Irrational salt buying

It is absolutely right and timely for the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) to issue a notice on Thursday to calm the panic buying of salt and salt-related foods because of residents' fears that the nuclear crisis in Japan will contaminate the salt they eat.

With the public's concern escalating about the worsening nuclear situation in Japan, some Chinese residents are worrying about the impact the radiation leaks from the crippled nuclear reactors will have on their lives.

Some people have rushed to supermarkets to buy packs of iodized salt, as they believe the iodine contained in the salt may help prevent radiation poisoning or because they believe that the salt produced from contaminated seawater will be unsafe to eat. This explains the panic buying that has taken place in some places along the coast.