THE Union government has banned imports of food products from Japan for three months with immediate effect.
In a statement, the government said that the ban would remain in force till such time that the radiation hazard does not subside to acceptable limits.
India's imports from Japan primarily consist of processed foods in small quantities.
At a recent meeting with experts from the Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Atomic Energy Regulatory Board and the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India took stock of the situation that had arisen due to the nuclear disaster in Japan.
As per a statement, following in-depth deliberations, it was concluded that since the radiation was spreading / expanding horizontally to other parts of Japan, it could lead to further radioactive contamination in the supply chain of food products exports from the country.
Source : Exim News Service - NEW DELHI, April 7