Tokyo to check radioactive levels in processed foods

The Tokyo Government is set to conduct random sample tests on 500 fresh and processed food items to check radioactivity levels, according to officials.

The samples of the food items, which have been produced in East Japan, will be picked up from retail outlets.

The government is initiating this step in response to people’s growing fears about food safety since the nuclear disaster in Fukushima, which was triggered by the earthquake and tsunami that struck the island nation in March.

Officials will screen processed foods such as tofu, boiled beans, juice and jam, as well as fresh foods such as meat and foods consumed by children, Yomiuri.co.jp reported.

The inspections, which will be conducted from this month through to the end of fiscal 2011, will, however, exclude beef, milk, eggs, vegetables and fish as the government is already screening these products.

If any of these items show more than the acceptable limit of 50 becquerels per kg of radioactive substances, they will be screened further.

The test results will be published on the Tokyo metropolitan government website, which will reveal the names of the products containing radioactive substances above the acceptable levels.