Singapore lifts ban on food imports from seven Japanese prefectures

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) lifted a ban on food imports from seven prefectures in Japan on Monday.

Only food from Fukushima, the prefecture hit hardest by the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdown in 2011, remained suspended, the authority said.

The import of milk and milk products, meat and meat products, table hen eggs, seafood, fruits and vegetables from Chiba, Ibaraki, Gunma, Kanagawa, Saitama, Tochigi and Tokyo prefectures has resumed.

However, every consignment of products from these areas has to be accompanied by a certificate of origin as well as a pre-export laboratory report, which certifies that the food has been tested for radioactivity and found to be free from radioactive contaminants.

"AVA will continue to closely monitor food imports from Japan to ensure that they comply with our requirements for COO, pre- export test reports and freedom from radioactive contaminants. Food imported from Japan that is available in the market is safe for consumption," the authority said.

The decision follows a review by the Singapore authority and assurances from Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on the safety of food from Japan.

The food imports from the seven prefectures were suspended in 2011 following the Fukushima nuclear disaster.