USA: Low levels of radiation found in food

The three reactors of Fukushima in meltdown are emitting significant quantities of radioactive isotopes that are contaminating air, water, soil and food in a steady stream that may continue for a long time, Compass Natural reports. Radiation continues to blow across the Pacific Ocean toward North America, following the course of the jet stream in the atmosphere and major currents in the ocean. Since the accident on 12 March 2011, radioactive fallout from Fukushima has been spreading to the USA and across the northern hemisphere.

The  Food and Drug Administration in the USA says there is no danger to food or seafood and therefore testing is not necessary, and the Environmental Protection Agency discontinued its Fukushima radiation monitoring effort. Yet, in limited testing conducted by states and independent labs since the accident, radioactive iodine and cesium have appeared at elevated levels in milk and vegetables produced in California. Radiation has also been detected in milk sold in Arizona, Arkansas, Hawaii, Vermont and Washington. University of California reported levels of radioactive cesium 137 in samples of kale, strawberries and grass grown in northern California in mid-May, and has also found higher than normal levels of cesium 134 and cesium 137 in foods grown in the Bay Area, including spinach, arugula and wild-harvested mushrooms.
 

The University's Department of Nuclear Engineering (UCB) reported on 25 May that it had detected the highest level of radioactive cesium 137 in nearly a month in raw milk samples taken from a dairy in Sonoma County where the cows are grass fed, and also reported elevated levels of cesium 134 and cesium 137 in pasteurized, homogenized milk samples with a “best by” date of May 26 from a Bay Area organic dairy where the farmers are encouraged to feed their cows local grass. Radiation concentrates in milk because cows eat grass, and grass and broad-leafed vegetables such as spinach and kale are among the first crops to accumulate radiation from nuclear fallout. Organically raised cows are therefore more vulnerable. However, organic proponents ensure consumers that any levels of radiation are minute and present no risk, and that the benefits of consuming organic milk far outweigh any such risks.

Compass Natural