Posted on 10/12/2011 11:16:00 PM PDT by TigerLikesRooster
Inspections failed to detect cesium-tainted 'Sayama' tea
October 13, 2011
Government tests that detected levels of radioactive cesium exceeding the legal limit in tea products made with famous "Sayama tea," a high-end brand of green tea leaves produced mainly in the southwestern region of Saitama Prefecture, have left a bitter taste in producers' mouths.
The association of green tea producers in the prefecture announced on Sept. 14 that it will voluntarily stop shipments and sales of tea leaves produced this year.
But the news about cesium contamination of Sayama tea is all the more shocking to these producers--not just because it threatens the reputation of one of the most highly prized brands of green tea in Japan--but also because earlier sampling inspections by the prefectural government found no problem with locally produced tea leaves.
The results of the surprise radiation tests on food products that the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare started in August stunned the green tea industry in Saitama Prefecture.
(Excerpt) Read more at ajw.asahi.com ...
P!
More “hot” green tea. A bit of cesium to go with the strontium 90 on roof tops in Yokohama. What a mess.
I checked at Twinings online. 'Most green tea comes from Eastern China.' I hope that's when my tea came from.
I like tea.
I have seen a few reports where an area previously tested as low contamination levels in June or so now tests with much higher levels. Some theorize that it is all the permitted burning of radioactive sludge redistributing Cesium from solid wastes into the air to land somewhere else. Others point to evidence of recriticality and the fact that the reactors are still dumping radiation into the atmosphere. Maybe it’s both.
I’ve also read that the US is the largest importer of Japanese green tea - that’s why their officials traveled to NY to push green tea from Japan as safe.
If it’s lethal they can just sell it China who’ll sell it to us.
Very true. I note that Fukushima is upstream from pearl beds. Japan is known for it’s pearls, of course. But how well post-fukushima pearls will sell unless tested? But, again, they can sell them to China and China can sell them to us.
I believe I read that Hillary Clinton has assured Japan that the US will not impeded the import of produce etc. from Japan. A little wink wink nod nod to our ‘trading’ partner early on. So yes - I imagine at best, they’ll just dilute with other tea to get under the legal limit and sell all their radioactive waste...uh...I mean ag products...to the US. Perhaps a little payback for Hiroshima?
Whats a little cancer with our tea anyway? Bitch.
Need to maintain truth in advertising to keep selling it. Just rebrand to "Sayounara Tea".
Opens up the possibility of an excellent advertising campaign: “Sayama tea in the morning gives you that little extra glow all day long.”
Wonderful.
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