DOH says no PHL ban yet on food products from Japan

(Updated 8:09 p.m.) The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday clarified there was still no importation ban on Japan-sourced food products, which the agency said were still safe to consume. At a press conference in Manila, DOH officials said the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is still continuously monitoring food products coming from the four Japanese prefectures affected by radiation leaks from the quake-crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The FDA said it would conduct more random samplings of products from Japan, then pass them to the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) to test for any signs of toxic hazard. An earlier random sampling of six food products from Japan – including rice, noodles, chocolates, and biscuits – produced negative results, the DOH was quoted as stating in a GMA News “Balitanghali" report. The DOH and FDA assurances came a day after Bureau of Animal Industry director Dr. Efren Nuestro gave a “verbal order" to importers that the BAI will stop issuing veterinary quarantine clearances for chocolate milk products imported from the Japanese prefectures of Fukushima, Fushigi, Ibaraki, and Gunma. (See: No more Japan choco for now, says PHL govt) The DOH said it would coordinate with the BAI about the latter's apparently contradictory statement about the food ban. FDA to prioritize milk and seafoods testing Meanwhile, the FDA maintained on Friday that imported food products from Japan now being sold in local markets are safe and free from radiation contamination. In a release posted on the DOH website, results of radioactivity measurements done by the PNRI on food products imported from Japan and collected by the FDA from the local market, showed the products are safe. Nevertheless, the DOH said agencies with jurisdiction over food products will do random sampling of food products arriving after March 21 for testing by the PNRI, to ensure that products reaching the country are free from radiation contamination. “Priority is placed on milk products and seafoods," the DOH added. According to the DOH, the FDA and the PNRI conducted a technical briefing with 18 importers of processed food from Japan to discuss the proposed random sampling of food products, as well as the procedures in the collection and testing of the samples. “The PNRI will carry out the testing and the food importers will be responsible for the payment of testing fees," the DOH said, adding that many of the importers are willing to subject their products to voluntary testing. The sampling will be carried out initially in Manila ports, in cooperation with the Bureau of Customs. The DOH explained that the standards to be followed in the testing are those outlined in the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which sets the limits on the acceptable levels of radiation following accidental nuclear contamination. “The FDA is conducting an inventory of food products imported from Japan and monitors incoming shipment. It will be collecting samples for testing on a daily basis starting (March 25)," said the department. 'No need for radiation screening' Meanwhile, the Bureau of Quarantine said as that of the moment, there is still no need to place radiation screening machines inside sea ports and airports. The Health department assured the public of an intensified information drive about radiation-related illnesses and how to prevent them. Health officials also said changing clothes and taking a bath could easily cleanse the body of external contaminants due to radiation exposure. In recent days, at least six countries have imposed tighter restrictions on food and milk products imported from Japan, especially from its four most affected prefectures. The countries are South Korea, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and the United States. —With Reuters report, JMA/JV, GMA News