FDA’s screening at U.S. borders will remain vigilant and will be augmented with radiation screening of shipments. On March 22, 2011, in order to complement the measures taken by the Government of Japan and to strengthen the global food safety net regarding certain products, FDA issued Import Alert 99-33 regarding the importation of all milk and milk products and fresh vegetables and fruits produced or manufactured from the four Japanese prefectures of Fukushima, Ibaraki, Tochigi and Gunma. Based on current information, there is no risk to the U.S. food supply. FDA is closely monitoring the situation in Japan and is working with the Japanese government and other U.S. agencies to continue to ensure that imported food remains safe. FDA already has a very robust screening process for imports and has staff in place at the ports to monitor incoming products. FDA does not have concerns with the safety of imported food products that have already reached the U.S. and that are in distribution. Imports from Japan include human and animal foods, medical devices and radiation emitting products, cosmetics, animal and human drugs and biologics, dietary supplements, and animal feeds. The most common food products imported include seafood, snack foods, and processed fruits and vegetables. Foods imported from Japan make up less than 4 percent of foods imported from all sources and 60 percent of all products imported from Japan are foods . (Food products from Canada and Mexico each make up about 29 percent of all imported foods.) Please see the joint fact sheet with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for additional information on this developing situation.
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