HK bans Japanese aquatic products over food safety concerns

This follows Japan's plan to release nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station.

The Director of Food and Environmental Hygiene has issued a food safety order prohibiting the import and supply of Japanese aquatic products, sea salt, and seaweeds in Hong Kong. 

This action follows Japan's decision to discharge nuclear-contaminated water from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Station. The ban affects products from Tokyo, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Chiba, Tochigi, Niigata, Nagano, and Saitama prefectures.

The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) will also conduct radiological tests on other Japanese aquatic products not covered by the ban to ensure their radiation levels meet safety guidelines before allowing them into the market. 

Given the unprecedented nature of the water discharge, which will continue for 30 years or more, authorities plan to closely monitor the situation and may further tighten the import ban if necessary.

Between 16 and 17 September, the CFS tested 163 food samples from Japan, including aquatic products, seaweeds, and sea salt, and found none exceeding radiological safety thresholds.