FDA starts testing of Japan food

MANILA, Philippines—The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Monday said it had started getting samples of food products imported from Japan for possible radioactive contamination.

“The FDA is closely coordinating with the Philippine National Research Institute, the agency tasked with monitoring the radiation level of the environment as well as food,” said FDA chief Suzette Lazo.

Lazo said the FDA had started sampling food products from Japan “to measure the baseline radioactivity level as this supply was procured before the current crisis.”

The Bureau of Customs said its enforcement units would be placed on heightened alert and would keep an eye on poultry, milk and meat products imported from Japan.

The bureau will also monitor food products brought in by arriving passengers from Japan, Customs Deputy Commissioner Horacio Suansing said.

Suansing said the majority of the products imported from Japan were electronic gadgets.

Most milk products entering the Philippines come from New Zealand, Australia and the United States, while steak and other meat products imported from Japan “are very limited,” he said.