2024-09-10 19:38:20
The operation and management company of the Fukushima nuclear power plantTepco, announced that it had reached an agreement with Harrods to sell peaches, as part of an initiative aimed at restoring the reputation of the produce grown there.
“The main objective … is to dispel the fears of foreign markets regarding Fukushima products,” a representative of the Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), which manages the Fukushima plant, told AFP today.
The company has already organized campaigns in Thailand or the US to promote seafood, rice or agricultural products from the city located in the eastern part of Japan’s main island.
A box of three large, white, juicy peaches costs 80 pounds (almost $95). It is the first time that this fruit is available in a store in Europe, outside of sales during promotional events.
Before the 2011 nuclear accident, Fukushima was considered the “kingdom of fruit”.
While farms located beyond the areas near the nuclear plant were not contaminated, their sales plunged due to consumer fears about the health risks.
Before being sent to stores, all agricultural and fishery products in the Fukushima region are subject to strict controls regarding their exposure to radiation.
Sources: AFP, APE-MPE