April 8, 2011

South Korea inspects local meat products for radiation

South Korea has begun inspecting local meat products for radioactive contamination to ease public concerns following the detection of radionuclides in the atmosphere, a state quarantine service said Thursday (Apr 7).

The National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service (NVRQS) confirmed that it started checking for contaminants in meat produced on the country's east coast, Jeju Island off the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula and along the demilitarised zone that separates South and North Korea.

"Detailed inspections started as of this week," it said, adding that samples are also being collected from meat produced by animals near the country's four nuclear power stations. The measures follow the detection of radioactive particles such as iodine-131 and cesium-137 across the country from March 28 onwards. Minute particles have also been found in rainwater, although the level of concentration is too small to pose health risks to humans or the environment.

In addition to checking meat, the NVRQS said it plans to examine 80 random samples of raw milk produced by domestic cows to see if they have been contaminated. Meanwhile, the agency, under the farm ministry, said it has stopped imports of Japanese farm products from areas affected by radioactive fallouts, and is currently checking all food products from the island nation for possible contamination. Of the 6,267kg worth of processed Japanese meat and dairy products checked as of Wednesday (Apr 6), none have tested positive for contamination.