OK - Bob pretty much hit it on the nail. The FDA is monitoring the situation, but some milk samples along the west coast are showing very minimal levels of radioactive iodine. As Bob said, the levels are so close to background that they are difficult to detect. As the QA manager for a small Midwest dairy, I can assure you there is absolutely no risk even if you are on the west coast.
In regards to the plates, you are talking to the vintage orange Fiestaware pottery. The glaze that gave it that deep rich orange color used uranium oxide as a pigment, and yes, it was radioactive. Anything that was coated with that glaze is radioactive (Btw, the glowing hands on a 50s vintage watch is also radioactive - that glowing paint is radium). However, that glaze has not been used on Fiestaware since the 50s or early 60s (I don't remember exacty when the line was closed down, but that is the approximate time). Currently produced Fiestaware is fine and is not remotely radioactive. Indeed, it was ONLY the vintage orange that was radioactive - all other colors were fine.
Also, ther is a big difference between exposure to low levels of radioactivity from your environment (such as holding a Fiestaware vintage orange plate or even a dental X-Ray) and ingesting radioactive materials (either eating or breathing them). in the latter case, the radioactive material can be absorbed by your cells and can do damage over time. This is the problem with radioactive iodine - it can be taken up by the thyroid gland and can cause thyroid cancer. BUT, the levels have to be a LOT higher than they are now to cause problems.
