Monday, June 27, 2011

More Trouble With Tea From Japan

The tea industry continues to be impacted by the disaster in Japan. The World Tea News reported that French officials seized a tea shipment from Shizuoka city (in Japan) as a result of radiation levels that tested at twice the legal limit. Tests are now being conducted at tea processing plants in Shizuoka city, and of June 21st five tea processing facilities were shut down due to illegal levels of cesium found in tea. Consumers will eventually be impacted since Shizuoka produces over 39% of Japan's annual tea product. It is estimated that the radiation release in Japan was between 20%-40% of the 1986 nuclear disaster in Chernobyl.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Update on Contaminated Tea from Japan



Most people involved in the tea industry have been closely monitoring reports about the tea crops in Japan. World Tea News reported that radiation leaks far exceeded initial reports and contamination in four regions is creating local tea shortages. A Tokoyo tea mail order house found tea leaves from the Warashina district of Shizuoka City exceed cesium limits despite safety assurances.

By World Tea News:
Radiation released in March from stricken reactors in Fukushima far exceeded initial reports. Last week Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare greatly expanded restrictions on tea shipments adding portions of three northern prefectures to the leaf ban following additional tests. The decision already has created local shortages but impact on exports is small.