Dear Supporters of the original Fukushima food safety petition ~ By now you know that Japan's government began dumping 1.34 million tons (at minimum) of Fukushima radioactive wastewater into the Pacific ocean over (at minimum) the next 30 years. Tritium is a hydrogen-based molecule that won't be filtered. There are additional radionuclides that won't be completely filtered either. Nevermind the industry PR spin, it isn't "treated" water, it's radioactive wastewater. Tritium has been found to cause cancer and other disease and bioconcentrates in seafood as it moves up the food chain to humans. This is happening regardless of public officials eating Fukushima food at photo ops.

We're not giving up! Fukushima Fallout Awareness Network was formed in 2011, inspired by this Change petition. FFAN will be featured at the soon to be launched National Institute for Science, Law and Public Policy website. NISLAAP was founded in 1978 and works to bridge the gap between science and public policy. The late, great Jim Turner was not only an original Nader Raider, he was the founder of NISLAAP and instrumental in filing the 2013 FDA Citizen Petition to strengthen regulation of man-made radiation in food. The US currently has among the very weakest protections in the world at 1,200 becquerel per kilogram of cesium whereas Japan has 100 Bq/kg. Food considered unfit for consumption there is considered by FDA to be fine for US. China, Hong Kong, and South Korea have established varying levels of bans on food from Japan HOWEVER the FDA has lifted ALL restriction bans here at home as of September, 2021. It is no surprise to learn that Japan intends to redirect food from countries protecting their citizens to the US and UK.

What can be done?  Source your seafood, tea, rice and any foodstuffs from Japan carefully!  Sushi should be seriously reconsidered. The FDA petition remains open and accepting comments and they NEED TO HEAR FROM YOU TODAY. Your input matters. We demand a right to know why FDA has lifted restrictions and they MUST act now to protect us, our families and communities https://www.regulations.gov/document/FDA-2013-P-0291-0001 

One more thing: please take just a minute to sign the companion signature petition: https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/keep-harmful-radioactive-1 

There is no independent oversight at Fukushima to date. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) signed off on the plan July 4th amid protest and outrage that not all tests had been conducted per original agreements. Japan's government and the IAEA have been allowed to push forward with a plan that is very likely illegal but nonetheless may open floodgates for other countries to follow in crisis scenarios. 

The spotlight is now on the nuclear industry's devastating impact on the environment, our health, and the urgent need to transition to renewable energy. Not only is Fukushima wreaking havoc by releasing contaminated water that has been in contact with not one but THREE nuclear corium meltdowns, but many are surprised to learn that dumping has been a function of nuclear power production for decades. Atmospheric venting of radiation is also used to relieve pressure buildup inside reactors. Two different scenarios, radioactive apples to oranges? Japan is pointing to other countries but what they are doing at Fukushima is unprecedented.  All of it must stop. Meanwhile, more than 100 fishermen and locals living near Fukushima announced they will file a lawsuit Monday seeking to stop the dumping, while crowds continue to protest in the streets of South Korea.

Thanks for reading this, and for signing and commenting on the above links (you may need to cut and paste the links to your browser if you're unable to click on directly). Please stay tuned for more updates. 

Take care, 

Kimberly

Fukushima Fallout Awareness Network
Twitter X @FFAN4u @RadFreeFoodie
Instagram @FukushimaFalloutAware