FDA Tightens Import Controls for Indonesia After Cesium Positive Testing for Shrimp and Now Cloves

After detecting ceseum 137 in a load of shrimp (which resulted in recalls for shrimp from the Indonesian supplier., PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati ) and then detecting the presence of Cs-137 in one sample of cloves from PT Natural Java Spice, the FDA issued an import alert for chemical contamination. Products from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati and from PT Natural Java Spice and these companies will not be permitted to enter the U.S. market until these firms provide the FDA with information to adequately demonstrate that they have resolved the conditions that gave rise to the appearance of the violations.

Effective October 31, 2025, the agency will require import certification for shrimp and spices from certain regions of Indonesia, based on the risk of potential contamination of the food with Cesium-137.

"At this time, no product that has tested positive or alerted for Cs-137 has entered U.S. commerce. Currently, the FDA has identified that all implicated product is tied to PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati and PT Natural Java Spice, both firms of Indonesia."


https://www.fda.gov/food/environmental-contaminants-food/fda-response-imported-foods-potentially-contaminated-cesium-137
FDA Response to Imported Foods Potentially Contaminated with Cesium-137

The FDA detected the radionuclide Cesium-137 (Cs-137) in early August 2025, in one sample of frozen shrimp from Indonesia. In order to protect consumers, the FDA added the firm PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati to a new import alert (Import Alert # 99-51) for chemical contamination to stop shrimp products from this firm from coming into the U.S. until the firm has resolved the conditions that gave rise to the appearance of the violation. The FDA also issued a safety alert to advise consumers, distributors, and retailers to not eat, sell or serve certain frozen shrimp imported from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati.

As a result of the FDA’s ongoing screening efforts, the FDA detected the presence of Cs-137 in one sample of cloves from PT Natural Java Spice. As such, spice products shipped by the firm PT Natural Java Spice to the U.S. have also been added to the import alert for chemical contamination. Products from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati and from PT Natural Java Spice will not be permitted to enter the U.S. market until these firms provide the FDA with information to adequately demonstrate that they have resolved the conditions that gave rise to the appearance of the violations.

Effective October 31, 2025, the agency will require import certification for shrimp and spices from certain regions of Indonesia, based on the risk of potential contamination of the food with Cesium-137. This represents the first use of this Congressional authority to address ongoing food safety problems while keeping trade flowing for safe products.

Has any product that tested positive or alerted for Cs-137 entered into the U.S. consumer market?

At this time, no product that has tested positive or alerted for Cs-137 has entered U.S. commerce. Currently, the FDA has identified that all implicated product is tied to PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati and PT Natural Java Spice, both firms of Indonesia.

The FDA detected Cs-137 in a shipment of imported frozen shrimp from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati that did not enter U.S. commerce. The level of Cs-137 detected in the detained shipment was approximately 68 Bq/kg, which is below FDA’s Derived Intervention Level for Cs-137 of 1200 Bq/kg. The U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) also alerted the FDA to the detection of Cs-137 in a shipping container at the Los Angeles/Long Beach, CA port. The FDA collected multiple samples for radionuclide analysis, with results confirming the presence of Cs-137 in one sample of cloves at 732.43 Bq/kg. Firms with products that have detectable levels of Cs-137 have been added to Import Alert # 99-51 and their products have been denied entry into the U.S.

The FDA has added PT Natural Java Spice to Import Alert # 99-51 for all spices but has not issued any consumer advice. Should consumers be concerned?

The FDA was notified by CBP of a shipment of cloves from PT Natural Java Spice that alerted for Cs-137. The FDA, in partnership with CBP, took immediate action to protect consumers. The shipment was detained and prevented from entering the U.S. The FDA tested the shipment of cloves and results confirmed the presence of Cs-137 in one sample. No product that has tested positive or alerted for Cs-137 has entered the U.S. marketplace and the FDA has not received any reports of illnesses. The FDA added PT Natural Java Spice to Import Alert #99-51 to prevent any spice product from this company from coming into the U.S until it is in compliance with the FD&C Act. The FDA is continuing to investigate.