Over 27,000 Inspections in One Year... Safety Compliance
Expanded Safety Inspections for Seafood and Traditional Markets
Enhanced Radiation Testing Equipment for Collaborative Management
Seoul City conducted more than 27,000 food radiation tests over the course of one year following the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant last year, and all results were deemed safe. Seoul, which regularly inspects seafood wholesale markets and traditional markets, also actively incorporates inspections requested by citizens.
On the 2nd, Seoul City announced that from August 24, the date of the Fukushima nuclear power plant contaminated water discharge last year, to August 24 this year, a total of 26,772 food radiation tests were conducted over one year, all of which received a safety standard 'compliant' judgment. Approximately 5,000 additional tests are planned after September.
Since the Fukushima nuclear accident in March 2011, Seoul City has conducted a total of 21,539 tests up to 2023, starting with about 500 tests in 2012, around 1,000 in 2015, and approximately 1,500 in 2022. All test results were compliant (within domestic standard limits).
Recently, Seoul has expanded radiation testing equipment and conducts daily safety inspections mainly at seafood wholesale markets. Autonomous districts also conduct inspections at least three times a week focusing on traditional markets, operating a thorough radiation safety management system through collaboration.
The city also operates a 'Citizen Radiation Test Request System' that allows citizens to directly verify food safety. Requests have increased since the contaminated water discharge last year, with a total of 1,471 citizen submissions completed since 2012, and 208 applications and tests conducted this year alone. Seoul City added that it plans to further expand the 'Citizen Radiation Test Request System' to alleviate citizens' concerns and promote radiation safety inspections through more diverse distribution channels, focusing on seafood that citizens frequently consume.
Kim Tae-hee, Director of the Seoul City Citizen Health Bureau, stated, "Seoul City will prioritize citizens' health and do its best to create a safe food environment," adding, "We will continue to conduct and expand safety inspections and monitoring of foods distributed in Seoul and promptly disclose the results to protect citizens' food safety."
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