日本超級市場自動檢查食品放射性物質含量

Recently the NHK News reported the following:
大手スーパーの「イオン」は、肉や魚などの食品に含まれる放射性物質への消費者の不安を解消しようと自主的に行った検査の結果を店頭で公表することになりました。
イオンは、東京電力福島第一原子力発電所の事故を受けて、国産牛肉やコメ、野菜などを対象に放射線を測定する機器を使って自主的な検査を行い、国の定める暫定基準値の１０分の１に当たる５０ベクレル以上が検出された場合、販売を取り止めています。しかし、消費者の放射性物質に対する不安感が根強いことから、放射性物質の検査結果を９日から全国１０００の店舗の店頭とホームページ上で公表することになりました。このうち、店舗では放射性物質が検出された場合の数値や産地が記載された検査結果のリストを売り場近くに置いて、自由に見ることができるようにします。ただ、検査結果は商品の販売から数日後に分かるケースもあることから、仮に放射性物質が検出された商品があった場合は取り扱うのを止め、あとからの返品にも応じるということです。記者会見したイオンの近澤靖英執行役は「消費者から検査結果を公表してほしいという声が多く、安心して買い物をしてもらうには情報開示が必要と判断した」と話しています。
(試譯文)
"Aeon" the major supermarket would announce officially the result of the inspection conducted independently in the shops regarding the radioactive material contained in their food, such as meat and fish, saying that it would remove the uneasiness of the consumers.

In response to the accident of the number one nuclear power plant of the Tokyo Electric Power at Fukushima, Aeon conducted an independent inspection using the apparatus which measured the radiation in domestic beef, rice, vegetables, etc. and would cancel their sales when they were detected exceeding 50 Bq or the equivalent to 1/10 of the interim standard value of the country. However, since the fear of insecurity in the consumers over radioactive material was deep-rooted, starting from the 9th, the test results on radioactive material would be released at the shop front of 1000 stores in the whole country, and also at the homepage. Among these arrangement, a list of test results in which the numerical value and the place of production in the event radioactive material was detected would be indicated; and the list would be placed near the counter to enable it to be seen freely at the store.
However, there might be cases that the test result was known after the goods was sold for several days; when there were goods in which the radioactive material was detected, they would temporarily stop carrying the goods, and also would respond to returning the goods.
Yasuhide Chikazawa the official of the Aeon who gave the interview said that "there is much voice from the consumers that want the release the test results; in order to have confidence in shopping, it is judged that the disclosure of information is necessary".

It is nice to know that Aeon is taking further steps in regaining the consumers' confidence.