US FDA finds radioactive contamination in spices after shrimp recall |

The US FDA has halted Indonesian spice imports after detecting radioactive cesium 137 in cloves, following earlier massive shrimp recalls. This contamination, a byproduct of nuclear reactions, has raised health concerns despite low levels found. While no contaminated food reached consumers, extensive shrimp recalls are underway. The FDA advises avoiding affected products due to potential long-term health risks. While detected levels are low, long-term exposure may increase cancer risk. Investigations into possible industrial or transport-related contamination are ongoing.

After massive shrimp recalls, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has detected radioactive contamination in spices. The federal agency detected possible radioactive contamination in a second food product sent to the United States from Indonesia, after the shrimp.As questions about the source of the contamination arise, the FDA has blocked the import of all spices from PT Natural Java Spice of Indonesia. Federal regulators have detected cesium 137, a radioactive substance, in a shipment of cloves sent to California.This comes soon after the import alert imposed in August on the company PT Bahari Makmuri Sejati, or BMS Foods, which sends millions of pounds of shrimp to the US each year. Here’s everything you need to know about why the FDA blocked the import of spices from PT Natural Java Spice of Indonesia.

Cesium 137 is a radioactive isotope, formed as a byproduct of nuclear reactions, including nuclear bombs, testing, reactor operations, and accidents. This radioactive isotope is widespread globally, and its trace amounts are found in the environment, including soil, food, and air.The shrimp recall was initiated after the US Customs and Border Protection officials detected cesium 137 in the shipping containers of shrimp sent by PT Bahari Makmur Sejati to several US ports. The officials informed the FDA about the potential contamination, and upon testing the samples of the shrimp, they found traces of cesium 137 in one sample of breaded shrimp.According to the data from Import Genius, a trade data analysis company, this company has sent about 84 million pounds (38 million kilograms) of shrimp to U.S. ports this year. This constitutes about 6% of foreign shrimp imported in the US.

Following the shrimp recall, this month, the FDA found cesium 137 in one sample of cloves exported by PT Natural Java Spice, the company that imports spices to the US and other countries. As per the records, this company sent about 440,000 pounds ( 200,000 kilograms) of cloves to the U.S. this year.

The FDA has confirmed that no food that triggered alerts or tested positive has been released for sale in the US. However, hundreds of thousands of packages of shrimp sold at Kroger and other grocery stores across the US have been recalled, as they may have been manufactured under conditions that allowed them to be contaminated.

While the risk seems minimal, prolonged exposure to low levels of cesium 137 in these foods could present a ‘potential health concern’. Though the levels of contamination detected are far below the level of concern, long-time exposure could still raise the risk of certain types of cancer.What should you do?The FDA has advised to avoid eating or serving the shrimp recalled due to cesium 137 contamination. Here is a list of the recalls of shrimp since August. 1. Aug. 21, 2025: Southwind Foods, LLC Recall2. Aug. 22, 2025: Beaver Street Fisheries, LLC Recall3. Aug. 27, 2025: AquaStar (USA) Corp Recall – Kroger Brand4. Aug. 28, 2025: AquaStar (USA) Corp Recall – Aqua Star Brand5. Aug. 29, 2025: Southwind Foods, LLC Recall – Expansion of original recall6. Sept. 19, 2025: AquaStar (USA) Corp Recall – Expansion of original recall7. Sept. 23, 2025: Southwind Foods, LLC Recall – Expansion of original recall8. Sept. 23, 2025: Lawrence Wholesale, LLC Recall – Kroger Brand(With inputs from AP)