China expands ban on Japan food

BEIJING: China has extended its ban on imports of food and Japan for fear of radioactive contamination of a nuclear paralyzed by March 11 earthquake and tsunami, reported state media Saturday.

The ban, which came into effect on Friday, including food products, agricultural products and fodder from 12 prefectures near the plant in Fukushima, against five in the initial ban, Xinhua news agency, quoting a statement from the administration of quarantine and safety of food.

The administration has also requested that food imports from other areas be accompanied by certificates showing they were free of radioactivity and give their places of origin.

Beijing has expressed its concern on the release into the sea of ​​radioactive water from nuclear power and urged its neighbor to protect the marine environment.

China said Saturday it had detected 10 cases of radioactive contamination of passengers, aircraft, ships and containers from Japan since March 16.

Similar bans on imports of food from areas near the plant struck were imposed by Russia, the United States, South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore. (AFP)