Analysis of radionuclide levels in infant milk powder imported from Japan through cross-border e-commerce network sales

Abstract

ObjectiveA sample survey was conducted on the radionuclide content in imported Japaneseinfant milk powder sold by cross-border e-commerce in order to provide basic data for risk assessment.MethodsRandom sampling was conducted on imported Japanese infant milk powder sold by online cross-border e-commerce， including different brands and types. The strontium-90 activity concentration of milk powder samples was analyzed by HDEHP extraction chromatography （rapid method）， γ radionuclide activity concentration was analyzed by γ energy spectrometer， total αand total β activity concentration was analyzed by low background α， β measuring instrument.Then， the Radionuclide content in infant milk powder was compared with that from Chinese and imported from the Netherlands.ResultsThe artificial γ radionuclides （60Co， 103Ru， 106Ru， 131I， 134Cs， 137Cs） were not detected in the imported milk powder samples from Japan. strontium-90 activity concentration of 5 milk powder samples imported from Japan was lower than the method detection limit （MDL）. The strontium-90 activity concentration of other samples ranged from 0.13 to 0.18 Bq/kg. Only natural radionuclides 238U was detected in all samples， which ranged from 33.5 to 109 Bq/kg. The activity concentration of total α and total β ranged from 0.05 to 0.12 Bq/kg. The content of all radionuclides was lower than the limit of Chinese national food safety standards （GB18871—2002 and GB14882—94）.ConclusionThe results showed that 60% of the samples of infant milk powder imported from Japan on online cross-border e-commerce platforms were produced in Areas banned from import by China . Although the radionuclide content detected did not exceed China’s limits， considering the limitations of the sampling quantity and scope， consumers still need to be aware of the risk of excessive levels of radionuclides in infant milk powder imported from Janan. With the follow-up measures of the Fukushima nuclear accident， the relevant regulatory authorities still need strengthen random inspection and monitoring.

Keywords

• imported from japan
• infant milk powder
• radionuclide
• risk assessment