“It’s unfortunate, but the radiation is clearly being carried on the air from the Fukushima plant. Because it’s raining, it’s possible that a lot of places will be affected. Even if people consume the water a few times, there should be no long-term ill effects,” said Yukio Edano, the chief cabinet secretary.

Though the Health Ministry released a statement saying negative health effects were unlikely for infants who drank the water, it also said the water should be avoided and should not be used to make infant formula. The warning was issued for Toyko, and the towns of Mitaka, Tama, Mushashino, Machida and Inagi.

The government also suspended shipment of raw milk and raw vegetables from the Fukushima Prefecture, the area surrounding the compromised Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station.

On Tuesday, March 22, 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration prohibited imports of dairy goods and produce from the affected region.