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.
Building on over three decades of trusted leadership, VASEP is proactively shaping a Dynamic Knowledge Ecosystem where data is transformed into actionable value and forward-looking insights for the business community
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) An Giang is focusing on expanding climate-adaptive marine aquaculture models, aiming for safe and sustainable production. This approach not only enhances economic efficiency but also helps fishermen stabilize their livelihoods amid weather fluctuations.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the first 10 months of 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius export value to China (including Mainland China and Hong Kong) reached $483 million, up 1% compared to the same period in 2024. October alone posted $73 million, a strong 19% increase year-on-year. The Chinese market currently accounts for nearly 27% of Vietnam’s total pangasius export value.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to data from Vietnam Customs, the country’s lobster exports posted another strong month in October 2025, reaching $93 million - a 75% increase from the same month in 2024. This performance extends the sector’s impressive growth streak from earlier in the year, pushing cumulative exports for the first 10 months to $712 million, up an extraordinary 135% year-over-year. Within the product mix, green lobster remained the dominant driver, accounting for 98% of total export value, with $700 million recorded in the first 10 months - a 141% jump year-on-year. In contrast, exports of spiny lobster and other lobster varieties declined slightly by 22% and 1%, respectively, indicating that market demand is becoming increasingly concentrated on the most sought-after product line.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Currently, Da Nang City has no fishing vessels detained, sanctioned by foreign authorities, or criminally prosecuted for IUU fishing violations. Patrols, monitoring of marine fishing activities, and handling of violations have been prioritized by competent forces, significantly reducing nearshore fishing infringements.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) According to statistics from Vietnam Customs, Vietnam’s tuna exports to Israel in the first nine months of 2025 reached just over USD 27 million, down as much as 49% compared to the same period in 2024. This is a steep and prolonged decline for many consecutive months, reflecting changes in import demand as well as shifts in the supply structure of this market.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first 700 tons of Vietnamese tilapia ordered and imported by JBS Group will initially be distributed through supermarket chains, the Horeca network and JBS’s product showrooms in Brazil.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In October 2025, Vietnam’s pangasius exports hit $217 million, representing an 8% increase compared to the same month in 2024. For the first 10 months of the year, total export value has surpassed $1.8 billion, up 9% year-on-year. This growth demonstrates clear positive momentum for the pangasius industry, despite continued declines in certain markets.
In recent days, the Central provinces of Vietnam have been suffering from historic flooding, with prolonged heavy rains, landslides, flash floods, and deep inundation causing extremely serious impacts on tens of thousands of households, as well as many VASEP member exporters located in the region. With the spirit of mutual support and solidarity, and in order to promptly assist residents and member exporters in the affected areas to stabilize their lives and restore production activities, VASEP calls on all seafood exporters, organizations, and individuals to extend supports to the people and member exporters in the flood-hit areas. We urge timely and practical material and spiritual contributions to help member exporters and local communities in the severely affected provinces overcome this difficult period.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) In the final days of October 2025, Vietnam’s domestic raw shrimp market remained generally stable, though slight adjustments were recorded in several sizes across key farming regions.
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