Radiation prompts halt of tea leaf shipments (JAPAN)

[AsahinaKimi]

The Yomiuri Shimbun

The government has ordered the suspension of tea leaf shipments from Ibaraki Prefecture and parts of Kanagawa, Chiba and Tochigi prefectures after radioactive cesium exceeding government limits was found in fresh and dried leaves.

The radiation was first detected last month, but since contamination levels change depending on the stage of processing, the decision on limiting shipments was delayed due to internal government debate. It was officially announced Thursday that shipments of tea leaves that exceed the safety limit of 500 becquerels per kilogram should be suspended, no matter what stage of processing the leaves are at.

In addition to the whole of Ibaraki Prefecture, the restrictions cover six municipalities both in Kanagawa and Chiba prefectures and two in Tochigi Prefecture. Radiation levels in tea leaves from one municipality in both Fukushima and Gunma prefectures also exceeded the limit, but the government decided not to restrict shipments there and will continue to monitor samples.

Radioactive cesium in dried ara cha tea leaves are reportedly five times higher than in fresh leaves.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T110603004484.htm

[HopeHoops]

1. Does Sarah Palin know about this?

Just kidding.

[Poll_Blind]

2. If you regularly purchase comestibles from Japan, as I do, STOCK UP.

Some of the best stuff from Japan is cured in such a way as to make it vulnerable to contamination.

BTW, Miso paste can be frozen and can last up to 8 or so years I've heard.

PB

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. The only source of COQ10 ingredient comes from Japan.

I have no idea where or how it is processed there, tho.

[Richard D]

4. I guess we only need a few thousand years supply . . .