Radiation warning over Tokyo tap water

Japanese officials have warned that radiation levels in Tokyo's tap water are such that it is unfit for babies to drink. The news compounded concerns over the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant, north-east of the capital – near where the government has banned farm produce.

Reuters

Farm produce shipments were halted from Fukushima and three nearby prefectures - Ibaraki, Tochigi and Gunma - while radiation monitoring of farm and seafood products was stepped up in six others.

The United States has blocked imports of dairy and other produce from areas near the plant, which has been emitting radiation since it was hit by an earthquake and tsunami on 11 March.

France urged the European Union to also control Japanese food imports.

One Tokyo water sample contained 210 becquerels of iodine per kilogramme, more than double the legal limit, a city official said at a press conference.

The news triggered a 1.6 per cent dive on the Tokyo stock market.

"Under government guidelines, water containing a radioactive substance of more than 100 becquerels per kilogramme should not be used for milk for babies," the official said.

The government advised residents throughout the city to avoid using tap water to make infant formula until further notice.