14/09/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 13 September, the European ombudsman, P. Nikiforos Diamandouros, welcomed the European Commission's clarifications concerning the maximum permitted levels of radioactive contamination for foodstuffs in the EU, following the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan. The ombudsman had asked the Commission for these clarifications after several citizens complained about a lack of information concerning changes made to the maximum levels. In its opinion, 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 in April. (O.L./transl.fl)