Radioactive Cesium 137 Traces Found at Indonesian Plantation

Jakarta, Oct 15 (AP) Indonesia has discovered traces of radioactive cesium 137 at a clove plantation as part of an ongoing investigation into the source of radioactive contamination. This contamination previously led to the recall of shrimp and spices shipped to the US, according to a task force leading the inquiry. Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration barred all spices from PT Natural Java Spice of Indonesia from entering the US. This action followed the detection of cesium 137 in a shipment of cloves that arrived in California.

This incident marks the second time this year that Indonesian food products have faced recalls due to radioactive contamination, after shrimp from a different Indonesian company were pulled from sale in August. The contamination was identified at a clove plantation located in Lampung province. Additionally, the task force examined clove processing facilities in Surabaya, East Java province, and another plantation in Central Java, in collaboration with Indonesia's Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency.

“The contamination has been confirmed at plantations in Lampung. However, it appears limited in scope and does not seem to have spread to other regions or products,” Bara Hasibuan, the task force’s spokesperson, announced in a statement. The nuclear regulatory authority has advised a temporary suspension of sales for the affected clove products, pending further laboratory analyses, while efforts are underway to identify the contamination source.

“The government is acting swiftly to contain this contamination to prevent its spread. We urge the public and businesses to remain composed and await the release of official lab results,” Hasibuan stated. Previously, the task force had linked shrimp contamination to a steel factory nearby the PT Bahari Makmuri Sejati shrimp processing facility, a major exporter to the US.

Nuclear radiation experts maintain that health risks are minimal due to the low levels of radioactivity detected, but emphasize the need to identify and publicize the contamination source. (AP) GRS GRS

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