Inspection of Radioactivity in Distributed Seafood and Other Food Products in Jeonnam Province Confirms Safety

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] The Jeonnam Provincial Institute of Health and Environment announced on the 12th that all agricultural, marine products, and processed foods distributed within the province were confirmed to be safe after testing for radioactive contamination.

Since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan, the Provincial Institute of Health and Environment has been testing domestic production and distribution foods, as well as school meal ingredients, for radioactive contamination to alleviate consumer concerns about radiation.

The tests were conducted on a total of 171 cases, including 106 distributed food items (26 agricultural products, 30 marine products, 50 processed foods), 33 school meal ingredients, and 32 personal requests, with no radiation detected in any of them.

In the event of a nuclear accident, alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (γ) nuclides emit radiation; however, food inspections primarily test for cesium (Cs) and iodine (I), which are gamma (γ) nuclides and serve as contamination indicators.

Radioactive iodine accumulates in the thyroid gland and can cause thyroid cancer. Radioactive cesium is recognized by the body as potassium, leading to accumulation in various organs such as the kidneys, potentially causing cancer and other diseases.

The Provincial Institute of Health and Environment has conducted a total of 828 tests up to the end of last year. In preparation for the recent discharge of radioactive contaminated water from Japan, they have reinforced radiation testing equipment and plan to strengthen radiation inspections of distributed marine products in the event of discharge.

Yang Ho-cheol, head of the Pharmaceutical Chemistry Department, stated, “Since online purchases have increased due to COVID-19 since last year, we will also strengthen inspections of online sales products,” and added, “We will do our best to ensure radiation safety management for food in the Jeonnam region.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.