Spanish Government strengthens checks on products imported from Japan

The Ministry of Health, Social Policy and Equality has decided to carry out more stringent checks on food products being imported from Japan. This follows recommendations from international bodies and the application of the "principle of precaution". Said checks, which have been in place for several days now, are being managed by the Subdirectorate-General of Foreign Health.

As regards manufactured products that enter Spain mainly through major Spanish seaports, under the "megaport" protocol overseen by the Tax Authorities, radiological control will also be increased in collaboration with professionals from the Nuclear Safety Council.

Furthermore, representatives from the Ministry of Health, Civil Protection and the Nuclear Safety Council taking part in the meetings held by the Group Monitoring the Situation in Japan reported on the possibility of supplying potassium iodide and on the preventive measures that must be considered.

Firstly, it is necessary to remember that potassium iodide is a medicine and should never be administered if not recommended by the authorities. Potassium iodide tablets are supplied as a preventive measure solely and exclusively in radiological contamination evacuation areas.

Therefore, those Spanish citizens who reside in Japan or who have travelled to the country should follow the recommendations issued by the Japanese Government in this regard. However, the Government of Spain has sufficient reserves of potassium iodide to send to Japan should such action become necessary.

The Ministry of Health has issued certificates to the 119 passengers on the flight chartered by the Government of Spain for residents in Japan who arrived in Madrid on Monday and who voluntarily underwent a radiological check-up. None of these people presented any indications of contamination. Of the 119, 94 are Spanish citizens with their immediate family members; in other words, they are citizens born in Spain who were accompanied on the plane by their families, mainly spouses and children.

After checking the passports of the passengers, the Spanish citizens and their family members come from the following autonomous regions: Andalusia - 18; Aragon - 3; Asturias - 3; Canary Islands - 2; Cantabria - 6; Catalonia - 26; Castile and Leon - 4; Region of Valencia - 3; Extremadura - 3; Galicia - 1; and Madrid - 25.

Regarding those passengers arriving from Japan by their own means on commercial flights, the Ministry of Health is maintaining its protocol for information and attention, which can be accessed through the following channels:

• Tel.: 901 400 100
• Email: oiac@mspsi.es

Finally, the Director-General for Consular Affairs, Santiago Cabanas, informed the other members of the Group Monitoring the Situation in Japan that the diplomatic representatives who travelled to the Torrejón de Ardoz Air Base on Monday to attend to the passengers from other countries who arrived on the aircraft chartered by the Government of Spain have officially expressed their gratitude for the collaboration and assistance provided by the Spanish authorities.