Guideline levels for radionuclides in foods following accidental nuclear contamination for use in international trade
| Dose per unit intake factor |
Representative radionuclides |
Level (Bq/kg) |
| Foods destined for general consumption | ||
| 10-6 | Americium-241, Plutonium-239 | 10 |
| 10-7 | Strontium-90 | 100 |
| 10-8 | Iodine-131, Caesium-134, Caesium-137 | 1000 |
| Milk and infant foods | ||
| 10-5 | Americium-241, Plutonium-239 | 1 |
| 10-7 | Iodine-131, Strontium-90 | 100 |
| 10-8 | Caesium-134, Caesium-137 | 1000 |
Notes: These levels are designed to be applied only to radionuclides contaminating food moving in international trade following an accident and not to naturally occurring radionuclides which have always been present in the diet. The Codex Alimentarius Guideline Levels remain applicable for one year following a nuclear accident. By an accident is meant a situation where the uncontrolled release of radionuclides to the environment results in the contamination of food offered in international trade.