Tests Results For Radioactive Cesium In Shizuoka Prefecture Green Tea

Based on the Shizuoka Tea Research Center analyses!

Diverse Japan has just been informed by Otsuka Tea Co., Ltd about the radiation test results on tea grown in the Shizuoka area (home of Mt. Fuji) undertaken by the Shizuoka Tea Research Center in cooperation with the Shizuoka Prefectural Government. And it’s good news for tea lovers!

Radioactive cesium above the regulatory limit was detected in green tea produced in Shizuoka this year due to the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident in March. The Shizuoka Prefectural Government recognize that this caused great inconveniences to tea distributors and consumers.

Based on the Shizuoka Tea Research Center analyses, the Shizuoka Prefectural Government provided guidance for a more thorough tea production management to the tea producers in the Shizuoka area. As a result, it was determined that radioactive levels have significantly dropped.

From this, the Shizuoka Prefectural Government concludes that teas produced from the rest of the year onward are safe for tea distributors and consumers.

An in-depth pdf report of the test results can be read here Shizuoka Tea Test Results

Please note: The tests carried out on tea produced by Otsuka Tea Co. Ltd., was brewed tea only. Further tests are currently being done on the actual tea leaves. We will announce the outcome as soon as we receive the results from Otsuka Tea Co., Ltd.

Old flush 2011 -Tea leaves removed after radioactive cesium was detected (Photo: ©Otsuka Tea Co., Ltd)

Otsuka tea plantation, Shizuoka – new flush 2012 (Photo: © Otsuka Tea Co., Ltd)

Otsuka tea plantation, Shizuoka – new flush 2012 (Photo: © Otsuka Tea Co., Ltd)

Similar tests were also carried out on vegetables harvested this year in Shizuoka. The results are as follows.

Carrot: N.D. (Not detected) less than 3.7Bq/kg of Cesium 137 & 134

Orange: N.D. (Not detected) less than 3.0Bq/kg of Cesium 137 & 134

Butterbur: N.D. (Not detected) less than 3.5Bq/kg of Cesium 137& 134

Field peas: N.D. (Not detected) less than 3.1Bq/kg of Cesium 137& 134

The above results are almost the same as before the Fukushima radioactive accident.

Special thanks to Otsuka Tea Co., Ltd for this information.

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