Federal regulators have recently discovered possible radioactive contamination in another food product imported from Indonesia. This follows ongoing recalls of shrimp that may be contaminated with cesium-137.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has halted imports of spices from PT Natural Java Spice after they found cesium-137 in a shipment of cloves intended for California. This comes after an alert on PT Bahari Makmur Sejati, a company sending vast amounts of shrimp to the U.S.
What is Cesium-137?
Cesium-137 is a radioactive isotope that can originate from nuclear activities, including bomb testing and reactor operations. While it’s found in trace amounts in many places, including food and air, its presence in imported products raises alarms.
In recent inspections, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) identified cesium-137 in shrimp shipments. The FDA’s testing confirmed contamination in a sample of breaded shrimp. This year, PT Bahari Makmur Sejati has sent around 84 million pounds of shrimp to the U.S., covering about 6% of total foreign shrimp imports.
Moreover, FDA officials detected cesium-137 in cloves from PT Natural Java Spice, which has exported around 440,000 pounds to the U.S. this year. Thankfully, no contaminated food has reached store shelves, but there have been widespread recalls of frozen shrimp sold at major grocery chains like Kroger.
Health Concerns
While testing levels are below major health risk thresholds, prolonged exposure to cesium-137 can potentially increase cancer risks. Although experts like Steve Biegalski from Georgia Tech suggest that the contamination may stem from recycling processes involving old medical equipment, further investigations are underway to pinpoint exact sources.
Investigations and Recall Status
Both the FDA and CBP are still exploring whether there’s a shared source of contamination for the shrimp and spices. The facilities involved are located about 500 miles apart in Indonesia. Reports suggest that contaminated scrap metal near shrimp processing sites may be linked to the issue.
Currently, consumers are advised to avoid any recalled shrimp. Since August, four companies have issued recalls due to potential contamination. Here are some details:
- Aug. 21, 2025: Southwind Foods, LLC Recall
- Aug. 22, 2025: Beaver Street Fisheries, LLC Recall
- Aug. 27, 2025: AquaStar (USA) Corp Recall – Kroger Brand
- Aug. 28, 2025: AquaStar (USA) Corp Recall – Aqua Star Brand
For further context, cesium-137 has a half-life of about 30 years, meaning it can persist in the environment for a long time, which raises ongoing concerns about food safety.
Conclusion
While the current contamination risk seems low, authorities are taking this matter seriously. Consumers should remain vigilant, especially regarding imported shrimp and spices. As investigations continue, both the FDA and CBP are working to ensure the safety of the food supply. For more information, you can visit the FDA’s recall page.
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Business, Government regulations, Pollution, Health, Climate and environment, Food safety, Article, 125977394
