Testing for Radiation in Domestic and Imported Food

As part of the Government of Canada’s response to the nuclear crisis in Japan, which includes radiation surveillance and monitoring activities across Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has initiated a sampling and testing strategy for imported products from Japan and domestically produced milk from British Columbia. Additional products may be assessed in the future as the situation evolves and circumstances warrant.

Imported Products from Japan

The CFIA is sampling and testing food and feed products imported from Japan to monitor radiation levels. This approach targets the commodities posing the greatest risk to consumers, such as fresh fruits and vegetables and also includes a broader range of other commodities.

Import volumes from Japan are very low. As of April 27, 2011, 32 samples were tested and all products were below Health Canada action levels for pertinent radionuclides. This information will be updated weekly.

Domestic Milk from British Columbia

As expected, negligible levels of radioactivity have been detected along the North American west coast. The radiation levels found on the west coast are less than the natural levels of radiation that would be detected when it rains or snows.

• Radiation Data Tables for Government of Canada Monitoring Systems

Nonetheless, as a prudent measure and out of an abundance of caution to reaffirm the safety of this dietary staple for the majority of Canadians, samples of domestically produced milk from British Columbia were tested to verify that milk remains safe for consumption.

As of April 27, 2011, 14 samples were tested and all products were below Health Canada action levels for pertinent radionuclides.

As part of Health Canada's total diet study, the Government collects information on normal background levels of radionuclides in food. The total diet study is a survey of contaminants in food and is an important tool used to estimate Canadians’ exposure to contaminants through the food supply. This information gives us a baseline of the normal levels of these materials in food.

• Canadian Total Diet Study

Health Canada has also implemented action levels for radionuclides in food. These radionuclides levels can be applied during a radiation-related emergency. The action levels are applied to pertinent radionuclides based on the risk they represent.

• Canadian Guidelines for the Restriction of Radioactively Contaminated Food and Water Following a Nuclear Emergency

Should products be detected that have levels above Health Canada’s action levels for radionuclides they will be disposed of in accordance with protocols from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.