U.S. Army Public Health Command lifts food ban Published June 10, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Kaleb Snay MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- On May 28, the U.S. Army Public Health Command Region-Pacific determined it is safe to lift the food procurement ban on certain locally grown and processed foods after completing comprehensive assessments and fully evaluating the radiation safety efforts of the Government of Japan. The military food procurement ban was originally set in response to the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami that caused Fukushima Dai-ichi power plant radiation release. This action was taken to protect the Department of Defense communities from potentially harmful substances. After two years of review, USAPHCR-Pacific has concluded that prefecture-specific, locally sourced foods, meeting U.S. Food and Drug Administration and DOD food safety requirements, are safe to sell in military commissaries. "On-going radiological monitoring of local foods by the Government of Japan with the Public Health Command Region-Pacific's standing food safety audit and sampling program ensure that all locally procured subsistence items meet or exceed the FDA and DOD food safety standards," said Lt. Col. Brian Kim, Commander, Public Health Command District-Japan. "The food products at the commissary and military food establishments are safe and meet FDA and DOD food safety standards." Commissary patrons should see an increase in availability and selection of fresh produce following the lift of previously banned food products. "The Defense Commissary Agency considers food safety to be their highest priority," Kim said. "Continued long-term routine monitoring by USAPHCR-Pacific and GOJ will ensure that local food items are safe and in compliance with respective food safety standards." For more information visit: Public Health Command District-Japan website Public Health Command Region-Pacific website DLA website GOJ Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare website on food safety issues (This story has been localized; please visit Yokota Air Base for the original story)