Radioactive trace measurements of some exported foods from the South of Brazil

Investigation of radioactive traces in foods produced and exported mainly in Paraná State, Brazil, was carried out by gamma-ray spectrometry, a non-destructive nuclear method. The redistribution of 40K concentration during the processing of soy (Glycine max) primary products (745±9 Bq kg−1 for soybean, 1473±15 Bq kg−1 for soy bran, and ⩽8.8 Bq kg−1 for commercial refined soy oil) was verified. The 40K activity for all oil stages analyzed was lower than the limits of detection. Others foods such as sulfite-treated sugar, mate tea, and mint were analyzed. The activities for the natural nuclear chain (228Th and 226Ra) and the 137Cs (artificial radionuclide) were presented.