It is now 9 years after the nuclear disaster in Fukushima. In recent years we have had many questions about how we deal with importing products from Japan, what the EU standards are . How can we guarantee that our products are not contaminated with radio active radiation? An important question with a clear answer.
Fukushima: How we ensure you are not at risk
18 September 2023
Measures
After the disaster, many measures were taken. They had to, because safety is paramount. Throughout Japan, all food products went through extensive controls and hundreds of analyzes were performed.
Our Japanese producer Muso is no exception, checking its products very intensively since the disaster. The company has conducted nearly 1,000 analyzes since the disaster. The good news is that no radioactive contamination has been found in any of our products. We used the very strict standard of 3 Bq (becquerel). And yes, compared to EU standards of 500 Bq, ours is a fraction of what is permitted.
Analyzes below
Recently, another 30 analyzes were carried out on our products. We have carefully selected these products, so that we can be sure that all products are safe. For example, because the three types of tea come from the same plant and plantation, analyzing one type was sufficient. The outcome? All products are below the detection limit of 3 Bq. The limit of detection is the smallest amount that can be measured using the lab’s method. This limit can differ per product. So the conclusion is: all our Japanese products are super clean and safe.
Our standards vs European standards
We are super careful with these important things. That is why our standards are stricter than the European ones. This way we can give you absolute certainty. Find the differences in this table:
| Radiation standard at EU level |
500 Bq |
| Radiation standard Ökoinstitut | 50-100 Bq |
| Radiation standard TerraSana | < 20 Bq |
| Analyzes of TerraSana products to date | < 10 Bq |
Fewer measures after years of positive results
Although it is no longer necessary to carry out analyzes for most foods, the measures remain in force for certain products. This applies to mushrooms, tea, fish, certain edible wild plants, some fruits and vegetables, rice and soybeans from certain areas of Japan.
Where in Japan do our products come from?
Food is still grown in Fukushima province, but radioactive radiation is still found there. That is why we do not import any products from this region. Our producers are mainly located in the middle and south of Japan, or in the far north, at least 300 km from Fukushima.
What about the disposal of radioactive waste in the ocean?
Recently, Japan has started discharging radioactive cooling water into the sea near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. This cooling water has been stored in tanks on the plant’s premises for several years but has become too voluminous to contain.
This decision has implications for the environment and human health. However, what does it mean for TerraSana products produced in Japan? Our producer in Japan is very clear about this. Due to the considerable distance between the nuclear power plant and our production facilities, there is no risk of contamination. Fortunately, tests and checks carried out, such as on seaweed, have never shown any contamination with radioactive materials.