July 15, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Japanese Restaurants Reassure Diners: Concerns Over Radiation in Food Felt Locally

The events unfolding at the stricken nuclear power plant in Fukushima, Japan have some Santa Monica diners concerned about where the fish on their plate has come from. Some restaurants are taking steps to ease their customers’ feelings of uncertainty about the safety of eating Japanese fish these days.

Monitoring of Japanese food imports has stepped up and government health officials have said they have not found a public health hazard in Japanese seafood.

“Seafood from the six Japanese prefectures of concern is examined and screened for radiation by Customs and Border Protection, and the Food and Drug Administration,” said FDA spokesperson Siobhan DeLancey in a phone conversation. “If there’s any indication of radiation, it will be sampled and tested. It must test OK before it can come into the country.

“We have not found any Japanese seafood with elevated levels of radiation. We attribute much of that to the damage to the infrastructure from the earthquake and tsunami that is preventing fishing around the area of concern,” she said this week.

Despite such assurances, some restaurant diners are concerned and restaurants are responding.

Some local Japanese restaurants are buying more fish from other parts of the world, not only to accommodate customers’ concerns, but also because the supply of Japanese fish is reduced due to the destruction of much of the fishing infrastructure in northeastern Japan.

Fish from Japan tends to be expensive and can cost five times more than fish from other regions of the world, said Steve Choi, owner of Miso Fishy sushi restaurant on Lincoln Boulevard. Even before the earthquake, much of the fish typically used in sushi dishes came from all around the world. One exception is the prized seasonal fishes that are indigenous to Japan, which may become harder to find.

At the popular Sushi Roku on Ocean Avenue, there has been an average of two to five questions or phone calls daily from patrons asking whether the fish on the menu is from Japan, said General Manager Eddy Sevilla. “Their concern is natural; people are concerned,” he said. He also observed that some patrons are opting for cooked rather than raw fish.

Sevilla said the FDA does not allow unsafe food to be imported, but to play it safe, the restaurant has reduced the amount of fish imported from Japan, from about 50 percent before the earthquake to about 20 percent now. He said the only fish the restaurant is getting now from Japan is from the waters off the southernmost island of Kyushu, far from the affected area, even though fish imported from other areas would be safe due to FDA screening. “We want to make sure our clientele is happy,” he said. The restaurant has a list documenting the origins of the seafood served at the restaurant. Last week the list included places such as Spain, Boston, Santa Barbara, Australia, and Korea.

Toshio Sakamaki, executive sushi chef at Ozumo on the rooftop deck of Santa Monica Place, estimates that the restaurant is getting about five inquiries daily from customers asking if the fish is from Japan. Only about 10 percent to 15 percent of the fish served at Ozumo is from Japan and all of it is from the Kyushu region, he said. Sakamaki said the restaurant may look increasingly to non-Japanese sources of seafood if customers’ worries continue. In a prepared note, the restaurant reassures customers that “all our shipments from Japan are now being individually inspected and tested by FDA immediately upon arrival in the U.S. No contamination is suspected and these steps are being taken strictly as a precaution.” Recently, the restaurant, along with the other Ozumo restaurants in Oakland and San Francisco, raised $8,000 to help with disaster relief efforts in Japan.

There haven’t been any changes at Santa Monica Seafood on Wilshire Boulevard due to events in Japan, said Executive Vice President and Co-owner Michael Cigliano. “People on the Westside are very much into wholesomeness and knowing where their products come from, and [what’s happening in Japan] hasn’t changed that. Our customers want to know where the fish is from and how it’s caught.”

Cigliano said Japan has never been a big source of product for Santa Monica Seafood and none of the fish sold at the store comes from Japan. Rather than Japanese hamachi (yellowtail), the store sells Australian hiramasa, which is “a shorter, rounder fish, but just like hamachi.”s

“I think the public’s perception of hamachi is that it’s being raised in the [Japanese] area, so rather than take any chances, they’re looking for alternatives,” he said. “But any product from overseas has to be tested by U.S. Customs. Especially now, there’s more scrutiny than ever before.”

in News
<>Related Posts

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Venice Beach to Host First Medal at 2028 Olympics

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Venice Beach, known for its vibrant boardwalk, will kick off the 844 ticketed events, hosting the triathlon along its coastline...

Santa Monica Man Arrested for Allegedly Exporting Electronics to Iran

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Ostovari, identified as the CEO of a Tehran-based engineering firm, allegedly orchestrated the scheme since 2018  A 66-year-old Santa Monica...

Federal Judge Sides with Santa Monica, Other Local Governments Against Immigration Raids

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete praised the ruling, saying it reaffirmed the city’s commitment to protecting residents from unjust detention...

Veterans Tech Group to Launch Los Angeles Chapter with Networking Event

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Founded in San Francisco, VetsInTech operates 20 chapters nationwide and claims more than 60,000 veterans VetsInTech, a national nonprofit that...

Film Review: Jurassic World: Rebirth

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

“The story is simplistic and predictive, and that’s all it needs to be, because the age-old battle to survive the...

Santa Monica Assault Suspect Faces Multiple Charges, Authorities Seek Additional Victims

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

Marbra allegedly assaulted a 52-year-old woman on the Strand in Santa Monica, facing a felony count of assault with intent...

SM.a.r.t.Column: Does the Rand Corporation have a future in Santa Monica?

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

“Although no one said it outright, it is clear to all that RAND is feeling—and will continue to feel—the impact...

County Health Leaders Decry Federal Policy Barring Undocumented from Programs

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The officials argued the policy jeopardizes care for all residents, noting it could deter people—regardless of status—from seeking treatment  Leaders...

County Supervisors Move to Preserve Measure J Amid Charter Error

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

Measure J mandates that at least 10% of the county’s locally generated, unrestricted funds be allocated to community investments like...

LA Medical Center Seeks Help Identifying Unconscious Patient

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

He has been unconscious since admission, and staff have been unable to determine his identity Los Angeles General Medical Center,...

Mayor Bass Issues Directive to Protect Immigrant Communities

July 12, 2025

July 12, 2025

The order expands access to city resources for affected families and requests records from ICE, including details on arrests Mayor...

Downtown Santa Monica CEO Andrew Thomas to Step Down

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Thomas, who rejoined DTSM, Inc. in 2022, oversaw the introduction of a private security program, expanded homeless outreach, and boosted...

Conservancy to Tour Historic Miles Playhouse at State of the City Event

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

Built in 1929, the Miles Playhouse serves as the centerpiece of Lincoln Park The Santa Monica Conservancy will offer 15-minute...

Sen. Ben Allen Highlights Challenges, Economic Gains for LA28 Olympics

July 11, 2025

July 11, 2025

The remarks came during the first informational hearing of the Senate’s Special Committee on International Sporting Events State Sen. Ben...