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2w ago

FDA Blocks Indonesian Clove Shipment Over Cesium-137, Puts Two Exporters on Import Alert

Despite low readings, officials escalate screening and source tracing.

STOCK IMAGE: Different spices and nuts on gray table, top view
FILE: On Thursday, FDA officials said they found radioactive cloves imported from Indonesia and blocked a shipment from entering a California port.
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Overview

  • U.S. Customs and Border Protection flagged radiation at the Port of Long Beach and FDA testing confirmed cesium-137 in one cloves sample from PT Natural Java Spice at 732.43 Bq/kg, below the 1,200 Bq/kg intervention level.
  • The contaminated cloves shipment was detained and prevented from entering U.S. commerce, and authorities report no illnesses.
  • PT Natural Java Spice and shrimp processor PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati remain on Import Alert #99-51, blocking entry until they prove corrective actions to eliminate contamination risks.
  • The FDA continues enhanced screening of Indonesian shipments at major ports, including Los Angeles/Long Beach, Houston, Miami, and Savannah.
  • Investigators are working with Indonesian regulators, and the IAEA has been reported by the AP as examining a possible industrial source near a shrimp facility, a lead that remains under review.