Early harvested rice in Fukushima declared safe

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Prefectural authorities in Fukushima, releasing the first results of tests for radiation on early harvested rice, declared Aug. 25 that some grain at least is safe to eat.

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By RYO INOUE / Staff Writer
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By RYO INOUE / Staff Writer
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Early harvested rice in Fukushima declared safe
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Prefectural authorities in Fukushima, releasing the first results of tests for radiation on early harvested rice, declared Aug. 25 that some grain at least is safe to eat.

Officials said no radioactive cesium was detected at levels above safety standards in rice harvested in Aizu-Bange, which is located more than 100 kilometers from the quake-stricken Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.

There were fears that radiation fallout from the facility had contaminated rice harvested across the prefecture in the fall.

Prefectural authorities carried out radiation checks on early harvested rice before the regular rice harvest got under way in September.

Officials examined samples collected Aug. 22 from four rice paddies in the Aizu-Bange area because low levels of soil contamination have been detected there.

Reacting to the announcement that the grain is safe for human consumption, prefectural Governor Yuhei Sato declared, "I am so relieved."

The prefectural government will continue its checks of early-harvested rice from 48 hectare-sized paddies spread across 20 town in the prefecture.

Rice producers from those towns asked for the radiation checks.

If radiation levels exceeding the safety standard of 500 becquerels of radioactive cesium per kilogram are detected, officials will ensure that all rice cultivated in the area in question is not transported elsewhere.

The prefectural government will also conduct pre-harvest checks on regular rice, including the popular Koshihikari brand, as well as post-harvest checks.

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