Singapore Halts Food Imports from Japan's Radiation-affected Areas

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) of Singapore has suspended with immediate effect the import of milk and milk products, fruits and vegetables, seafood and meat from Japan's radiation-affected prefectures, local media reported Thursday.

The suspension of the food from Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi and Gunma prefectures will be a "precautionary measure" in light of recent developments in Japan, the authority said.

The authority said it has received information that the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has detected high radioactivity levels in raw milk and vegetables from the prefectures.

The Japanese government has also ordered a stop to the sale of raw milk and certain vegetables from the affected prefectures of Fukushima and Ibaraki.

The move was in line with the precautionary approach adopted by other countries such as the United States and Australia, the authority said, adding that it will continue to closely monitor and test imports of food from Japan.