JAPAN FOOD SAMPLES MEET ACCEPTABLE LEVELS

KUALA LUMPUR, April 11 (Bernama) - Some 139 food samples from Japan analysed for radioactive materials have been found to meet acceptable levels.

The public were urged not to worry about the safety of food imported from Japan, the Health Ministry said in a statement Monday night.

"The Health Ministry will not compromise on food safety issues especially those imported from Japan," the statement said.

All food products imported from Japan have to be accompanied by radioactive certificates and analysis certificates issued by the Competent Authority of Japan effective April 15 2011.

Malaysian food importers and Japanese food exporters must comply with this condition to avoid Japanese food products from being denied entry to Malaysia.

Meanwhile, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Dr Maximus Ongkili said four units at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant are still in serious condition.

This was based on the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) report on April 10 2011 at 11pm Malaysian time, he said in a statement tonight.

Monitoring by the Environmental Radiological Monitoring System (ERMS) at six locations nationwide still showed normal levels.