Analysis of Cranberry Products For Caesium-137 (Number 32/02)

The Food Standards Agency has carried out a survey to determine the level of radioactive caesium (Cs-137) in a small number of cranberry products. Most products contained very low levels of radioactivity although two products had slightly elevated levels. The survey followed the finding of elevated levels of radioactivity in a consignment of concentrated cranberry juice exported from Germany. This consignment was returned to Germany and did not enter the UK foodchain.

Consumers with very large consumption of these products would receive only a small additional dose of radioactivity compared with background levels of exposure from food and the environment. There is therefore no need for consumers to avoid cranberries or products containing cranberries as the results raise no food safety concerns.