SINGAPORE: Several Asian governments said Monday they would screen food imported from Japan for radiation after one of the country's nuclear power plants was damaged by a massive earthquake and tsunami. Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Taiwan said they would take precautionary measures after two explosions at the ageing Fukushima plant 250km northeast of Tokyo. “As far as radiation is concerned, I think the most at-risk articles are those fresh products, perhaps dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables,” Hong Kong's Secretary for Food and Health York Chow told reporters. He said authorities in the southern Chinese territory were “monitoring the situation and also doing the checking at the importation venues to ascertain that they have not been affected”. “In case we detect anything, of course we will ban those products from Hong Kong.” Singapore's food regulator said: “As a precautionary measure, AVA (the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore) will monitor Japanese produce based on source and potential risk of contamination. – Agence France
