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Beef containing radioactive cesium served to elementary school children in Kanagawa

127 Comments

Beef containing higher than the government standard levels of radioactive cesium has been fed to children in elementary school lunches in Kanagawa Prefecture, it has been revealed.

Yokohama city authorities confirmed Thursday that beef from cows raised on a farm in Fukushima Prefecture was served to elementary school children in 16 schools throughout the city.

According to city authorities, out of a group of 229 cows, 12 were found to contain higher than standard levels of radioactive cesium. Of those 12 animals, beef from one was used in the school lunches.

A spokesman was quoted by TV media as saying the amount of contaminated beef per student amounted to around 30 grams, so there should be no effect on health. Authorities say Yokohama schools have been refraining from using beef in school lunches since July and that the policy is set to continue indefinitely.

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127 Comments
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Does refrain mean but sometimes they do? What a messed up country. I still have not heard a thing about this problem from Ichiro Ozawa. All the politicians should be made to move up there and bring their Tepco friends, and eat the local foods. Now that would be real pork barrel.

14 ( +15 / -1 )

I hate Japan. What kind of society does not care if it poisons its own children?

11 ( +15 / -4 )

"...so there should be no effect on health."

How did I know that was coming? And how did I know this would appear in lunches before no time? There's no telling how much has already been consumed. Parents should be screaming bloody murder to the authorities, and if the latter do nothing, I'm almost in favour of mob justice. Clearly the governments aren't working -- or at least, not working for the people.

"Authorities say Yokohama schools have been refraining from using beef in school lunches since July and that the policy is set to continue indefinitely."

Good! Now, since Japan has a propensity for mislabelling, I hope they ban any and all (even if labelled from another nation) beef, and other things grown in the affected areas (will be hard to avoid eating rice, I know). They need to send a message, and if it hurts the beef manufacturers of the nation as a whole then they'll be more apt to single out those responsible.

This is but one report of many, many like it to come -- mark my words.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Japan should focusing more over their own business rather than pointing finger at others. The nuclear havoc was far from over!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Feeling pretty frustrated here. Hubby and I are out there, eyeballing all foodstuff. Checking . Trying to do the best for our kids. In the meanwhile, the schools and god knows only where else, are slipping in contaminated products anyway. Hubby actually told me only 5 minutes ago, to take the kids out of Japan. As a parent, you try to keep your child or children out of danger as much as feasibly possible. Just feel like we are being thwarted at different angles. How much other 'poses no risk to human' health produce are we eating unawares on a daily basis?

7 ( +6 / -0 )

A lot of emotional energy in here. Still within normal limits. Stop being so childish about how the government is handling this. Stop judging the Japanese government over this.

-28 ( +2 / -28 )

I like the way they say SHOULD cause no effect on health...gives them the out they will need when it does. I will never understand why the govt took so long to try and do anything concerning foods coming from that area on March 12th. I guess it is safe to say that NO plan was ever developed in case there was ever a massive radiation leak (which is always possible around a nuclear plant). I really feel sorry for the families of these children because they will have to always live in fear anytime their child gets ill. The entire govt bureacracy along with the TEPCO officials need to move to the abandoned houses of Fukushima and stay until this situation is 100% contained & over.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Hey NipponNation. Why don't you get yourself out and interview a few Japanese mums? Think you'll find this 'emotional and childish reaction isn't just limited to folk on this forum.

11 ( +10 / -0 )

"...so there should be no effect on health."

Notice the wording. They choose their words carefully. I foresaw this and left Japan as soon as I could after 3-11. I knew this sort of thing would happen and did not want to end up in a situation where I could not know what was safe to eat and feed my family.

If it were my children in school and they were fed food containing radioactive particles from Fukushima I can guarantee you I would be taking firm physical action against the perpetrators. I am shocked that an organized and focused mob has not already formed.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Samantha.

Pls, take them out. But make sure that you take them to a country that has NO food recalls, e-coli outbreaks, and so on. (don't know of a single one) Also make sure that you take them to a country where they wont be bullied, shot at, etc, etc.

Choice getting tougher by now? Now lets talk about their futures, education and your and hubbies income/retirement prospects for the next few decades, etc.

What I am saying there are NO guarantees for a happy future either in Japan nor overseas. And the "guaranteed/better" future you might see overseas might be a lemon, plus how will your kids feel being torn from friends, etc.

All I am saying is think careful about what is the right choice.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

We are fed up with al the bullshit the government here is giving us, heading back home very soon.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

We took our children off school meals before we came back in mid-May. We consume nothing from Japan, except, well, the air. Thank the US of A for following capitalist imperialism, COSTCO. The contaminations is everywhere. In everything. What a sad state of affairs when the State can't protect its children, OUR children.

8 ( +10 / -2 )

@It"S MEAug

Samantha should definitely consider all of the possibilities but when weighing whether to leave Japan based on the points you mentioned once must of course consider the below:

3 out of control melt through reactors (at least - as there are now unofficial reports that reactors 5 and 6 may actually be in bad shape as well). a lying government who is willing to feed its people contaminated food. a small island country that is very likely entirely blanketed with radiation on the land and encompassed by it in the ocean.

What other choice is there? I had to leave my life of over 15 years in Japan to protect my family from this idiotic disaster.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

@YongYang

Kudos to you for doing all you can to protect your family from the contamination. Smart choice buying international food from Costco.

Are you not drinking (or cooking with) any tap water? What about fresh produce? Are you taking any precautions against the air/rain (especially for your kids)?
2 ( +3 / -1 )

so there should be no effect on health

Each time there is radiation found they say this but eventually all the little bits n pieces they keep finding although on there own and in isolated caes will have very little harm/damage collectively they add up to doing real harm.

When is the J govt going to wake up? NEVER is the answer they dont give a fluffy rats R'ssss, they only care that they are in power and scheming and scamming ot get fatter and richer.

In any other real country heads would be rolling and people would be in deep sh!t for what they have done, thing is here though anyone in a position of power is complicit and wont do a damn thing.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Maybe Costco should consider opening mini stores all over the country.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

ssway,

We all know your stance about the issue you only told it to us ad naseum and how much better you are for your actions.

I still don't recall mutated zombie masses after hiroshima, chernobyl(they found NO mutations in the wildlife and thus reopened the area). Sorry, but it is scare-mongers like you that drive people away and are the pets of the media.

I lived through chernobyl in europe(where you even there?), etc.

Not all is the doom and gloom picture that you love to paint. Lets see you share your experiences prior to 3/11.

Many europeans here who recall chernobyl and how it affected us, most are still in japan.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

@JapanGal

refraining from using

yes :) like your phone on the train :)

@ssway

tap water

never drank that recycled disgusting stuff even before 3/11

fresh produce

there is no such thing in 2011, so may as well just COSTCO your entire diet

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Gees! Settle down a bit people! These kid's are served far worse foods at school lunch. 30grams of mildly ceasium contaminated beef is nothing compared to the toxins they get from fish and Chinese rice every other day.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

This is one of those head scratching moments in time when you know this was going to happen.

This situation was eminent, the government knew this would happen.

It's a know brainer. Almost all the school food is bought by the lowest bidder.

The lowest bidder is FUKUSHMA because nobody in their right mind would buy this meat.

I know all this meat will be processed for cat and dog food.

But to stoop so low. SO SAD !!!!

I'm sorry for the kids in kanagawa.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Outrageous.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Got to ask how old is that news?

Considering that all schools in japan are supposed to be on summer holiday(no school lunches) till around next week and have been so for some time(mid july??). Plus, most schools haven't served beef from way before that time.

So what is the hype?

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

looking at the big picture cesium has been in school luches since after March 13th with the hydrogen explosions spewing radiation in the ocean and inland, ground zero Daiichi continuously emitting radiation. The weather patterns spread the stuff. Slightly tainted Beef, Seafood, Rice, Vegetables and Fruits Makes A Contaminated Meal. Know matter how you look at it this type of news will be reported and read for years to come.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

chronic kodomo-genocide

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Nippon Nation, a lack of emotional response about harming children's health with contaminated food is exactly what is wrong with Japan. Being emotionally involved with your children's health and survival is not childish, its human. Humanity is something Japan really needs to learn, and fast.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

What I cannot even come to grips with is what will the future of Japan be like 5-10-20 years and beyond? Will the over shadow the entire nation forever? Is this it for Japan? It seems as though the government is doing all it can to destroy the nation by feeding their own people contaminated food and attempting to have all prefectures accept radioactive waste from Fukushima.

If I were running the show I would have placed a strict quarantine on everything in the Fukushima area, economy be damned. Sometimes you must cut off the hand to save the body.

I find myself shaking my head in disbelief on a daily basis. I just do not understand. It makes no sense whatsoever and what are the people doing?

When a person does a poor job they get fired and removed from the position. The "elected" government as a whole could not have done a worse job since 3.11. Why are the people not forcibly removing them from their jobs and placing them in prison? I suppose they are all waiting for the illnesses to show up....ugh.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I read how JGovt thinks Fukushima is a top priority and yet they allocate 100 Billion US for Big Business Loans. The Yen seems to be more important than the people.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

ssway good luck with your new life, I only wish it were possible for my daughter and grandchildren to leave Japan right now.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

Hang on in there, Christina. They are lucky to have a caring family member outside of Japan who will help them if needs be.

Utrack of course the almighty yen is more important than people. Its all business and stability of markets and energy supply that they are concerned with, not children and families who are going to suffer.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Bottom line - Japanese parents should have been packing lunch-boxes for their kids LONG AGO. Putting their trust in the safety standards of the Japanese government shows a disregard for their children's safety. This joint sadly doesnt have safety standards.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

The headline say it all, there is no argument These stupid schools fed toxic food to children on a grand scale. People will post about the legal limits?...any ingestion of these toxic materials will not result In a positive outcome. 6 months of inaction...Japanese History is much clearer now Flee really flee get out as soon as you can. The government will tax you to death if you are not dead. I have lived in Japan for 10 years but have fled, criminal government and toxic foods... Is there anything I missed

5 ( +5 / -0 )

All of us in Japan or on the west coast of the US should be worried. However, there are various natural herbs such as thyme and cilantro which are reputed to act as cleansers against radiation.I take both but cannot state levels of effectiveness

In my case I 1.Filter all my drinking water2.Inspect and periodically check for radioactive sources in the house with a geiger counter. 3.Have 2 air filters on 24/7.

I also check food as to source of origin.

Anything produced north of Nagoya is a no buy.

I noticed some juicy peaches at a supermarket today, at a great price as they were from Fukushima I decided to not to buy-what else is there to do?

4 ( +5 / -1 )

@ It's Me ( wish I knew who you are!!) and ssway! Appreciate your valued input and see your points. You cannot predict the curveballs that Mrs Life, in her infinite wisdom, decides to throw at us all. March the 11th, 2.46 is a prime example. I could trip up in a room tomorrow, fall down on a Barbie doll , suffer fatal brain damage from a plastic limb, encased in a perfect plastic replica of the latest Jimmy Choo heel thrusting up into the thing I loosely refer to as my brain.

Nobody knows. The thing is, hubby and I, more so hubby, feel that the situation with the foodchain here is a tangible danger. I have already told the school that we will be 'doing' bentoes from next term. Little one too will be on bentoe duty. I don't buy any produce 'made in Japan'. Courtesy of Costco, FLying Pig and FBC. I think as I am not Japanese, it's easy for me to cook meals not based around rice...if a problem with rice arises at a later date.

I just want to know to what extent the radiation has compromised or is compromising the foodchain and/or watertable. It isn't forthcoming. Maybe the powers that be honestly don't really know themselves. Maybe they do. But, I cannot make any kind of contingency plans if I don't know exactly what we're dealing with. One day the beef is okay, months later.'Oh sorry it wasn't okay'.

Probably if I didn't have children, it wouldn't be such a huge issue. But we do have three beautiful kids and I don't like the way that choices that ultimately should be made by parents, are being made on a grand scale by bureaucrats.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

@kurisupisu

All of us in Japan or on the west coast of the US should be worried.

I agree. I have left Japan and am still very worried. I stay out of the rain and avoid dairy and also foods from the west coast. But there is only so much one can do.

However, there are various natural herbs such as thyme and cilantro which are reputed to act as cleansers against radiation.

Yes, where were said herbs grown? Are they contaminated from the rain? If so, their effect will be diminished or worse than not having eaten them.

I also check food as to source of origin. Anything produced north of Nagoya is a no buy.

Be cautious with the labeling as it has been known to be faked so ensure a sale.

I noticed some juicy peaches at a supermarket today, at a great price as they were from Fukushima I decided to not to buy-what else is there to do?

They were selling Fukushima peaches in the grocery store? UnF-ing-believable.

Japan, WTF are you doing??? JAPAN!!! Wake up.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Seeing as it is now summer vacation for kids in ES, when the heck did this happen? Maybe I missed something.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I also check food as to source of origin. Anything produced north of Nagoya is a no buy.

So, do you think that produce from Hokkaido is also contaminated?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

A spokesman was quoted by TV media as saying the amount of contaminated beef per student amounted to around 30 grams

I don't think this can be correct can it? That would be 96.45 terabecquerals of radiation per kid!

But, you know, how nice to always get this sort of info in becquerels or microbecquerels, and now, suddenly we get it in grams! Really. Thanks a million whoever wrote this!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

So, does this mean the results of the food this woman had to steal, because everyone and their uncle tried to shut her down, have finally come in?

http://www.japantoday.com/category/commentary/view/come-clean-for-the-kids

I can't wait to hear what Smorkian has to say.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Farmboy

propose a study to see if pigs glow in the dark, too.

No mate they dont glow in the dark, in Japan they fly, ask any bureaucrat.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Ah, my bad. 30 grams was the amount of contaminated beef. But hey I read that wrong because this sentence makes no logical sense:

the amount of contaminated beef per student amounted to around 30 grams, so there should be no effect on health.

Obviously the effect on health is not related to the amount of beef eaten, but the amount of caesium 137 ingested. sigh

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@ Oracle. Just before summer holidays began, I was at a Japanese mum's house. She's a really close friend. A friend of hers was on the phone to a school, asking about the food situation. The school confirmed that all schools in Suginami were using produce from Fukushima. The friend of a friend was very irate and asking the school why they were taking such a risk. The school's stance? 'Well....the government hasn't told us that it's dangerous so we will continue to use it in the school dinners'. I was there. That's when my kids stopped dinners. School ain't happy. Some parents bitching at me but I am not alone.

I was so shocked. I was naive enough to think that common sense and logic would be applied, that the health and wellbeing of Japan's future generations means something. Apparently not. I really was shocked.

So where the Japanese mummy friends. And the fathers.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Someone needs to hang over this, this is disgusting... I love Japan but damn it you're really pushing it with this crap you're pulling.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I'm Italian and I live in Italy. I agree about the fact that Japanese government should act more carefully to prevent things like this to happen, but I believe also that some people are overreacting. I was a kid when Chernobyl happened, and I remember it very well. We couldn't eat vegetable and milk. I was just 5 or 6 years old, and I couldn't understand why my mother seemed so worried. I really don't know if I ate something contaminated or not...nobody can know if our government was really successful to stop the contaminated food.

I think that I got my dose of nuclear contamination for sure.

Most of Europe was contaminated and it's still contaminated, even if in very minor way, of course.

BUT everyone continued to live in Europe, you simply couldn't help it. Even if the contamination wasn't great like in Belarus, people got its part of radiations almost everywhere.

You can escape where you want, but the truth is that you can't know how or where the next tragedy will happen. And you can't totally trust the goverments all around the world, not only in Japan. Lately in Europe we got the e-coli contamination and they NEVER understood which food was the "guilty". Before they told us "don't eat spanish cocumbers!" then they told us "no, you can eat them...don't eat german meat!!!" =__= The fact is that we didn't know what we could eat and what we couldn't. Many people in Germany are dead.

If you are a foreigner and you think you can be safer in your mother country than in Japan, you are making the right choice to leave simply because it's always better to follow our heart. But if you think you can be safe from food contamination everywhere except for Japan, you are wrong, imho. I mean, your choice is emotional, not very logical.

Sorry for my bad english.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

It is really a shame that they used contaminated beef in school lunches. They should treat these cases as "criminal physical assault from negligence" instead of "shoganai". But since they were official people, regularly singing the "kimi ga yo" and all that, by no means they could have been sceptical about the official government policy, could they?

The question is less the health risk from one serving - which is probably quite low in terms of statistics (which does not remove the fear) - but the question to how many yet unknown cases of contaminated beef in school lunches one reported case corresponds to. There is a general rule used by all professionals dealing with ionizing radiation to keep the dose as low as possible. Somehow, it seems that this rule of common sense does not apply to Japan.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

There were allegation several months ago on the internet, including by a city councilman, that Yokohama was serving school children contaminated food. Of course the government called these "harmful rumours." What's harmful is the government hiding and denying each time until after a contaminated product is consumed. It's not a rumour if it's true.

Speaking of food, the government reports that early harvest Fukushima rice from one location tested negative for caesium. And Fukushima beef has been cleared to go back on the market.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

This news should boost sales of imported beef.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

You can escape where you want, but the truth is that you can't know how or where the next tragedy will happen.

True, but we know a tragedy is happening here right now: in the form of an industrial accident. It's silly to rationalize staying-put, becoming a target for contamination, saying 'it could happen in the next place as well.'

That doesn't sound like sound logic to be making a decision on.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

We are fed up with al the bullshit the government here is giving us, heading back home very soon

LivinginJapan -- made that decision months ago. Combining the J-government's incompetence, along with its propensity to be less than transparent with the citizens, with three nuclear melt-downs, was a recipe for disaster from Day 1. And, unfortunately, the continued revelations like this just bear that out.

Stop being so childish about how the government is handling this. Stop judging the Japanese government over this

And, Nippon Nation, this comment may be one of the least informed I've read on this forum in some time. Has the fact that Kan's rating is below 20% and he is being forced from office because of the manner in which he managed this crisis escaped you? The Japanese are judging their own government, not just the foreigners. And, in both cases, they are deciding the government is doing a lousy job.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

because of the manner in which he (Kan) managed this crisis escaped you?

Kan was gone before the crisis. The recovery effort was a stay of execution.

Ok OK I know - back on topic...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@horrified: what I told is that also in Italy we got our food contamination but nobody is escaped. Of course, if you live near to Fukushima is different, but if you leave in an other place in Japan, to leave is not very logical.

@mods: please, could you delete the link to the map that I put in my previous post? I just read that the maps of that site cannot be linked for copyright.

Sorry for my mistake, thanks.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

if you leave* in an other place in Japan, to leave is not very logical.

*live, I meant.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Bravo, Alex. We also shouldn't forget that not long after 3/11 the winds were blowing eastwards onto the Korean peninsula bringing rain. Kids didn't go to school. They measured the radioactivity in 21 towns but there was no problem. So, ssway, are you saying that the Korean government also lied to its people? As for the radioactive particles in the US, I bet they come from American reactors and Japan is being used as a scapegoat.

Me, just like Alex, used to live in Europe too at the time of Chernobyl. I still have my 2 legs. I also ate beef and lamb in the UK in the 80's. I must be getting Kreutzfeld Jakob from that though since I am having problems with my memory lately....could also be age though. If we start getting paranoid about everything, we had better move to Mars or Vanuat but that might be sinking..

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I'm tired of listening to people blame TEPCO and the Govt. for this mess. They didn't cause this by themselves. The citizens of Japan have caused this. Everyone from the useless bureaucrat to the obasan down the street. God forbid anyone in this country questions those in power or has the audacity to demand answers when they avoid the question and dance around the issue.

The blame lies with the "free press" in this country, afraid to be excluded from any and all news conferences if they ask embarrassing questions or bring up any sensitive points.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. It's only a matter of time before we hear of contaminated meat and food products sprouting up all over the country.

Nippon nation, you are the perfect example of everything that is wrong with the Japanese attitude and thinking when it comes to serious matters.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Alex80Aug. 25, 2011 - 10:15PM JST

but if you leave in an other place in Japan, to leave is not very logical.

If we could be assured that Caesium 134 and 137, Iodine 131, Strontium 90, Neptunium 239, Cobalt 60 etc would just stay in Fukushima, what you said would be true.

But if you look at the headline, you know its obviously not. The government and the country are simply not equipped to test all the food for radioactive isotopes. Things are getting through that very loose dragnet of theirs. Most of what gets consumed will not be detected at all. Yet, knowing this, the government has decided to remove the single best guarantee they had, and that was banning the food coming out of certain areas.

No surprise though, given actions of the past and head-in-the-sand behavior on the part of Japanese from the federal government on down to the PTA. Leaving Japan is quite logical, always was and gets more logical with every piece of information released, and I would leave if I had any reason to believe I would not be totally financially crippled to the point me and my family would be worse off if I did.

But if my kid develops some form of cancer in his youth, I don't know how I will forgive myself for staying here.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Anyway, I'm not saying that the problem is not great or something like this. Simply, I think that the idea of a mass emigration in case of food contamination is not very logical, but reading some comments here, I get the impression that some people believe that this is a praticable solution.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I wonder if anyone actually read the news? There is nothing about government in it. The local Yokohama city investigated and found out some of this meat was served in lunches (not saying when). Kids are in holiday for a month now and we now about the cesium in the meat from before that. I understand we all are more sensitive now but one of the things governments are not telling everything to the masses is exactly this - people panic and jump sometimes with closed eyes.

Nobody wants to kill your kids I'm sure. And it is good sign that Yokohama city went to the extend of finding the facts.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

JP's government should eat some radioactive meat.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Why still serve beef? Since Yokohama schools refrain using beef from July. What irresponsible government was that, endanger their own peoples... ;(

2 ( +2 / -0 )

We all know nothing ever happens here without a series of meetings. So we can only assume that at some level, someone with grey hair proposed giving radioactive meat to the children of Japan and nobody had the bottle to speak up against it. A decision was agreed upon to poison the children of Japan, and nobody will be held accountable, ever. There will be no demands for explanations, or heads on pikestaffs - one more instance of "Shoganai" meaning not what it means, but rather "Some corrupt dolt made a stupid and despicable decision, so stop thinking and do as you are told". Your children are being poisoned by the people to whom you entrust their safety.

But never mind, because look! There's someone pulling funny faces and clapping on TV - everything must be all right.

This feudal khazi deserves its imminent extinction.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Stop judging the Japanese government over this.

@Nippon Nation, stop defending Japan. If a country cannot do anything to protect its people, then who will? I do not blame parents moving kids out from a danger. If the humanity is not that important, what else is importan to yout, Nippon Nation?

3 ( +3 / -0 )

This is a total disgrace! It should be deemed intentional poisoning and the people involved should be prosecuted immediately.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I think here, Japan-bashing it's like a kind of sport. Japan's system has some serious problems, nobody can deny it. But some people seem to think that in the rest of the world things work very better, well, I don't agree.

You could look at my country - Italy. It's a mess, and I think everyone should know it. Also Usa is a mess, imho.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

bogvaAug. 25, 2011 - 11:01PM JST

There is nothing about government in it. The local Yokohama city investigated

Yeah. Government.

Kids are in holiday for a month now and we now about the cesium in the meat from before that.

Yeah. Government giving us late information again. We knew about the beef, but not that these school kids were served it.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

We should keep in mind as well that they are only checking for caesium at this point. There are much worse substances for which they have chosen not to check.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

If we could be assured that Caesium 134 and 137, Iodine 131, Strontium 90, Neptunium 239, Cobalt 60 etc would just stay in Fukushima, what you said would be true.

But if you look at the headline, you know its obviously not. The government and the country are simply not equipped to test all the food for radioactive isotopes.

I know that food contamination is all around the country. But also in this case to leave is not very rational (except if you live in the area near Fukushima). If was a e-coli contamination all around the country, would you speak like this? In Italy, at Naples we have a very BIG problem with garbage disposal which our governemtn can't resolve. There is a problem of mercury, arsenic, and dioxin pollution. Naples is not in Japan, of course. If you know a place in the world where the government really can protect his citizens' health, I'd like know it.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Great posts Alex. I've mentioned chernobyl (and windscale) affect on the uk in the past and ended up with negative ratings. Well done for managing to explain this situation more clearly than I have managed in the past.

Oh and none of that excuses the fact that although in very small doses radioactive meat has made it into the Market and on the plates of those who are most susceptible.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Doesn't anyone realize that the health standards for radiation exposure for food are established based on the risk of consuming a said level of radiation Everyday for Years (normally a lifetime)? The levels of exposure are only consodered dangerous if that continued daily exposure over your entire lifetime amounts to an overall increased cancer risk of greater than 1 in 10,000.

If you have allowed your child to be outside without sunblock and they have gotten a sunburn you have increased their lifetime risk of getting cancer more than the ingestion of a single low dose meal that they may have consumed.

Having said that, can you ever be sure that any government is always telling you the truth? Obviously no. But if you think you can live a life void of radiation exposure, then you should educate yourself. Everything is radioactive to one degree or another. Try googling the Banana Scale for relative radiation exposure.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

12 were found to contain higher than standard levels of radioactive cesium.

Of course, the "standard" levels of radioactive cesium in Japan is half of that of EU, WHO, CODEX, and IAEA.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Oh and none of that excuses the fact that although in very small doses radioactive meat has made it into the Market and on the plates of those who are most susceptible.

I agree with you, in fact I hope people don't misunderstand me. I think these are very SERIOUS negligences, and japanese people must show their strong disapproval and ask better checks. But I like impartial analyses and I think some comments here, are not very impartial, since they seem to say that Japan is hell, while around the world governments "love" and protect their own people very better.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Alex 80 is talking real sense here keep it up.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

The only question I have is not directed at the schools, it's directed at the people who tested this beef, found the cesium above allowable limits, and STILL allowed the beef to be sold to a school system. Can you guess what my question is? O_o

2 ( +2 / -0 )

so there should be no effect on health.

This is a new LOGO of Japanese food products. Sad to say.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

This is a new LOGO of Japanese food products. Sad to say.

I've just read a new logo has been released for the Japan Beef Industry:

100% Japanese Beef. Delicious and safe. You cant prove a thing. (c)

3 ( +4 / -1 )

And now Fukushima beef ban is lifted after what - a month maybe?...Who the f....are the gutless corrupt &^%$..making these decisions..?...

Welcome to the DPJ/LDP (the same thing as we all know). This corrupt entity will have another half-dead muppet in a suit next Monday to replace the half-dead muppet in a suit Kan. Roll on, Japan...

3 ( +3 / -0 )

@marcelito

@Ivan and BlueWitch - you are spot on guys as usual.

Thank you, honey...I'm about to deliver my 4th kid(39+ weeks!) so I'm more hyper than ever...LOL Can't stand this kind of BS "shouganai" from certain "characters" here. Don't blame the corrupt government? Seriously?? しょうがないんじゃねーよ!

Nippon nation - since you don,t see any risk in this why don,t you volunteer as a food tester at your local BOE kyuushoku centre?

This is inexcusable ...

I would be delighted to see Nippon Nation(a.k.a. McAlpine) testing the food and letting us know about it. Go Nippon Nation Go!!! (笑)

3 ( +4 / -1 )

But also in this case to leave is not very rational

Alex -- that is a questionable statement for someone who does not lived, nor has never lived in Japan to make. People are not leaving just because of fear of food contamination per se. They have left, or are leaving, because they know that the Japanese government and Japan Inc. are not to be trusted, and the next five or ten years of paying to clean up this disaster, and the financial and psychological toll that will take on them, is simply not worth the price. Because, Japan will not learn or change based on all this. And, as a result, not emerge stronger when all is said and done. Instead, in ten years it will still be a shrinking ecomomy with an aging population and too much debt and ridicilously high taxes and prices. But they'll have some pretty new villages built on hillsides in Tohoku, at about ten times what they should cost. And Japan will consider that "recovery".

1 ( +4 / -3 )

And now Fukushima beef ban is lifted after what - a month maybe?...Who the f....are the gutless corrupt &^%$..making these decisions..?...

Perhaps reading "other" sources might calm your irrational fears. But then again, I found that to be an almost impossible task for most of the residents here in JT.

解除後は、各県の管理計画に基づき、計画的避難区域と緊急時避難準備区域、汚染稲わらを与えるなどした農家の牛は全頭検査を実施し、基準値を下回れば出荷が可能になる。それ以外は少なくとも1頭を検査する全戸検査を行い、基準値を下回れば、その農家の牛が出荷可能になる。

It states that according to the administrative plan, those farmers that fed straws from the evacuated areas (which was the cause of the contamination) will have to test every head.

http://sankei.jp.msn.com/region/news/110825/fks11082511400000-n1.htm

Now. Back to the regular programming.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

On the contrary, I think choosing to leave is very rational, of course if the option is available. Given the radiation circumstances, there has to be some form of trust, whither it be to the apparatus that you are using to test, or that someone has performed their due diligence and that they will be held accountable in the event of blaint negligence. As its not feasible to worry about every single piece of food you eat and perform the due diligence yourself without assistance of others. Plus it is your children who are most at risk, and given their costs, I highly doubt there are many that would take that risk.

But simply put, the J-gov has not shown in ANYWAY that they have a firm grasp of the situtation, nor would they hold anyone accountable or attempt to correct anything that is systematically broken (see sumo scandal), even if they were given the opportunity. They answer to no one other than themselves and potential corporate money. The fact that politicians can CONSIDER returning dubious funds pretty much sums it up.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

@herefornow: everyone has the right to choose where he wants to live. I just told that a food contamination doesn't seem a very rational reason to leave a country, to me, at least if in that country you have all your life (job, friends, house, etc.). For a reason or an other, a food contamination can happen and does happen everywhere all over the time. If there are other reasons to leave, it's an other matter.

the Japanese government and Japan Inc. are not to be trusted

Sure, but which goverment can be trusted? I don't know if you know Mr. Berlusconi...well, he is the leader of my country. Do some researchs about him, and tell me if he can be trusted or not, in your opinion. Can Us government be trusted? Bush started a war in Iraq lying to all the world, talking about inexistent weapons of mass destruction. All the west governments and lobbies have created the worst financial crises since the 1929, and poor citiziens are paying the consequences.

In Italy our Value Added Tax is at 20%. Now they are discussing to bring it at 21% or 21,5%. Just an example of our pitiful economic condition.

It's ok bashing Japan government, but to not see the huge problems in the rest of the world reflects a blind vision of the reality, imho.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Also, you should see our ridicilously high prices (worst than in Japan, all the Italians in Japan say) and our ridicilously low salaries.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

In addition , if I,m not mistaken...the lifting of the Fukushima ban was just delayed a few days ago because they found another dozen or so cattle contaminated , only they weren,t fed straw from a contaminated area according to the farmer ..so where does that leave us..?

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/news/20110824-OYT1T01218.htm

http://mainichi.jp/select/weathernews/news/20110825dde001040032000c.html

Caused by an imported feed which was exposed outside within the evacuation zone.

All these unncessary mesaures just because of some meat had Cesium levels over Japanese standards while most of them were in fact within EU/CODEX/WHO levels including the meat found in this article.

Now back to regular programming.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

they could have image what happened with those cows after 5 month. they just left the cows after over there and get the meet of them. its just very sad because its about the kids food. they get the infected meet not knowing anything about the radiation. the biggest problem is that japanese government mislead the people there. the people just believe the government.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Very sad news, innocent children unable to protect themselves from their own government, school, parents - everybody they still trust ?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Russian roulette, but with a cow. Not everyone that ate the contaminated beef will get cesium in their system. Its too bad they don't know what isotope of cesium it is?

"The radioactive 135Cs has a very long half-life of about 2.3 million years, while 137Cs and 134Cs have half-lives of 30 and 2 years, respectively. 137Cs decomposes to a short-lived 137mBa by beta decay, and then to non-radioactive barium, while 134Cs transforms into 134Ba directly. The isotopes with mass numbers of 129, 131, 132 and 136, have half-times between a day and two weeks, while most of the other isotopes have half-lives from a few seconds to fractions of a second. "

Only way to correct this horrible mistake is to get a team of technicians that can test the kids for radiation and provide treatment to any that need it.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The comments of some here are a clear indication of what is wrong with the world. Take everything the government tells you at face value, never question anything and tell others not to worry about it. Baaaaaaaa!!!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Alex80Aug. 25, 2011 - 11:42PM JST

If you know a place in the world where the government really can protect his citizens' health, I'd like know it.

All anyone can say for sure is the government of Japan has failed in that category and proves itself consistently more interested in financial health and averting panic than with its citizens' bodily health. I cannot tell you where is perfect, I can only tell you where definitely isn't. Better to play the lottery of success than reside in the land of failure.

The thing you overlook is that the e.coli, arsenic, mercury etc. problems can maybe also happen here IN ADDITION to the radioactive isotope problem which is not a maybe . And another thing you don't seem to appreciate is that while you may have gotten incorrect information in Europe, did you ever feel like you were being smokescreened so that farmers could sell their products?

Sure, anything can happen. But I would much prefer to have a government focused on timely accurate information and err on the side of caution than have a government drag its feet and err on the side of economy.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Farmboy, I can tell you that link is grossly inaccurate. For starters the EU has a maximum safe limit of 600 becquerels per kilogram for cesium which is substantially higher than that of Japan. And when the tap water in Tokyo was deemed unsafe for Japanese infants it was at a level that would have been acceptable in Europe.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Google 'maximum safe limit of 600 becquerels per kilogram' and you will find any number of links that show the EU's level to be 600. In some cases it's been claimed it's been increased by 200x that but I would suggest that they are unsubstantiated.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

And you're right, that link doesn't include the EU but there's an obvious reason for that. You can't sensationalise Japan for having the 'shocking standards' when the EU's are 20% higher.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

The school's stance? 'Well....the government hasn't told us that it's dangerous so we will continue to use it in the school dinners'.

@Samantha, what you have said here is very critical.

This is a very good observation of Japanese people.. They always have to be told what to do as they do not want to be seen as a trouble maker in society. They cherish harmonious society. A long nail has to be hammered! They (obasan to politicians) just do everything to avoid a conflict and refuse to challenge authorities if it is right or just. Some time, they go with a flow without concience. Very sad.

I have read your posts here, and my heart goes out to you. If you are trying to do what is a best interest for your children, you are solving a half of your problem, dear. It will be all worked out.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Okay, so it's not grossly inaccurate. But it's certainly grossly misleading.

The whole point of that link that you >can't vouch for its accuracy, is to suggest that what the Japanese deem to be safe is totally different to what the rest of the world do hence the reason it's in red. But they don't mention the European figures because that would destroy their argument.

Yes, the youtube link is from a newscast, but so what? It doesn't change the fact that the EU levels are higher than the Japanese. And always have been. As I mentioned earlier when their was a government advisory on drinking tap water for infants that was well within acceptable EU limits. And those limits were set on someone consuming irradiated water for 40 days. Not one.

I didn't link the EU figures to these cows. But then neither did you when you posted the link which I presume you did to suggest that the Japanese figures were way out there. Which they aren't.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@ Globalwatcher. Much appreciated!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

According to a press release issued by the Yokohama BOE (www.city.yokohama.lg.jp/kyoiku/kyu-sokutei/inawara.html) (in Japanese), tainted beef from numerous heads of cattle, and not only from Fukushima but also from Miyagi and Iwate prefectures, was served on some 27 different occasions and to many schools each time.

Japan's boards of education go out of their way to work with the county's agricultural concerns to 'teach' Japanese food propaganda. Brainwashing students about the safety of Japanese food relative to the danger of that coming from overseas sources is a key part of their 'shokuiku' curriculum. They even serve whale from time to time on school lunch menus, telling students it is an important part of Japanese culture.

Serving food from radiation-afflicted areas of Japan is clearly part of their ongoing strategy to support Japanese agriculture--at the expense of Japan's youth. Shameful.

At least Yokohama's BOE admitted it. There are doubtlessly many others who have yet to come clean.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The thing you overlook is that the e.coli, arsenic, mercury etc. problems can maybe also happen here IN ADDITION to the radioactive isotope problem which is not a maybe .

You are forgetting that also Italy has got a nuclear contamination, after Chernobyl. As I told, I'll never know how it has influenced my health. You say that the e.coli, arsenic, mercury etc. problems can maybe also happen in Japan, and it's true, but you forget that a new nuclear incident can happen again also in Europe.

And another thing you don't seem to appreciate is that while you may have gotten incorrect information in Europe, did you ever feel like you were being smokescreened so that farmers could sell their products?

Also in Italy we have had our food-scandals, and this always happens for economic reasons. You have a very idealistic pic of Europe in your mind.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Heda, I posted the link because someone had mentioned comparative allowable levels in the world, and I was curious, so I googled it. The chart I posted came up. I take your point that the person who made the chart wanted to show that among nations, Japan's levels are comparatively high, and they ARE, but yes, EU acceptable levels are evidently the highest, especially after having been raised. Is that good? Are you defending those levels?

Farmboy

I was the one who raised the issue of "standard" levels issued by Japan after the nuclear disaster and made the comparison to that of the global "standard" set in case of a similar disater.

U.S.-1200 bq/kg

Canada-1000 bq/kg

EU-1250 bq/kg

CODEX (WHO/FAO)-1000 bq/kg

http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/ComplianceManuals/CompliancePolicyGuidanceManual/ucm074576

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/contaminants/emergency-urgence/index-eng.php

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2007:0302:FIN:EN:PDF

0 ( +1 / -1 )

When I think about Chernobyl and the millions who were eventually effective, I wonder how much international condemnation came upon the Russian government for their handling of their crisis???

The point I'm making here is that no one was prepared for this disaster. What the international community is demanding is impossible, and something no government in the world is prepared for themselves.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

nigelboy -- Not that you've given any indication to be open-minded, I feel compelled to let others know the link you provided for the Canadian guidelines on radiation contamination shows milk at 300bq/kg and public drinking water at 100bq/kg for Cesium. Strontium 90 is limited to 100bq/kg for food.

Going through this guideline you can see there are various figures in tables allotted according to types of food and considerations for age as well. Not so cut and dried as one would be quick to believe.

The Canadian government guide also states the following:

The likelihood of experiencing these effects, rather than their severity, is assumed to be proportional to dose, and it is generally assumed that there is no level of radiation, however small, that is completely free of the risk of stochastic [cell modification] effects.

This is known as 'risk theory' and is only one (controversial) theory regarding the effects of long-term exposure. Yet even still, the Canadian government considers any dose to be a risk.

Another interesting statement in the guideline:

The principal health risks associated with the ingestion of contaminated food and water are an increased probability of radiation-induced cancer in exposed persons and potential genetic disorders in their offspring.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Not that you've given any indication to be open-minded, I feel compelled to let others know the link you provided for the Canadian guidelines on radiation contamination shows milk at 300bq/kg and public drinking water at 100bq/kg for Cesium. Strontium 90 is limited to 100bq/kg for food

Yeah. But what we're discussing here in this particlar article is Cesium on foodstuff. If you want to get to the details, the Japanese standard for milk is 200bg/kg.

Going through this guideline you can see there are various figures in tables allotted according to types of food and considerations for age as well. Not so cut and dried as one would be quick to believe.

You're preaching to a person who gave you the links. Of course I'm aware that "various figures in tables allotted according to types of food". What we're discussing here is "meat" which the numbers I quoted above are correct.

This is known as 'risk theory' and is only one (controversial) theory regarding the effects of long-term exposure. Yet even still, the Canadian government considers any dose to be a risk

Of course there is a "risk". There is a "risk" of inducing negative health effects by constantly being "worried" or "horrified" of this issue long term.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Anyway -- nitpicking posts aside -- I agree with the Canadian government that no dose is safe. I don't care how many people want to argue that for their own agenda (or a corporately sponsored one.) No dose is safe. It's as simple as that.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Yet even still, the Canadian government considers any dose to be a risk.

Sure. Look at here. http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/World/Story/STIStory_646050.html "there is no significant risks to public health"..."should have no impact on the quality of the drinking water"...

Canada like Japan? Answer: yeah. Bu some people likes to believe that Japan is the only desperate case.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Bu*

*But

Anyway, guys: accept th fact that the nuclear industries and the governments are the same everywhere, and at least you'll seem impartial and your arguments sincere.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

If you live in a country where there are nukes, do you really believe that your government will be trustable in case of accident? Sorry but you are naive, imho, if you think like that.

Here in Italy we don't trust our government, that is the reason why we voted to abrogate a law that wanted to bring the nuclear plants in Italy again, at the referendum of the last June. People won, the government lost.^__^ BUT I'm sure enough that the next year our government will try again to introduce that nuclear plan. This is, in my opinion, the reason why it's hard to find in our mass media some news about Fukushima's disaster.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Back on topic please. Canada is not relevant to this discussion.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Alex80Aug. 26, 2011 - 05:49PM JST

You are forgetting that also Italy has got a nuclear contamination, after Chernobyl.

I did not forget that at all. Its just irrelevant. Does not matter where it is, its smarter to leave a place having a nuclear disaster or continuing to suffer effects and too live in a place where no food crisis is currently known to exist, or isn't a constant occurance. I never said where that place was. I clear said I can't.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

It is sad that Japanese people, and foreigners living in Japan, will have to worry about what they ingest and the guidelines for how much radiation can be contained in each, for the next 30 years minimum. Not to mention how they can trust the govt, food producer, etc.

With cesium and other nasties to obsess about, it would be much better just to eat poisoned food from China.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

According to a report submitted to the government the radiation is 168 time (so far...)! From Today's JapanToday. Yet just on Thursday Japanese government lifted ban on beef from Fukushima. Unbelievable!

For all those up here that are saying that there is no health risks - please listen to Prof. Kodama from Tokyo Uni. <>http://youtu.be/Dlf4gOvzx*Yc

It is time to say to the Japanese politicians - stop lying and hiding. Stop pretending there is no problem. enough is enough.****

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Many posters referring to the EU safety guidleines seem to be selectively overlooking the fact that these were all drastically raised following Chernobyl. Of course these guidelines mean nothing to the many 1000's of children born with deformities and cancer since.

The locals have a name for the area around Chernbyl they call it the 'Forest of Nightmares', quite how this fits with any notion of it being 'safe', unless you consider deer with 5 legs and no eyes natural.

This sadly will be the Japan of the future. You can believe the Government are doing all they can to protect its people or you can be a realist.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

A little radioactive cesium here (in beef, etc.), a little cesium there (in veggies, etc.) -- certainly, eating 30g of any "one" food is not harmful for health. Yet has any addressed the cumulative effects of all the other food products ingested over a certain time period each and every day, esp. in light of knowing that the permissible radiation levels at which these products are marketed has also been raised?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Samantha Zoe Aso

Quite right. You never know

3 Kids? That is a handful no doubt ;). Good to hear you guys are doing all you can to protect your treasures. I hope that the schools are no vindictive about them bringing their own bentos or attempt to force them to eat the kyushoku.

Do you live in the central Tokyo area?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Yes-we could argue about this amount is safe or that amount isn't, but that is not the point. Radiation is energy which destroys matter and that includes our bodies-that in any dose cannot be safe.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@ NipponNation... In a year, or 5 years, or 10 years when children are dying of incurable cancers and babies are being born with horrible birth defects - Remember you defended the Japanese Government... shame on you. Shame on the government for allowing contaminated food into the bellies of small children.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Oh yes, sparkles. Shame on them. Shame on someone for having an opinion of their own. How horrible that must be.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

NetNinja is back!!! After a long hiatus, it's time to bring back a dose of reality.

The biggest hoodwink in Japan's history. The Joker said it best!! I quote: "You know... You know what I've noticed? Nobody panics when things go "according to plan." Even if the plan is horrifying!"

Everybody wants to get back to normal. Most of all - the insurance companies. The plan is horrifying in theory, Big insurance companies must poisen all the people till they reach that mental point where they say, hey we are all Japanese and we are all radiated. Misery loves company and what better way to make the new norm than to get as many people touched by death as possible.

Feeding these children this beef comes as no surprise. Now the ban on Fukushima beef has been lifted. This has been done in the media as trying to help the farmers of Fukushima but in fact, it's an effort to reduce the claim those farmers will ask for when they take TEPCO and the government to court much later down the line.

I've read a lot of your posts and I can recognize the emotion but we're in Japan. Things are done in the interest of capital gain and profit. Once you start to follow the money and start calculating who would profit from whatever the problem is, then and only then can you understand why your children were fed contaminated beef.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Hey Bruce, do you have children? Or do you even live in JAPAN? This is a serious issue- for the future of millions of people. Japan needs to DEMAND transparency and food safety... and not put their heads in the sand. It is not so much of an opinion as it is a complete moronic statement from someone who believes the government to be doing a "good job" and should not be held accountable. In MY OPINION that is idiocy.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

sparkles71.

NO goverment will give you the truth nor do they work in their citizens interest. Just the way it is.

I read a lot of news and it is surprising how many goverments get caught on a regular basis on fibs, etc.

So the whole japan bashing is just so much fluff and usually done by people that feel powerless to change anything.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@marcelito.

I also live in japan(gaijin) and got a smallish son I support. Yes, it is a concern but not a life altering one nor should it be.

And, yes, we as foreigners can't vote but that we decided/agreed on when we settled here. Was known beforehand. Same for other countries I lived in, once you jump on the tiger you are in for the ride.

Not sure what your beef is here with me. Can't talk more as it would be off-topic.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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