The detection of radiation in food in Japan following the devastating earthquake is more serious than initially feared, said the World Health Organisation (WHO) today.
But the European Union said there were no current health risks to the region’s consumers as the bloc imported little food from Japan. It confirmed that control measures would be stepped up in the wake of the disaster that seriously damaged a Japanese nuclear reactor triggering a radiation leak.
Serious situation
Peter Cordingley, Manila-based spokesman for WHO's regional office for the Western Pacific, told Reuters: "Quite clearly it's a serious situation. It's a lot more serious than anybody thought in the early days when we thought that this kind of problem can be limited to 20 to 30 kilometres.”
The WHO spokesman said there was no current evidence to suggest that contaminated food had been exported to other countries although "it's safe to suppose that some contaminated produce got out of the contamination zone," he said.
Leafy green vegetables, meat, milk and eggs are likely to be most at risk from contamination, said the WHO in guidance released today. However, canned food was less likely to be affected because of food processor control mechanisms.
Regional anxieties surfaced last week as reports emerged of contaminated vegetables, milk, water and dust from Japan in the aftermath of the huge quake and subsequent tsunami that is believed to have killed tens of thousands and smashed the Daiichi nuclear reactor in Fukushima.
Japan has forbidden the sale of raw milk from Fukushima prefecture and spinach from another nearby area. It said more restrictions on food may be announced later on Monday. Government officials admitted that some food with radioactivity above the safety limit might be on shop shelves in Japan.
Last week, the European Commission said there were currently no health risks to consumers as Japan was authorised to export few food products of animal origin into the region – including some vegetables, bivalve molluscs, feed and feed derivatives.
The EC representative reassured a meeting of the Council of Ministers that “following the possible radioactive contamination of the products, controls will be reinforced by the Member States importing such products”.
WHO guidance
The Geneva-based body today issued more detailed guidance on the possible risk of food contamination from radiation.
A number of compounds are of particular concern for food contamination - including isotopes of strontium, isotopes of iodine - particularly iodine 131, and isotopes of caesium, notably caesium 137.
Leafy greens will be most exposed to direct contact from contaminated air, it added. Meat, milk and egg products will be at risk of contamination through the animal eating contaminated grass or feed.
Processed products such as canned foods are unlikely to contain potentially contaminated raw material because of the existing safety and quality screening mechanisms already in place in the food industry.
(vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tuna exports reached USD 81 million in April 2026, down 6% compared to the same period in 2025. In the first four months of the year, export turnover totaled USD 289 million, down 4.8%. Although the overall export picture has yet to brighten significantly, market trends are becoming increasingly diversified rather than moving in a single direction.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s pangasius industry is undergoing strong restructuring starting from the broodstock and fingerling segment in order to improve productivity, quality, and export competitiveness. This is considered a critical foundation for the sustainable development of the industry amid rising production costs and increasingly stringent market requirements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to Vietnam Customs data, pangasius exports in April 2026 reached USD 206 million, up 18% compared to the same period in 2025 — marking another consecutive month of double-digit growth since the beginning of the year. Cumulative pangasius export turnover in the first four months of 2026 reached USD 720 million, up 17% year-on-year, reflecting the positive growth momentum of this key export product.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s shrimp exports in the first four months of 2026 maintained positive growth momentum, reaching approximately USD 1.5 billion, up 15% compared to the same period last year. However, behind this result lies diverging trends across markets, as the global shrimp industry continues to face pressure from inflation, high inventories, price competition, and increasing trade risks.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Vinh Tuy commune (Kien Giang Province), many shrimp farmers are adopting bottom aeration systems and reporting clear economic benefits, helping increase income and reduce production risks.
(vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of crabs and other crustaceans reached more than USD 93 million, up 23% compared to the same period last year. The result shows that the sector is experiencing a fairly positive recovery, especially in its two key product groups: crabs and swimming crabs. However, behind the growth figures are several concerns: export markets remain highly concentrated, raw material supply is unstable, and trade barriers from the US and EU are becoming increasingly stringent.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In Ca Mau province, many farmers are transitioning from traditional methods to high-tech shrimp farming, adopting recirculating systems with minimal water exchange to improve efficiency and reduce risks. In Hung My commune alone, there are about 260 super-intensive shrimp farming households covering more than 265 hectares, playing a key role in local economic development.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first three months of 2026, Vietnam’s exports of fish cake and surimi reached USD 63 million, down 5% compared to the same period last year. Although total export value declined slightly due to decreases in some key markets, many other destinations continued to post strong growth, opening up room for this convenience-oriented processed segment in the coming quarters.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Favorable weather conditions in the early months of 2026 have brought encouraging signs for fisheries activities in Quang Tri. Output has grown steadily, contributing to improved livelihoods for local residents.
Entering 2026, Vietnam’s seafood industry is facing a period of both high expectations and mounting pressures. Following the positive recovery in 2025, production and export activities in Q1/2026 demonstrated the strong adaptability of Vietnam’s seafood business community amid continued global trade volatility, intensifying international competition, and increasingly stringent compliance requirements in import markets.
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