THAILAND: Radiation checks conducted on imported Japanese food

Record ID: 465670

  • Title: THAILAND: Radiation checks conducted on imported Japanese food
  • Date: 17th March 2011
  • Summary: BANGKOK, THAILAND (MARCH 16, 2011) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR SUWANNABHUM CARGO TERMINAL INTERIOR SUWANNABHUM CARGO TERMINAL BOXES OF FROZEN FISH BEHIND CHILLER TRUCK FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, FDA CHECKING FROZEN FISH VARIOUS OF FDA OFFICER FDA OFFICER TAKING SAMPLES OF FROZEN FISH VARIOUS OF FDA OFFICER CHECKING FDA OFFICERS HOLDING FROZEN FISH VARIOUS OF REPORTER (SOUNDBITE) (THAI) PEANRUTHAI SAORUMMANEE, FDA OFFICER SAYING "Until we're certain about it that it is safe. We focus on consumers' safety" STREET OF BANGKOK EXTERIOR OF JAPANESE RESTAURANT VARIOUS OF PEDESTRIANS (SOUNDBITE) (THAI) KATEMANEE CHAMSAWAS, FAN OF JAPANESE FOOD, SAYING "I go every week (to Japanese restaurant) but I'm concerned about the news about Japanese nuclear plant explosion. I think I might stop eating there. News reports said they use sea water to solve the problem, and the fish is in the sea water. I'm afraid of the radioactivity." VARIOUS OF PEDESTRIANS
  • Embargoed: 1st April 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Thailand, Thailand
  • Country: Thailand
  • Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes,Health
  • Reuters ID: LVAEXJBRAQITMEB9YGFDOQHK7HS2
  • Story Text: Thailand's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday (March 16) collected samples of frozen food from Japan to check for possible radiation contamination after the massive quake and tsunami caused leakage of radiation from a nuclear power plant.
    FDA officers said they collected frozen fish arriving from Japan at Suvarnabhumi Airport cargo terminal, and would send samples for testing to the Office of Atoms for Peace, the main authority in nuclear energy research in Thailand.
    FDA official Peanruthai Saorummanee said of the timeframe for the checks: "Until we're certain about it that it is safe. We focus on consumers' safety."
    Japanese food is very popular in Thailand. Seafood and fruits imported from Japan go straight to Japanese restaurants mainly in Bangkok, and some to supermarkets.
    There are hundreds of Japanese restaurants across the country. As fears of a spike in radiation levels gripped Japan, Thais have expressed concern about Japanese products.
    "I go every week (to a Japanese restaurant) but I'm concerned about the news about the Japanese nuclear plant explosion. I think I might stop eating there. News reports said they use sea water to solve the problem, and the fish is in the sea water. I'm afraid of the radioactivity," said Katemanee Chamsawas, who said she loves Japanese food.
    Thai authorities said they would urge food importers to avoid or at least reduce imports of Japanese products including meat, dairy products, seafood and seaweed.
    Imported Japanese food products such as chocolate, ice cream and cookies are considered luxury items by Thais and are popular in gourmet supermarkets.
    Thailand has a big Japanese population of over 45,000 in major cities such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai and the industrial provinces of Chonburi and Rayong.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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