Gov’t orders local authorities to test for radioactivity in foods

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TOKYO, March 18, Kyodo

The government has instructed local governments to conduct tests for radioactivity levels in domestically produced foods using a provisional standard set up by the government for the first time ever, as a result of the evolving nuclear crisis at a Fukushima power plant crippled by last Friday’s magnitude 9.0 earthquake, ministry officials said Thursday.

”Although all the local authorities are required to conduct the tests, they will mainly be enforced on the fresh foods produced in municipalities related to the (nuclear power plant) accident,” said Kohei Otsuka, vice minister for health, labor and welfare.

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