Our Seafood Is Safe! ... Pohang City Makes Every Effort to Manage Locally Distributed Seafood

Seafood Quality Control Center, Over 50 Radiation Tests Results → 'Safe'

Strengthening Customized Hygiene Inspections for Fisheries Workers, Supporting Radiation Testing

On the 12th, Pohang City announced that out of about 50 seafood samples produced, processed, and distributed within the region that underwent radiation testing, not a single sample showed any detection of radiation.

A research officer in charge at Pohang City is visiting the early morning auction market to check samples to be used for radiation testing.

The Pohang Seafood Quality Control Center established radiation testing facilities and equipment for seafood in June, becoming the first basic local government to do so, in response to the imminent discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan. This was to alleviate citizens' concerns and strengthen the safety of seafood within the jurisdiction by operating a one-month pilot monitoring system.

The monitoring targets included 27 seafood items produced within Pohang City and 23 seafood processed products distributed in the area, totaling 50 representative items. The testing items were iodine (131I) and cesium (134Cs, 137Cs), which are indicators used by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for food radiation testing.

No items tested positive for radiation, and the test results are disclosed to citizens through the Pohang City website and application.

As the radiation testing system stabilizes, the center plans to increase the frequency and intervals of testing and form a citizen monitoring participation group to ensure continuous and transparent inspections.

Additionally, to support radiation testing for seafood industry workers within Pohang City, a customized hygiene inspection support project will be promoted.

Through customized hygiene inspections, the center will test for harmful factors and food poisoning bacteria that may occur during the production and distribution processes of seafood and seafood processed products, and provide hygiene consulting guidance to support small-scale seafood industry workers in the area.

Furthermore, to respond to the contraction of seafood consumption sentiment following the decision to discharge contaminated water from the nuclear power plant and to promote the safety and excellence of local seafood, radiation testing will be additionally expanded from raw materials to finished products within the customized hygiene inspection field.

Producer groups or seafood processing companies wishing to apply for customized hygiene inspections can contact the Pohang Seafood Quality Control Center for consultation and registration. When submitting samples for testing, the amount of sample required per item must be at least 1 kg of edible parts.

In addition, the Seafood Quality Control Center plans to expand seawater radiation monitoring tests starting in August by establishing pretreatment facilities for seawater radiation monitoring and linking with Pohang City's administrative guidance vessel, 'Yeonoseoho.'

Kim Jae-seon, head of the Seafood Quality Control Center, said, "We will strive to make Pohang a hub that guarantees the safety of East Coast seafood," and added, "We will continue transparent and systematic radiation testing to alleviate consumers' concerns about seafood and provide safe food that citizens can trust and consume."

In December 2021, Pohang Seafood Quality Control Research Institute was designated as a delegated institution for seafood self-quality inspection by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the first among local governments nationwide. This year, it merged with the Guryongpo Gwamegi Culture Center and is now operated as the 'Seafood Quality Control Center,' leading seafood safety and quality management based on accredited testing capabilities.

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