ABU DHABI // The Ministry of Environment and Water has banned the import of all fresh produce from Japan.
In addition, packaged foods whose safe-to-consume dates expire within two weeks of their entering the country will be admitted only if they bear a certificate from Japanese health authorities stating they are free of any radioactivity, according to the state news agency WAM.
The Government announced this week that it was testing all food imported from Japan for radioactivity and would not allow contaminated items to enter.
According to the statement, the latest decision "was based on information received from the World Health Organisation and the International Network of Food Safety Authorities and news reports from the stations and the international news agencies on the radiation leak in Japan".
The ban includes all fresh vegetables and fruits, dairy products, fish and seafood, meat, and any other item that expires within two weeks of entry, the statement said.
On Wednesday, Tokyo residents were told that tap water was unsafe for consumption by infants.
