Archive · 27 Sep 2025
FDA: Radioactive Spices & Shrimp Imports Face Scrutiny
Imagine tiny, invisible specks that can make you sick over time.
The FDA found some of these in shrimp and spices from Indonesia!
These specks are called Cesium 137 and are like leftovers from nuclear reactions.
One company's shrimp and another company's cloves were found to have it.
The FDA is checking all the shrimp and cloves now.
The risk is small, but the FDA wants to keep people safe.
They're still figuring out where the specks came from.
They're also telling people to not eat any shrimp that have been recalled.
Scientists think it might come from old equipment or even the containers used to ship it!
FDA found radioactive Cesium 137 in imported shrimp and cloves from Indonesia.
Shrimp from PT Bahari Makmuri Sejati (BMS) has triggered import alerts and recalls.
Cloves from PT Natural Java Spice also tested positive for the contaminant.
The source of the contamination is under investigation.
The detected levels of contamination are low but could be a potential health concern.
- Who
- FDA and CBP officials, two Indonesian companies, consumers.
- What
- Cesium 137 contamination found in imported shrimp and cloves from Indonesia.
- When
- Import alerts and recalls this year; Contamination detected recently.
- Where
- U.S. ports and stores; Indonesia (source of products).
- Why
- Unknown source of contamination, investigation ongoing.
- Contaminant
- Cesium 137 (radioactive isotope)
- Products Affected
- Shrimp, cloves
- Origin
- Indonesia
- Shrimp Importer
- PT Bahari Makmuri Sejati
- Shrimp Volume
- ~84 million pounds imported to U.S. this year
- Spice Importer
- PT Natural Java Spice
- Spice Volume
- ~440,000 pounds of cloves imported to U.S. this year