioactivesubstancesaretobeconducted aboutonceaweek. Q2:Isproductoriginlabelingoffreshmarineproductsbeingdoneadequately? A: 1.Thenameoftheseaareawheretheproductoriginatedfrommustbeindicatedonthe packagesoffreshmarineproductsinaccordancewiththefreshfoodqualitylabelingstandard undertheJASLaw.(e.g.,offIbarakiPrefecture,offSanriku,offChoshi). 2.However,whenitisdifficulttolistthenameoftheseaarea,suchaswhenfishingactivities areconductedinaseaareastraddlingprefectures,itisacceptabletolistthenameoftheport oflandingoroftheprefecturesupervisingtheportinlieuofthenameoftheseaarea. 3.Anyviolationofthislabelingobligationissubjecttoadministrativemeasures,suchas instructionanddisclosure,oracriminalpenaltyinaccordancewiththeJASLaw,asinthecase offreshagriculturalproducts.TheConsumerAffairsAgencywilltightencontrolsonfalseplace

FoodandRadiationQ&A [provisionaltranslation] July1,2011 oforiginlabelingincooperationwiththeMinistryofAgriculture,Forestry,andFisheries,and theprefecturalgovernments. 7.Milk,meatandeggsafety Q1:Rawmilkistestedatcoolerstations,notatfarms.Milkcontainingradioactivesubstances exceedingtheinterimlimitsmightgetmixedwithmilknotexceedingthelimits.Isthissystem sufficienttoobtainaccurateresults? A: 1.Rawmilkfromhealthydairycowsiscooledtobelow10degreescentigradeinthedairyfarms tanksandiskeptthereforabouttwodays. 2.Rawmilkiscollectedfromeachfarmusingtanktrucksandthemilkisthenstoredata refrigerationfacilitycalledacoolerstation.Afterthattherawmilkisgenerallytransportedtoa milkprocessingplant. 3.Asexplainedabove,rawmilkproducedatdairyfarmsisstoredatcoolerstationsandthen shippedtomilkprocessingplants.Thismeansthatconsumersdonotdrinkrawmilkdirectly shippedfromdairyfarms. 4.Assuch,inordertoensurethesafetyofmilkanddairyproductsforconsumers,testingfor radioactivematerialsisconductedatcoolerstations,notatdairyfarms. Q2:Whereistheplaceoforiginofunprocessedmilkwrittenonthepackagelabel? A: 1.Formilkanddairyproducts,itisrequiredundertheFoodSanitationLawtoincludenotthe placeoforiginbutthelocationofthedairyplantonthepackagelabel. 2.Giventhis,therearecasesinwhichtheplaceoforiginisnotshownonthepackagelabel.The placeoforigincouldchangeaccordingtotheseasonandforotherreasons.Ifyouwouldliketo obtainsuchinformationformilkanddairyproducts,pleasecontacttheproducerscustomer supportcenter,etc. 3.Ifalevelofradioactivematerialsexceedingtheprovisionalregulationvaluessetunderthe FoodSanitationLawisdetectedinunprocessedmilkasaresultofcontamination,theheadof theNuclearEmergencyResponseHeadquarters(primeminister)instructstherelevant governortorestricttheshipmentoftheproduct.Inthiscase,theagriculturalcooperativeor thedairyproducerisrequiredtoconfirmthenameoftheshipperandtheplaceoforiginbefore theproductisshippedtoacoolerstationortoadairyplant.Therefore,itisimpossibleforthe

FoodandRadiationQ&A [provisionaltranslation] July1,2011 processedmilkproducedinshipmentrestrictedareastobemarketedandusedasaraw materialintheproductionofmilkanddairyproducts. Q3:Nointerimlimitsforradioactiveiodinehavebeensetformeatandeggs.Arentstandards necessary? A: 1.Therearenoprovisionalregulationvaluessetforiodineinmeatandeggs.Thatisbecause thelevelsofradioactiveiodinethataccumulateinmeatandeggsandaretransmittedto humansareconsideredtobelow,astheperiodfromproductiontoconsumptionexceeds radioactiveiodineshalflifeofeightdays. 2.Meanwhile,thehalflifeofradioactivecesiumisaslongas30years.Giventhis,theFood SanitationLawsetsthemaximumlimitforcesiuminfoodat500Bq/kg. 8.Watersafety Q1:Whatguidelinesareinplaceforradioactivesubstancesintapwater? A: 1.BasedontheguidelinevaluesforfoodanddrinkintakerestrictionssetbytheNuclear SafetyCommissionofJapan,themaximumlevelsforradioactivematerialsintapwaterare: (1) 300Bq/kgforradioactiveiodine(100Bq/kgforinfants) (2) 200Bq/kgforradioactivecesium(sameforinfants) 2.Iflevelsofradioactivematerialshigherthantheguidelinesaremeasuredintapwater throughmonitoringbywaterutilityentities(operatedbylocalgovernments),residentsshould refrainfromdrinkingtapwater.(SeeQ3) 3.Evenifwaterisfoundtocontainradioactivesubstancesatlevelsexceedingtheguidelines,it canbeusedforalmostanythingotherthanconsumption,suchasbathing,becausetheamount ofradioactivematerialstakenintothebodyisconsideredtobeconsiderablysmallerthaninthe caseofdrinkingthewater. Q2:Istestingoftapwaterbeingconductedproperly? A: 1.Prefecturalgovernmentsaretestingtheirtapwaterforradiation.

FoodandRadiationQ&A [provisionaltranslation] July1,2011 2.(Monitoringmethod) TheMinistryofHealth,LaborandWelfare(MHLW)compiledonApril4guidelinesforradiation monitoring.Theguidelinesrequirelocalwaterutilitiestomeasuremorethanonceaweekthe levelsofiodineandcesium,forthetimebeing,insamplestakenfromtapsorpurificationplants. (Ifradiationlevelsexceedingtheguidelinesaredetected,thelevelsshouldbemonitoredevery dayinprinciple.) 3.(Monitoredareas) IntheaftermathoftheaccidentsattheFukushimaDaiichiNuclearPowerPlant,levelsof radioactivematerialsexceedingtheguidelinesweredetectedintapwaterinpartsof Fukushima,Ibaraki,Tochigi,Chiba,Tokyo,andSaitamaprefectures,sorestrictionswere temporarilyplacedonwaterintakethere. 4.Forthisreason,theMHLWhasurgedthefollowingprefecturestomonitortheirtapwater: FukushimaPrefecture;itsneighboringprefectures(Miyagi,Yamagata,Niigata,Tochigi,and Ibarakiprefectures);andprefecturesintheKantoRegionwherethereisapossibilityofa certainamountofradioactivematerialsbeingdetected. 5.(Restrictionsonwaterintake) TheMHLWguidelinesformonitoringalsospecify: (1) Iftheaveragelevelsofradioactivematerialsintapwatersamplestakenforthree consecutivedaysexceedtheguidelines,therelevantlocalgovernmentsarerequired tonotifytheresidentsandrestricttheirwaterintake. (2) Ifmarkedlyhighlevelsofradioactivesubstancesaredetectedinasingletest,the relevantlocalgovernmentsarerequiredtonotifytheresidentsandrestricttheir waterintake. 6.Concerningwaterintake,pleasefollowtheinstructionsoflocalwaterutilities. Q3:Isthereanyreasontobeconcernedaboutdrinkingandcookingwithtapwater? A: 1.Inareaswhereradioactivesubstancesexceedingtheguidelinesarenotdetectedintapwater throughmonitoringbylocalwaterutilityentitiesoperatedbylocalgovernments,thewateris safetodrinkorcookwith. 2.Iftherelevantgovernmentrestrictswaterintakeafterradioactivematerialsexceedingthe guidelinesaredetected,residentsshouldrefrainfromdrinkingandcookingwithtapwater.

FoodandRadiationQ&A [provisionaltranslation] July1,2011 3.Evenso,theguidelinesweresetwithconsiderationgiventothepossiblenegativeeffectof radiationonhumanhealthontheassumptionofconsumingforalongperiodoftime. Therefore,ifthereisnoalternativedrinkingwateravailable,itisunlikelythathumanhealthwill beaffectedevenifthewaterisconsumedforabriefperiod.Sincerehydrationisparticularly essentialforinfants,pleaseplacepriorityonrehydrationandgiveinfantstapwaterinsuch situations. 4.Waterpurifiersarenotnecessarilyaneffectivewaytoremoveradioactivematerialsastheir capabilitiesdifferaccordingtothetypeofequipment. Q4:Isitsafetomixinfantformulawithtapwater? A: 1.Itissafetomixinfantformulawithtapwaterinareaswherethelevelsofradioactive materialsdonotexceedtheguidelines(radioactiveiodine:100Bq/kgforinfants). 2.Iflevelsofradioactivematerialsexceedingtheguidelinesaredetected,residentsshould refrainfromusingtapwatertodissolveinfantformula.(SeeParagraph3ofQ3ifalternative drinkingwaterisunavailable). 3.Inresponsetothedetectionofradioactivematerialsexceedingtheguidelinesinsomeareas onMarch21andafter,restrictionswereimposedonwaterintakeforinfants. 4.Afterward,theintakerestrictionswereremoved,asthelevelsofradioactivesubstancesin tapwaterwerelowerinsubsequentmonitoring.AsofJuly1,therearenoareaswhere restrictionsonwaterintakeareimposedforbothadultsandinfants. 5.Thewaterpackagedinplasticbottlesisclassifiedasveryhardwater,hardwater,mildlysoft water,andsoftwaterindescendingorderofmineralcontent.Fordissolvinginfantformula,itis notadvisabletouseveryhardwaterorhardwater.