Extremely small amounts of radioactive isotope iodine-131 had been found on the surface of spinach in Beijing, Tianjin and Henan, according to China's National Nuclear Emergency Coordination Committee Wednesday.

However, the amount is only one thousandth to three thousandth of legal limit stipulated in China's national radiation safety standard, said a daily statement issued by China's National Nuclear Emergency Coordination Committee.

The results are based on a radiation check conducted on Tuesday, the statement said.

The Ministry of Health also issued a statement Wednesday evening, saying trace levels of radioactive isotope iodine-131 had been found in the spinach planted in the open air in Beijing and Tianjin

Trace levels of iodine-131 was also detected in samples of shepherd's purse planted in the open air in Beijing, the Health Ministry said.