U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently detained several international food shipping containers at major U.S. ports after detecting unusual levels of cesium-137, a radioactive isotope. The discovery was made using advanced nonintrusive inspection equipment and dedicated radiation detection systems. CBP’s Laboratories and Scientific Services played a role in identifying the radioactive material, preventing the contaminated products from entering the United States.
"CBP and our partners are on the front lines ensuring that our imported food and other supplies are safe for American consumers,” said CBP Acting Executive Assistant Commissioner Diane J. Sabatino. "By leveraging our expert CBP professionals, advanced detection technologies, and close collaboration with the FDA, we are protecting public health and maintaining the integrity of the U.S. supply chain."
Cesium-137 is a man-made radioisotope produced through nuclear reactions and is used in various industrial, medical, and research applications. While trace amounts can be found naturally in soil, food, and air, higher concentrations pose health concerns.
Following these findings by CBP officers at ports including Los Angeles, Long Beach, Houston, Savannah, Norfolk, Elizabeth, and Miami—with the first incident reported at the Port of Los Angeles—the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a food safety alert regarding certain frozen shrimp products imported from PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati of Indonesia. The FDA advised against eating or selling these products while it investigates reports of cesium-137 contamination.
According to information from Indonesian authorities cited by CBP, an accident outside PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati’s direct control is believed to have caused the contamination; details remain under investigation.
The FDA stated that although detected levels of cesium-137 do not present an immediate hazard to consumers, repeated exposure over time could increase cancer risk due to potential DNA damage in living cells.
In response to these events, PT. Bahari Makmur Sejati has been added to Import Alert 99-51 for chemical contamination violations under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. This action aims to prevent adulterated shrimp products from entering U.S. commerce until corrective measures are taken.
CBP continues to work with other U.S. authorities to ensure food safety by coordinating with the FDA to block contaminated imports from reaching consumers.
