Radioactivity in wheat?

Press, 1 March 1989, Page 2

Radioactivity in wheat?

By

DAVID LUCAS

Contamination from the Chernobyl disaster is unlikely to have affected a shipment of Turkish wheat expected in New Zealand later this month. Canterbury wheatgrowers had recently suggested the shipment might contain an excessive amount of radioactivity but this has been discounted by the Health Department and the National Radiation Laboratory. Dr Murray Matthews, of the laboratory, said it was extremely unlikely the wheat would contain a significant level of ra-| dioactivity. The importation into New Zealand of some foods from Eastern Europe was restricted after the Chernobyl disaster and subject to guide-

lines regarding the level of radio nuclides in the foods. If the imports did not have a certificate stating they complied with New Zealand’s requirements, they were sample tested in New Zealand. Mrs Marion Riordan, a food technologist with the Health Department in Wellington, said she was aware of only one case where a consignment (of spice products) did not meet the guidelines. It was sent back. The Turkish wheat would be tested on arrival in New Zealand if it was with a s-w»<nicate stating it complied with New Zealand’s health requirements, she said. It was likely the restrictions on food imports would be removed shortly. „