The federal regulatory authorities have identified possible radioactive contamination in the second food product sent from the US from Indonesia, even when memories of potentially damaged shrimp continue to grow. This discovery adds questions about the source of an unusual problem.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration officials blocked the import of all spices from the Indonesian Java Java spice last week after the federal inspectors discovered Cezium 137 to California.
It follows August. Import alert for Pt Bahar Macmuri Sejati, or BMS Foods, which sends millions of pounds of shrimp in the US each year.
Here’s what you need to know about the possible contamination of Cesium 137:
What is Cesium 137?
Cezium 137 is a radioactive isotope designed as a by -product of nuclear reactions, including nuclear bombs, tests, reactor operations and accidents. It is widespread worldwide with traces in the environment, including soil, food and air.
What did US officials find?
US Customs and Border Guard officers found Cezium 137 shrimp in containers sent by PT Bahar Makmur Sejati to several US ports. CBP officials noted the possible FDA contamination in which shrimp samples were examined and found in Cesium 137 in a sample of fried shrimp.
According to Import Genius, this year, the company sent about £ 84 million (38 million kilograms) to the US ports this year. It supplies about 6% of foreign shrimp imported in the US
This month, FDA officials discovered Cezium 137 in one example of a clove exported by PT Natural Java Spice, which sends spices to the United States and other countries. The records show that this year the US has sent around £ 440,000 (200,000 kilograms) to the US.
What is the risk to health?
US officials emphasized that no food had been released that activated warnings or tested positive, was not released.
However, hundreds of thousands of packaging imported frozen shrimp sold in Krogere and other grocery stores throughout the US were remembered because they could be manufactured under conditions that allowed them to be contaminated, the agency said.
Although the risk seems to be low, foods can cause “possible concern” to people who over time Cesio 137 are low.
The level of contamination detected is much lower than the level that can cause health care, but the long -term effect may increase the risk of certain cancers.
Where did the contamination come from?
It is unclear whether there is a common source of shrimp and spice contamination. FDA and CBP officials said their investigations were ongoing. Two processing facilities in Indonesia seem to be around 500 miles (800 kilometers).
According to the International Nuclear Energy Agency, contaminated metal scrap or melted metal in an industrial location near the shrimp recycling plant in Indonesia may be a source of radioactive material. Indonesian nuclear regulators said they found a radioactive isotope located outside Jakarta.
It is possible that this type of contamination may come from the processing of old medical equipment, which contained Cesium 137, according to Steve Biegalski, an expert at the Nuclear Medical Institute of the Georgian Technology Institute.
He said contaminated transport containers or transportation methods such as trucks, boats or common materials can also be a source.
What should consumers do?
So far, consumers should avoid eating or serving shrimp to remember the possible contamination of Cesium 137, the FDA said.
So far, four firms since August. Published shrimp, including those listed here.