S. Korea considers ban on Japanese food imports

The Korea Food and Drug Administration said that the ban, if instituted, would apply to foods from the prefectures of Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi and Gunma.

It was not clear whether all produce would be affected, or only specified foodstuffs.

"We are still debating about it," an administration official said, adding Seoul was closely monitoring similar actions taken by the United States and other countries.

The United States blocked imports of dairy and other produce from areas near the Fukushima nuclear plant, which was hit by a powerful quake and tsunami on March 11, followed by a series of explosions and fires.

France has urged the European Union to also impose "systematic controls" on Japanese food imports.

Seoul's food safety agency said South Korea might have to take more extensive measures than other countries because of its proximity to Japan.

It indicated it would consider widening any ban to cover all food imports South Korea began testing fresh food imports from Japan for radiation last week and expanded its screening this week to include processed products and food additives.

Prime Minister Kim Hwang-Shik directed health officials to take "thorough and preventive" measures and step up radiation monitoring of farm and seafood products from Japan.

"Food safety has a tremendous influence not only on public health but also their trust in government policies," he said.

Fears over the effects of the Fukushima crisis have already prompted two major South Korean retailers to suspend sales of Japanese fish.

Source: AFP