magus.immortalis1
New member
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2009
- Messages
- 19
This includes food, cars and electronics.
A while ago, I bought some oolong tea in a bottle that was from Japan, and a close relative mentioned to me that I should not get anything from Japan anymore, because of the radiation. Here is an article for your consideration.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-o ... cle573114/
Government agencies in Canada and the United States are working to quell consumer fears about possible radiological contamination of Japanese exports such as automobiles, electronics and food.
The potential for a public health scare increased on Friday after Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. disclosed it has begun testing cars made in Japan for possible traces of radioactive material before they are shipped to overseas markets including Canada and the United States.
Nissan stressed that it is not the only auto maker taking such precautions, noting that members of the Japanese Automotive Manufacturers Association (JAMA) have all agreed to similar safeguards.
Consumer fears of radiation in North American markets would be a devastating blow to Japan's export-driven economy, which is still grappling with a nuclear emergency and overwhelming human tragedy.
The U.S., in particular, is a prime market for Japanese exports. As a result, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have taken great pains to assure Americans their screening processes are robust. The border agency's front-line staff already conduct radiation screening at airports and other points of entry and is "specifically assessing the potential for radiological contamination associated with the ongoing impact of the earthquake and tsunami to Japan's nuclear facilities."
The FDA, meanwhile, is screening food but also gathering information on all regulated food exports from Japan, including where they are grown or manufactured, to better evaluate whether they pose any risk to consumers.
For its part, Nissan said it would continue to implement "all appropriate measures to reassure the public that all products from our company remain within globally accepted safety standards and until we are confident that any risk of contamination is completely removed."
Didier Marsaud, a spokesman for Nissan Canada Inc., said the standards set by JAMA would ensure that any potential radiation on Japanese-made cars would be detected in Japan and would never leave the country in an unsafe manner.
"This a preventive measure JAMA put in place in order to reassure consumers and we hope it this will raise consumer confidence."
Honda Canada Inc. could not immediately confirm whether its parent company was also conducting similar tests on its vehicles or auto parts bound for its two Canadian assembly plants.
Toyota Canada Inc., meanwhile, said all Toyota plants are "well outside" the zones designated for evacuation. "None of the areas in which our production plants are located have been found to have radiation levels that could have a negative effect on human health."
Joe Phillippi, president of Auto Trends Consulting in Short Hills, N.J., said he doubts the issue will hurt North American consumer confidence in Japanese goods. Still, he suggested Nissan was wise to take action and be transparent.
"They are being cautious in trying, in a sense, get out ahead of any potential bad news article in the media," he said.
In Ottawa, Health Canada is leading a co-ordinated effort to assess any possible health risks along with The Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the Canada Border Service Agency, Environment Canada and Public Safety Canada, among others.
"We're monitoring the situation as it develops and we'll be acting accordingly," said Gary Holub, a spokesman for Health Canada. "We're working closely with all other federal departments that would have a jurisdiction or a mandate regarding the crisis."
So, far Health Canada has chosen not to screen passengers arriving in Canada from Japan for radiation but has not ruled out doing so down the road if necessary.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says the continuing crisis in Japan poses "no current risk to food" in Canada, echoing a similar message from the U.S. FDA.
A while ago, I bought some oolong tea in a bottle that was from Japan, and a close relative mentioned to me that I should not get anything from Japan anymore, because of the radiation. Here is an article for your consideration.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-o ... cle573114/
Government agencies in Canada and the United States are working to quell consumer fears about possible radiological contamination of Japanese exports such as automobiles, electronics and food.
The potential for a public health scare increased on Friday after Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. disclosed it has begun testing cars made in Japan for possible traces of radioactive material before they are shipped to overseas markets including Canada and the United States.
Nissan stressed that it is not the only auto maker taking such precautions, noting that members of the Japanese Automotive Manufacturers Association (JAMA) have all agreed to similar safeguards.
Consumer fears of radiation in North American markets would be a devastating blow to Japan's export-driven economy, which is still grappling with a nuclear emergency and overwhelming human tragedy.
The U.S., in particular, is a prime market for Japanese exports. As a result, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have taken great pains to assure Americans their screening processes are robust. The border agency's front-line staff already conduct radiation screening at airports and other points of entry and is "specifically assessing the potential for radiological contamination associated with the ongoing impact of the earthquake and tsunami to Japan's nuclear facilities."
The FDA, meanwhile, is screening food but also gathering information on all regulated food exports from Japan, including where they are grown or manufactured, to better evaluate whether they pose any risk to consumers.
For its part, Nissan said it would continue to implement "all appropriate measures to reassure the public that all products from our company remain within globally accepted safety standards and until we are confident that any risk of contamination is completely removed."
Didier Marsaud, a spokesman for Nissan Canada Inc., said the standards set by JAMA would ensure that any potential radiation on Japanese-made cars would be detected in Japan and would never leave the country in an unsafe manner.
"This a preventive measure JAMA put in place in order to reassure consumers and we hope it this will raise consumer confidence."
Honda Canada Inc. could not immediately confirm whether its parent company was also conducting similar tests on its vehicles or auto parts bound for its two Canadian assembly plants.
Toyota Canada Inc., meanwhile, said all Toyota plants are "well outside" the zones designated for evacuation. "None of the areas in which our production plants are located have been found to have radiation levels that could have a negative effect on human health."
Joe Phillippi, president of Auto Trends Consulting in Short Hills, N.J., said he doubts the issue will hurt North American consumer confidence in Japanese goods. Still, he suggested Nissan was wise to take action and be transparent.
"They are being cautious in trying, in a sense, get out ahead of any potential bad news article in the media," he said.
In Ottawa, Health Canada is leading a co-ordinated effort to assess any possible health risks along with The Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the Canada Border Service Agency, Environment Canada and Public Safety Canada, among others.
"We're monitoring the situation as it develops and we'll be acting accordingly," said Gary Holub, a spokesman for Health Canada. "We're working closely with all other federal departments that would have a jurisdiction or a mandate regarding the crisis."
So, far Health Canada has chosen not to screen passengers arriving in Canada from Japan for radiation but has not ruled out doing so down the road if necessary.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says the continuing crisis in Japan poses "no current risk to food" in Canada, echoing a similar message from the U.S. FDA.