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[SIZE="3"]Public hoarding old rice over fallout fears[/SIZE]
The Japan Times (Kyodo) | Aug. 5, 2011
Consumers are starting to hoard last year's rice over concerns the next crops may be contaminated with radioactive materials released from the Fukushima No. 1 power plant, retailers said...
...the buying spree indicates deep public distrust in the government's handling of food safety issues amid the nuclear crisis following a scare over contaminated beef.
A rice selling business in Nerima Ward, Tokyo, said regular customers began asking it to keep rice in stock just around the time the ministry disclosed its rice inspection plans Wednesday.
A supermarket in Koto Ward said rice is selling at twice the normal pace, while various brands were mostly sold out at a nearby shopping center.
"It's like a rice panic," said a store clerk at a supermarket in Chuo Ward, noting that given the strong demand for old rice, wholesalers are hesitant about quickly releasing their stock. Friday..more...
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