Tobacco fails JT’s radioactive testing

Japan Tobacco Inc. has completed its pre-purchase radioactive material testing of this year’s Japanese domestic leaf tobacco with the completion of tests on Burley and native varieties.

Testing started in late July on the country’s flue-cured Virginia tobacco, the results of which were announced on August 7.

In a note posted on its website, JT said that following the Burley and native tobacco testing in 128 areas, the results from 126 areas fell within the JT standard value (radioactive cesium of 100 Bq/kg).

They exceeded the standard value in two areas and JT said it would not buy this year’s leaf tobacco produced in these areas. JT said it would continue with its scheme of testing domestic leaf tobacco after purchase, and testing and monitoring it a number of times at each stage of the production process.