Belgium restricts local food after radioactive leak

Belgian authorities have restricted consumption of vegetables and milk produced near a nuclear medicine institute in Fleurus after a leakage of radioactive iodine, the European Commission said.

"Belgian authorities. . . have now decided to implement protective actions, in particular restrictions on the consumption of local food produce (vegetables and milk), up to a distance of 5km (sector northeast)," the European Union executive said in a statement.

The Belgian nuclear control agency said that the incident, which took place in southern Belgium last weekend, was "serious" and rated it three out of seven based on the International Nuclear Incident Scale (INES).

The measures to restrict consumption were taken after samples of local grass showed higher-than-expected contamination.

Belgian authorities have drawn heavy criticism for the handling of the crisis.

"What do we do with people who have eaten vegetables? Why wait so many days before announcing measures?" the Belga news agency quoted Green member of parliament Jean-Marc Nollet as saying. Nollet asked for an independent investigation.

- Reuters