Indonesian authorities have detected traces of radioactive Cesium-137 at a clove farm in Lampung province on Sumatra island, marking a significant expansion of an ongoing probe into environmental contamination. This discovery follows initial alerts from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regarding Cesium-137 in imported Indonesian shrimp and spices, prompting a nationwide investigation into potential sources of the radioactive isotope. The contamination has raised concerns about food safety, export disruptions, and public health, though officials emphasize that detected levels pose minimal immediate risks but could contribute to long-term cancer risks with prolonged exposure.
The issue first came to light in early August 2025 when U.S. Customs and Border Protection flagged shipping containers for potential radioactivity at ports including Los Angeles and Long Beach. Subsequent FDA testing confirmed Cesium-137 in frozen shrimp from PT Bahari Makmur Sejati, leading to recalls of products that may have been distributed, though none entered U.S. commerce after detection. The agency reported activity levels around 68 Bq/kg, comparable to natural radiation in some foods but unusual due to Cesium-137's man-made origins from nuclear fission.
Heightened surveillance soon revealed similar contamination in a shipment of cloves from PT Natural Java Spice, with levels up to 732 Bq/kg—still below the FDA's Derived Intervention Level of 1,200 Bq/kg. No contaminated products entered U.S. commerce, but the FDA issued import alerts banning goods from both companies until remediation is proven. Starting October 31, 2025, shrimp and spices from at-risk Indonesian regions, including the island of Java and Lampung province on Sumatra, will require import certification to verify Cesium-137 absence.
In response, Indonesia formed a multi-agency task force, including the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (Bapeten) and the Environment Ministry, to trace the source. Initial inspections focused on the Cikande industrial estate in Banten province, about 60 km west of Jakarta, where Cesium-137 was found at 22 production facilities. Radiation scans identified hotspots, including slag piles from metal processing, leading to site lockdowns and vehicle inspections.
The probe expanded after no contamination was found at PT Natural Java Spice's processing plant on Java, shifting attention to supply chains. Teams inspected farms, and on October 14, 2025, traces were confirmed at a clove plantation in Lampung, Sumatra, with contamination limited and not spread to other areas or commodities. Sales from the farm have been halted pending further tests, with officials stating the contamination appears isolated. No radioactivity was detected at a Java farm or other sites inspected.
Health screenings of 1,562 workers and residents near Cikande revealed nine individuals with Cesium-137 exposure, now receiving treatment with Prussian blue at a Jakarta hospital. They show no symptoms, and mass evacuations are deemed unnecessary outside secured areas, though some residents in highly contaminated zones have been relocated. Decontamination efforts include fencing hotspots and planting sunflowers, which absorb Cesium-137 from soil.
Investigators have linked the shrimp contamination to environmental factors in Cikande, specifically PT Peter Metal Technology, a stainless steel smelting plant less than 2 km from PT Bahari Makmur Sejati. Cesium-137 likely entered the atmosphere during smelting of contaminated scrap metal, spreading via wind and contaminating nearby facilities and products. Authorities identified contaminated scrap containers potentially from overseas, leading to a suspension of scrap iron and steel imports until monitoring systems are strengthened.
The clove farm contamination's source remains under investigation, but task force spokesperson Bara Hasibuan noted it traces back to the Lampung plantation itself, not processing. Cesium-137, with a 30-year half-life, mimics potassium in plants and can accumulate in food chains, potentially from soil or water uptake.
While official findings point to accidental contamination, conjecture abounds regarding how Cesium-137 entered the supply chain. Experts suggest it originates from improperly recycled medical or industrial devices, such as radiation gauges or cancer treatment equipment, melted down in scrap. This is a recurring global issue, as seen in past incidents like the 1987 Goiânia accident in Brazil, where scavenged Cesium-137 caused widespread harm. Motives likely stem from negligence rather than malice: cost-cutting in waste disposal by exporters in countries like the Philippines, where radioactive materials are illegally mixed into scrap to avoid expensive decommissioning.
Speculatively, this could involve organized dumping to evade regulations, profiting from lax oversight in developing nations. For the clove farm, airborne deposition from distant sources or contaminated fertilizers/irrigation water is possible, though unlikely intentional, given the farm's distance over 400 miles from Cikande. Some online discussions raise sabotage concerns, but evidence supports supply chain failures. Without stricter global tracking, such incidents may recur, driven by economic incentives over safety.
The scandal has disrupted Indonesia's exports, with the U.S. and Indonesia discussing certification protocols. Locally, police are probing Cikande for criminal negligence. Public reaction on social media highlights fears, with calls for transparency and comparisons to Chernobyl-like risks, though experts clarify the low doses.
Indonesia is collaborating with the International Atomic Energy Agency for expertise. Long-term, this underscores the need for enhanced radiation monitoring in recycling and agriculture to protect public health and trade.
As the investigation continues, the Lampung farm detection highlights the far-reaching impacts of radioactive contamination. While risks remain low, the incident serves as a wake-up call for global supply chain vigilance. Indonesian officials assure the public of contained threats, but full resolution depends on pinpointing and eliminating all sources.
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