An oats sample imported from Japan was found to contain low level of radioactivity, according to a spokesman for the Hong Kong's Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.
The test result showed that a low level of a radioactive substance, Caesium-137 (Cs-137), was detected at 7 Bq/kg. However, the detected level did not exceed the guideline levels of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
Even a high consumption of the oats would not lead to adverse health effects.
CFS noted that it has announced the test result in view of public concern about radioactivity in food products following the nuclear power plant incident at Fukushima in March 2011.
The product in which radioactivity was found is Nihonshokuhin Premium Pure Oatmeal, 300g, manufactured by Nippon Food Manufacturer. It was manufactured in Hokkaido, Japan and had a best before date of 16 November 2012. The sample was collected from a local supermarket.
The spokesman said the CFS will continue to closely monitor information from Japan as well as the radiation testing results of Japanese food products in Hong Kong and elsewhere.
"It will review and adjust, if necessary, the surveillance strategy on food products imported from Japan in a timely manner, making reference to the recommendations of international authorities, to safeguard food safety," he added.
