After the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) detected radioactive isotope Cesium-137 (Cs-137) in shrimp imported from Indonesia, as a result of heightened screening efforts, the agency has detected additional Indonesian imports—this time, spices—contaminated with Cs-137.

Specifically, FDA detected Cs-137 in a shipment of imported cloves from Indonesian firm PT Natural Java Spice that did not enter U.S. commerce. The agency was alerted to the issue after U.S. Customs and Border Protection alerted FDA to the detection of Cs-137 in a shipping container at the Los Angeles, California port. FDA then conducted radionuclide analysis and confirming the presence of Cs-137 in one sample of cloves at 732.43 Bq/kg, which is below FDA’s Derived Intervention Level for Cs-137 of 1,200 Bq/kg.

In August 2025, a similar situation occurred with Indonesian imported shrimp sold at Walmart stores, when CBP alerted FDA to potential radioactivity in a shipment, causing the agency to investigate. FDA detected Cs-137 in the detained shipment at approximately 68 becquerels per kilogram (Bq/kg). The shrimp was imported by Indonesian firm PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati (doing business as BMS Foods) and distributed by several U.S. firms. Although the violative shipment did not enter commerce, out of an abundance of caution, a recall of raw and frozen shrimp sold under several brand names, including Walmart’s Great Value, was initiated.

A total of four firms have initiated recalls for potentially radioactive shrimp. Most recently, on September 25, Southwind Foods LLC of Carson, California expanded its original recall, and Lawrence Wholesale LLC of Vernon, California also recalled a limited quantity of Kroger brand shrimp products. On September 19, AquaStar (USA) Corp of Seattle, Washington expanded its original recall to include thousands of pounds (lbs.) of Kroger shrimp and AquaStar brand shrimp. On August 22, Beaver Street Fisheries, LLC of Jacksonville, Florida recalled Great Value shrimp. The recalls affect stores nationwide including Walmart, Kroger, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Pay Less Supermarkets, and other retailers.

Both PT Natural Java Spice and BMS Foods have been added to Import Alert #99-51, and any future shipments of products from these firms will be subject to detention without physical examination, preventing their entrance to the U.S. Products from these firms will not be permitted to enter the U.S. market until they provide FDA with information to adequately demonstrate that they have resolved the conditions that gave rise to the appearance of the violations.

FDA is also working with distributors and retailers that received product from firms included on Import Alert #99-51 after the date of first detection, but from shipments that did not alert for Cs-137, to determine a need for recalls.

Additionally, FDA is working with the Indonesian Marine and Fisheries Quality Assurance Agency (MFQAA), under agencies’ information-sharing agreement, to ensure the safety of imports from Indonesia. The agency has also deployed a variety of surveillance tools, including import entry reviews and sampling at ports, to identify shipments that may pose a health concern.

FDA is continuing to work with CBP, other U.S. federal agencies, and Indonesian authorities to determine the root source of Cs-137 contamination and prevent future shipments of potentially radioactive product from entering the U.S. market.

Cs-137 is a radioisotope of cesium that is human-made through nuclear reactions. Because it is widespread worldwide, trace amounts of Cs-137 can be found in the environment, including soil, food, and air.

Update, October 6, 2025: Reports out of Indonesia suggest the source of Cs-137 contamination found in shrimp is environmental. The cause of cloves contamination is still under investigation.