Concerns Over Radiation Poisoning Prompt FDA To Release Information On Food Safety

3/21 UPDATE: Warning comes from World Health Organization. to read full story.

As Japan continues efforts to control widespread nuclear disaster as a result of the country's Fukushima power plant failure following the 9.0 magnitude earthquake on March 11, U.S. government agencies are working to allay fears of radiation poisoning in this country.

Sunday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration published additional information on its website regarding the safety of foods and medical products imported from the stricken country.

According to the website, no products are being exported from the affected area and, “FDA’s import tracking system has been programmed to automatically flag all shipments of FDA-regulated products from Japan, and the Agency maintains a registry of companies that prepare, pack, manufacture, or hold food for intended consumption in the U.S.

“Based on current information, there is no risk to the U.S. food supply,” the site continued. “FDA is closely monitoring the situation in Japan and is working with the Japanese government and other U.S. agencies to continue to ensure that imported food remains safe.”

According to the site, Japanese imports include “human and animal foods, medical devices and radiation emitting products, cosmetics, animal and human drugs and biologics, dietary supplements, and animal feeds.”

The FDA reports that foods imported from Japan make up less than 4 percent of foods imported from all sources. The most common food products imported include seafood, snack foods and processed fruits and vegetables.

As for fish that has yet to be harvested, the FDA states it is monitoring the situation.

“The great quantity of water in the Pacific Ocean rapidly and effectively dilutes radioactive material, so fish and seafood are likely to be unaffected. However, FDA is taking all steps to evaluate and measure any contamination in fish presented for import into the U.S.”

While public health officials are warning against taking excessive to ward off radiation poisoning, the FDA site does offer suggestions.

“Potassium iodide is the only FDA-approved medication available to treat contamination with radioactive iodine,” the site states, but cautions against treatment here in the U.S.

“There is no public health event requiring anyone in the U.S. to take (potassium iodide) because of the ongoing situation in Japan.”

In California, officials continue to maintain that only "miniscule" amounts of radiation have been detected.

On Sunday, South Coast Air Quality Management District reported "As of today, radiation levels measured at three regional sites operated by the South Coast Air Quality Management District for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have not been higher than typical “background” levels seen before the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.  These levels are thousands of times below any conservative level of concern."

The Environmental Protection Agency is also monitoring radiation levels and is reporting its findings via its website. As of March 20, reports in for the U.S. show "levels far below levels of concern."

To see Riverside's levels, click here.