3rd October 2023 – (Hong Kong) In response to the Japanese government’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 in Hong Kong. The order prohibits the import and supply of all aquatic products, sea salt, and seaweeds originating from ten metropolis/prefectures, including Tokyo, Fukushima, Ibaraki, Miyagi, Chiba, Gunma, Tochigi, Niigata, Nagano, and Saitama.
For other Japanese aquatic products, sea salt, and seaweeds not included in the ban, the Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department will conduct comprehensive radiological tests to ensure that radiation levels remain within guideline limits before allowing them to be supplied in the market.
Given the unprecedented and long-term nature of the nuclear-contaminated water discharge, the government will closely monitor and strengthen testing arrangements. In the event of anomalies, the government is prepared to further tighten the scope of the import ban.
Between noon on 29th September and noon today (3rd October), the CFS conducted radiological tests on 306 food samples imported from Japan, falling under the category of “aquatic and related products, seaweeds, and sea salt” over the past four days, including weekends.
Additionally, the Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department (AFCD) conducted radiological tests on 50 samples of local catch, all of which passed the tests.
To ensure overall safety, the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) has enhanced environmental monitoring of local waters, which has not detected any anomalies thus far.
Since 24th August until noon today, the CFS and AFCD have conducted radiological tests on a total of 6,443 samples of food imported from Japan, including 3,992 samples of aquatic and related products, seaweeds, and sea salt, as well as 2,004 samples of local catch. All samples have passed the tests, ensuring the safety of food in Hong Kong.