Japan bans rice from Fukushima due to high radiation levels

Japan has imposed a ban on rice shipments from Fukushima prefecture after samples showed levels of radioactive contamination higher than the permitted standards.

According to farm ministry officials, tests were conducted to allay consumer fears over the safety of local produce.

The rice samples, which were collected in early November at a farm in Onami 57km from the stricken nuclear plant, had radioactive cesium levels measuring 630 becquerels per kg, exceeding the government-approved limit of 500 becquerels per kg.

This is the first restriction imposed on rice sales since the nuclear disaster, which was caused by a massive earthquake and tsunami that struck the island nation in March 2011.

Japanese-grown grain is considered to be of higher quality than the imported varieties, and is protected heavily by tariffs.

Japan, which produced 8.3Mt of rice last year, mostly consumes its own produce, and exported only 1,900t to countries including Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan.