The United States is the first nation to suspend food imports of milk, vegetable, and fruits from Japan areas hit by the tsunami and close to the ailing Fukushima nuclear power plant, northeast of Tokyo.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's decision to stop imports from four Japanese prefectures in the crisis-hit northeast has shown the pangs of international anxiety over the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl in 1986.

Other countries may follow and similarly private importers have already suspended imports from Japan. On March 22, Japan has suspended the transport of vegetables from the four prefectures severely affected by operations to cool down the Fukushima nuclear facility.

Tap Water: No Good for Children

The deepening radiation problem in Japan also prompted authorities to issue an advisory: Infants and toddlers should not be given tap water as the increased levels of iodine can cause them harm.

"We will explain to countries the facts and we hope they will take logical measures based on them," Japan's chief cabinet secretary Yukio Edano, who has been the government's public face during the disaster, told a news conference today.

Workers comprised of the nuclear plant staff, civilian volunteers, and members of the Fire Brigade in the town of Fukushima are still trying to stabilise the Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Facility by restoring power and cooling its reactors with seawater forcing some of the radiation to pour into the open seas.

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