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Low Radiation Doses Found In West Coast Milk

LOS ANGELES(CBS/AP) — Health officials are taking no chances with food safety in the wake of the Japan nuclear disaster.

Milk samples from California and Washington have tested positive for low levels of radiation, while fresh fish imports from Japan are undergoing heavy scrutiny.

The California Department of Public Health said on its website that traces of radioactive Iodine-131 was found March 28 in milk sold San Luis Obispo County.

U.S. and state officials, who are monitoring for contamination as the nuclear crisis unfolds in Japan, say the levels are still 5,000 times below levels of concern.

Meanwhile, radioactive water near the damaged Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant has led to a ban on fishing in the region.

KNX 1070's John Brooks reports the ban also means no more octopi and other fresh fish arriving and at the international marine products market in downtown Los Angeles.

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Officials say local imports are first tested by Geiger counters from the Food and Drug Administration, and then sent to another radiation test facility in Arizona before going on sale.

The Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday that radiation was also found in a March 25 milk sample from Spokane, Wash.

Japan's Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power complex began leaking radiation after it was damaged by a devastating earthquake and tsunami this month.

(TM and © Copyright 2010 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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