Indonesia Finds Radiation at Clove Farm Amid Cesium-137 Contamination Investigation
Jakarta, Indonesia – October 17, 2023 – Indonesian authorities have detected traces of radioactivity at a clove farm in Lampung, Sumatra, as part of an investigation triggered by the discovery of Cesium-137 contamination in shrimp and spices exported to the united states. The finding follows earlier detections of the radioactive isotope in at least 22 facilities at the Cikande industrial estate, approximately 35 miles west of Jakarta, and in a sample of frozen shrimp from Indonesia in August.
The Indonesian government launched a probe, dispatching inspection teams to processing facilities and farms on Java and Sumatra islands. Task force spokesperson Bara Hasibuan told AFP on Tuesday that while radioactivity was only found at the clove farm, the government has temporarily banned the farm from selling its cloves pending further investigation.
“Until there is a conclusive finding, we requested that the cloves from the farm are not being sold,” Bara said, adding that Indonesia’s Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (Bapeten) is currently testing samples from the farm to determine the source of the contamination. “we must determine the source, how come the cloves there are contaminated.”
The initial contamination concerns arose after the U.S. Food and Drug Management (FDA) issued a recall in August for shrimp exported by PT bahari Makmur Sejati after Cesium-137 was detected. The FDA has since banned products from two Indonesian companies until they can demonstrate resolution of the contamination issues.
Effective late October, the FDA will require import certification for shrimp and spices from certain regions of Indonesia due to the risk of Cesium-137 contamination.the agency stated this is the first time it has utilized this authority to address ongoing food safety concerns while maintaining trade for safe products.
The FDA has also suspended imports of scrap iron and steel, believed to be the source of the contamination, until a monitoring system for radioactive materials is “fully strengthened,” according to environment minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq in an Instagram post.
Cesium-137, created through nuclear reactions, has various industrial, medical, and research applications. The FDA notes that long-term exposure to even low doses of Cesium-137 is linked to an increased risk of cancer.
