Singapore AVA confirms that there are no food imports from Japan's affected areas
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AVA has stepped up surveillance of food imports from Japan to ensure they are safe for consumption.
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SINGAPORE: Singapore's Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) has confirmed there are no food imports from the affected regions in Japan since the start of the Fukushima nuclear plant incident.
Nonetheless, it has stepped up surveillance of food imports from Japan to ensure they are safe for consumption.
This was highlighted in the second joint statement issued Tuesday from several government agencies involved in the monitoring of radiation levels following the Japanese incident.
The statement stressed that samples of all fresh produce exported from Japan after March 11 are being tested for radioactive contaminants.
To date, more than 120 samples of fresh produce such as seafood, fruits, vegetables and meat were tested.
No radioactive contamination has been detected thus far.
Meanwhile, the government has again assured citizens that the likelihood of any radioactive plume reaching the country remains very low.
The National Environment Agency''s round-the-clock monitoring of radiation levels since the start of the accident shows an average reading of about 0.08 micro-Sieverts per hour.
This is safe and is within the normal range of Singapore''s natural background level.
Even in the event that prevailing winds were to transport a plume to Singapore, the government emphasised that the impact is expected to be insignificant.
The statement adds that the radioactive concentration of the plume, after travelling the long distance, would have been significantly reduced to the normal background levels.
On its part, the Health Ministry says any Singaporean who was outside the evacuation zones will not need any form of medical assessment.
Furthermore, transient consumption of produce and animal products at current reported levels of contamination is also unlikely to have any immediate adverse health effects.
The government adds there are no health reasons that would require the screening of passengers from Japan.
There is also no health risk associated with increased levels of radiation that have been detected at some airports.
Developments will be continually monitored and appropriate measures effected, should the need arise.
However, Singaporeans returning from the evacuation zone, who feel unwell may wish to seek medical advice at public hospitals.
The Ministry says among those who sought medical advice, none has tested positive for radiation exposure so far.
The government has also set up a micro-site, for the public to get updates on the Fukushima situation.
MICA has established a micro-site on www.gov.sg on the Government response to the Fukushima situation as a one-stop information portal for the public.
The site contains links to FAQs, the joint statement, hotlines and useful links to relevant ministries and agencies.
The microsite is also available through the www.gov.sg apps on the iPhone and Android phones, as well as the www.gov.sg mobile site.
For more information on the various areas of concern, please refer to the following sites and hotlines:
Average daily radiation level in Singapore: NEA''s website (www.nea.gov.sg), Twitter (NEAsg) and Facebook accounts (CGSingapore) or NEA Call Centre at Tel: 1800-2255632.
MFA''s travel advisory to Japan: Singaporeans who cannot avoid travelling to Japan at this time should eRegister with the MFA at www.mfa.gov.sg.
AVA''s surveillance of food imports: AVA''s website (www.ava.gov.sg). For general enquiries, the public can contact AVA''s hotline at Tel: 6325 7625
Health concerns and radiation exposure matters Ministry of Health''s FAQs and the World Health Organisation (WHO) FAQs on ''Nuclear Concerns in Japan.
For health-related queries, public can contact the MOH Hotline at Tel: 1800 333 9999
Monitoring of water supply: PUB at Tel: 1800-2846600
- CNA/cc
