After a request made by the European Ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, the Commission explained that, immediately after the Fukushima nuclear accident, the maximum radiation levels permitted in foodstuffs imported from Japan to the EU were higher than those permitted in Japan itself, but were lowered to the Japanese levels a few weeks later.

P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, the European Ombudsman, has welcomed the European Commission's clarifications following the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan, concerning the maximum permitted levels of radioactive contamination for foodstuffs in the EU. The Commission explained that the maximum radiation levels permitted in foodstuffs imported from Japan to the EU were higher than those permitted in Japan itself immediately after the Fukushima nuclear accident, but were lowered to the Japanese levels a few weeks later.

The Ombudsman opened an inquiry to obtain precise information on the maximum permitted levels before and after the Fukushima accident following the complaints from citizens. In its opinion, the Commission explained that immediately after the accident, the EU activated the emergency mechanisms it had adopted in the wake of the Chernobyl accident. These included maximum permitted levels of radioactive contamination for foodstuffs, such as baby food or dairy products, as well as for feed. These levels were higher than the Japanese levels. In April 2011, therefore, the Commission decreased the maximum permitted levels to bring them into line with the Japanese levels.

The European Ombudsman investigates complaints about maladministration in the EU institutions and bodies. Any EU citizen, resident, or an enterprise or association in a Member State, can lodge a complaint with the Ombudsman. In this occasion, citizens have complained about the lack of information concerning contamination levels.