Irradiated Beef Shows Japanese Government Incompetence

It seems the biggest ruckus about Fukushima is the contaminated hay that has been fed to cattle all around Japan.


Reuters reports:

Turmoil caused by the recent detection of cesium contamination of beef shipped from Fukushima Prefecture, home to the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, is spreading to hurt producers of high-quality beef in other parts of the country. With cattle shipments and bidding suspended or canceled due to people's fears over the contaminated beef, livestock farms and related firms worry they may be forced out of business. Since radioactive cesium above the government-designated limit was detected in beef cattle from Fukushima at a Tokyo slaughterhouse on July 8, it has been discovered that cattle possibly fed with contaminated straw have been transported across the country, except for Okinawa Prefecture.

I don't really have much to say about this excepting that this is once again proof of incompetent Japanese government.

Many might claim that this is proof that the situation at Fukushima is out of control and the government must do something about it... In fact, I gather that's what the vast majority of people think.

Well, I would like to point out something that seems missing from the conversation and ask dear reader a question:

Folks, think about this: That these animals were fed tainted hay is not proof of a situation growing out of control at all. This is only proof of government incompetence. This hay was harvested and feed to animals as feed. This is a past event. Not a current or future one. That this hay wasn't destroyed is proof that the government is unable to act and think proactively and, in any case, it is, undoubtedly, proof and another example of government incompetence.

Now, here's my question: Everyone knows how this event happened and the chain of events that lead to it. Consider that along with the government being unable to anticipate obvious problems, then how in the world would anyone in their right mind want that same government to nationalize TEPCO and take over the crippled nuclear power plants?

Now, that would be madness and would most definitely precede many future problems. It astounds me that so many people express opinions of such a nature

Don't people seem to realize the huge contradiction in their own thinking?

"Whenever you find that you are on the side of the majority, it is time to reform." - Mark Twain

How to Detect Radioactive Beef in Japan

This particular blog post is a public service to people, especially English speaking people, living in Japan who wish to detect, simply, radioactive beef. This a very simple post on how to protect your family and care for their health by using some tips on food safety.


Specifically, I want to talk to you about how to detect tainted beef from Fukushima.


But first, a few tips about produce. Many farms use pesticides and insecticides on produce to protect it from bugs and disease. I strongly suggest washing off all fruits and vegetables well before consuming. I also strongly suggest peeling the skin off of any produce whenever possible before consuming. Even if you don't eat the rinds on some fruits (like melons) you should still wash them before cutting as bacteria on the skin could wind up on the knife as you cut into the fruit. 


Here are more great tips on washing produce properly. 


Now, onto that controversial tainted beef from Fukushima. Pay careful attention as I will now demonstrate to you how to detect this beef product - or any other tainted product - easily and simply when shopping at stores in Japan. 


This is not exactly rocket science.


Any reputable dealer in Japan will list where any product is produced clearly on the product label. It is how the free market works in Japan. All stores list origin of products. If they don't, customers don't shop there. 


You must, though, be able to at least read some basic kanji. 


Here are some examples. Notice circled areas:

Asparagus from Akita prefecture

Beef from Aomori prefecture

Corn on the cob from Chiba prefecture

Cucumbers from Fukushima prefecture. What!? Yep. That's

what it says. I saw a lady buy some too. Me? No. I bought

the cucumbers from Akita... 

Hokkaido prefecture beef

Ibaraki prefecture beef...Oops! I mean Tochigi

prefecture! Thanks to Jimbo sensei!

Nagano mini-tomatoes... I could go on and on...

But why? I think you get the idea here.

If you ever see a product at a grocery store or a restaurant and it doesn't list origin of ingredients (good restaurants will specify where produce or meats and fish are you) and you want to know, ask. 

This is the kanji for Fukushima. 

If you are concerned about food safety, don't buy it if it has this on the label. I don't. 

That's it. Just ask. Or read what the information says.


It's pretty simple.


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Important! Recently, the huge retailer Costco had beef at astoundingly low prices here in Japan. Fine. But the beef in question, at the store that I am referring to (Kawasaki Costco), did not list origin on the rack. That is strange! When asked where the beef came from the store clerk whispered, "Fukushima."


Caveat Emptor. Let the buyer beware!


Let also the buyer learn to read and write at least second grade level Japanese if they live here. 


And that's how to detect Fukushima beef.


Told you it wasn't rocket science.


For more excellent updates on Fukushima, see Marc Sheffner's Accurate Maps blog: http://www.sheffnersweb.net/blogs/accuratemaps/