MINAMISOMA, Japan - Japanese agricultural officials say meat from more than 500 cattle that was likely contaminated with radioactive cesium has made its way to supermarkets and restaurants across the country in recent weeks. Officials say the cattle ate hay that had been stored outside and exposed to radiation from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which was rocked by explosions after the March tsunami.

The revelations intensified food safety concerns in Japan, underscoring the government's inability to control the spread of radioactive material into the nation's food.

Contaminated hay has been found at farms more than 140 kilometres from the Fukushima Daiichi plant, suggesting that the radioactive fallout has reached a wider area than first suspected.

internet site reference: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/sunday/2011-07/31/content_13017321.htm