On October 15, 2025, Indonesian authorities announced the discovery of traces of radioactive Cesium-137 at a clove plantation in Lampung province, Sumatra, igniting concerns about the safety of exported spices and shrimp. The revelation came as part of an expanding investigation into radioactive contamination that has already led to recalls of Indonesian food products in the United States, prompting swift action from regulators in both countries and intensifying scrutiny of Indonesia’s agricultural and industrial supply chains.
The first alarms sounded in August 2025, when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) detected Cesium-137 in a shipment of frozen shrimp exported from Indonesia by PT Bahari Makmur Sejati. According to the FDA, the radioactive isotope was discovered during routine screening, and the contaminated shrimp had been processed near the Cikande industrial estate, a sprawling manufacturing zone about 60 kilometers west of Jakarta. The FDA quickly issued a recall and temporarily banned imports from the company, citing the health risks associated with long-term exposure to Cesium-137, which is linked to an elevated risk of cancer.
Just weeks later, the FDA again detected Cesium-137—this time in a shipment of cloves sent to California by PT Natural Java Spice. As reported by the Associated Press, this marked the second food product from Indonesia to be recalled for radioactive contamination in 2025. The FDA responded by blocking all spice imports processed by PT Natural Java Spice in September, pending further investigation. The agency also announced that, starting in late October, shrimp and spices from certain Indonesian regions would require import certification to mitigate the risk of further contamination.
The Indonesian government, facing growing international scrutiny, launched a comprehensive investigation. A special task force was assembled, comprising officials from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture, and Indonesia’s Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (Bapeten). Inspection teams were dispatched to processing facilities in Surabaya, East Java, and to plantations in Central Java and Lampung, Sumatra. Task force spokesperson Bara Hasibuan confirmed, "We can confirm that contamination has been found on plantations in Lampung. The contamination was found in limited quantities and has not spread to other areas or commodities."
In response to the findings, the government immediately banned the affected clove farm in Lampung from selling its products as a preventive measure. "Until there is a conclusive finding, we requested that the cloves from the farm are not being sold," Bara Hasibuan explained, adding that Bapeten was conducting rigorous laboratory testing of samples from the farm. The nuclear agency also recommended a temporary halt to the sale of contaminated clove products pending further results, and the government moved quickly to localize the contamination and prevent its spread.
The investigation soon uncovered a broader pattern of radioactive contamination. According to AFP, authorities detected traces of Cesium-137 at no fewer than 22 facilities within the Cikande industrial estate. In Sukatani, Banten province, a warning sticker labeled "Danger Radiation" and showing a reading of 23.9 microsieverts per hour was posted outside a kiosk near the industrial zone, underscoring the seriousness of the situation. The government responded by tightening restrictions in the area and conducting vehicle inspections for potential radioactive contamination.
To address the possible source of the radioactive material, Indonesia suspended imports of scrap iron and steel—materials often recycled in industrial estates—until a more robust monitoring system for radioactive materials could be implemented. Environment Minister Hanif Faisol Nurofiq stated on Instagram that these measures would remain in place until the monitoring system was "fully strengthened." The earlier shrimp contamination, investigators found, had been traced to a steel factory in the Cikande industrial estate, located about two miles from the PT Bahari Makmur Sejati shrimp processing facility.
While the health risks to the public remain a concern, experts have emphasized that the levels of radioactivity detected in the affected food products are very low. As reported by Associated Press and AFP, nuclear radiation specialists agree that the immediate health risk is minimal. "Experts say health risks are low due to very low levels of radioactivity but emphasize importance of identifying contamination source and public transparency," noted AP. Nevertheless, the presence of Cesium-137—a radioactive isotope produced in nuclear reactions and used in various industrial, medical, and research applications—has alarmed both regulators and consumers.
Long-term exposure to even low doses of Cesium-137 is linked to an elevated risk of cancer, according to the FDA. The agency’s actions, including the recall of contaminated products and the imposition of stricter import requirements, reflect the seriousness with which U.S. authorities view the potential health impacts. Meanwhile, the Indonesian government has prioritized transparency and public communication. "The government is moving quickly to localize this contamination so that it does not spread to other areas. The public and businesses are advised to remain calm and wait for the official laboratory test results," Bara Hasibuan said in a written statement.
For Indonesian exporters, the fallout has been immediate. The FDA has banned products from both PT Natural Java Spice and PT Bahari Makmur Sejati until the companies can demonstrate that contamination issues have been fully resolved. The economic ramifications are significant, as Indonesia is a major supplier of shrimp and spices to global markets, particularly the United States. The recalls and import bans threaten to disrupt supply chains and damage the reputation of Indonesian food products abroad.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on determining the precise source and mechanism of the Cesium-137 contamination. Authorities are scrutinizing not only the affected farms and processing facilities but also the broader industrial ecosystem, including the handling and recycling of scrap metals that may harbor radioactive residues. The government’s decision to suspend scrap metal imports and to require new certifications for food exports underscores the complexity of the challenge.
For now, the message from both Indonesian and U.S. officials is one of vigilance and caution. The contamination has so far been localized, and additional safeguards are being put in place to prevent further incidents. However, the episode serves as a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of global food supply chains and the importance of robust safety monitoring, especially in an era of rapid industrialization and cross-border trade.
As laboratory results are awaited and new regulations are rolled out, Indonesian authorities are urging calm and patience. The coming weeks will be critical in determining not only the source of the contamination but also the long-term measures needed to restore confidence in the safety of Indonesian food exports.