FDA, PNRI eye random inspection of food items from Japan

Even as they met with importers on Wednesday to discuss food safety, the Food and Drug Administration and the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute are still considering random inspections of food products imported from Japan to ensure these are not tainted with nuclear radiation. The random inspections are on top of the scanning being done by the PNRI at major ports, radio dzBB reported. Representatives of the PNRI and FDA met with the importers and exporters in hopes of addressing public fears about nuclear radiation contamination. The report quoted traders at the meeting as saying that they will continue to import food items from Japan, and will just coordinate more closely with government in addressing fears of contamination. Luis Lim, an importer of Japanese seasoning products, said they are open to the government's plan to conduct random radiation testing. Fears of contamination stemmed from the radiation from a quake-crippled nuclear power plant in the Fukushima area devastated by magnitude-9 quake that triggered a 10-meter-high tsunami last March 11. FDA Director Suzette Lazo said the meeting stemmed from the concerns of importers and exporters that they may lose business because of public fears of contamination of food items from Japan. During the meeting, the government officials told the importers there is nothing to worry about that matter, at least for now. — LBG/KBK, GMA News