US and EU relax Fukushima food import regulations
On September 24, 2021, according to the US Food Safety News Network, the United States and the European Union have changed the regulations for importing food from areas near Fukushima, Japan.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lifted the import alert, and the European Commission has revised its regulations to modify the inspection of food imports.
In March 2011, an accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant released radioactive pollution to the surrounding area.
After the accident, the Japanese government determined that certain foods in the affected counties (also known as prefectures) were not suitable for human consumption because radionuclide contamination would bring public health risks. The sale and export of these foods in Japan is prohibited.