BPOM Confirms Local Goods Free from Cesium-137 Contamination as Cleanup Expands

Antara
November 12, 2025 | 8:58 pm
SHARE
A worker from the decontamination team uses a radioactive detector on drums stored at the Cikande Industrial Zone in Banten Province, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. The area is under investigation for alleged Cesium-137 contamination from imported scrap metal. (Antara Photo/Angga Budhiyanto)
A worker from the decontamination team uses a radioactive detector on drums stored at the Cikande Industrial Zone in Banten Province, Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. The area is under investigation for alleged Cesium-137 contamination from imported scrap metal. (Antara Photo/Angga Budhiyanto)

Jakarta. Indonesia’s Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) confirmed that no radioactive Cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination has been detected in food products circulating in the domestic market, following recent reports of contamination in several export goods.

“So far, none has been found,” said BPOM’s Deputy for Processed Food Supervision, Elin Herlina, in Jakarta on Wednesday, as quoted by state news agency Antara.

Elin said BPOM continues to conduct regular sampling and testing to ensure the safety, quality, and composition of locally distributed products. The agency is also working with the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) to detect potential radioactive contamination and is expanding its laboratory capabilities to speed up radioactive testing.

“This will allow more options to accelerate the testing process,” she said.

ADVERTISEMENT

The clarification comes as the Indonesian government intensifies efforts to contain the spread of Cesium-137 contamination that was first detected in exported goods, including shrimp, cloves, and footwear shipped to the United States and the Netherlands.

Bara Krishna Hasibuan, Head of Diplomacy and Communication at the Cs-137 Task Force, said authorities have been working to ensure that the contamination does not spread further. He explained that the incident was caused by an accidental airborne release from PT PMT, a company handling industrial materials.

“This was purely an accident. The Cs-137 contamination spread through the air from PT PMT’s facility,” Bara said.

Earlier, the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) had issued an import alert 99-51 on Indonesian shrimp following the discovery of Cs-137 radiation. Prior to that, Dutch customs authorities reported similar contamination in Indonesian-made sneakers. Radiation experts from the Netherlands’ nuclear safety authority (ANVS) confirmed exposure levels of up to 110 nanoSieverts per hour—five times the normal background radiation of 20 nanoSieverts per hour.

The Industry Ministry said that 22 production facilities within the Modern Cikande Industrial Estate (MCIE) in Serang, Banten, have completed decontamination procedures, while cleanup continues at seven additional sites outside the area. The decontamination effort is led by the Cs-137 Radiation Hazard Task Force in collaboration with BRIN, the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (Bapeten), and law enforcement authorities.

According to Setia Diarta, a director general at the ministry, 24 companies across various sectors have been identified as potentially affected by Cesium-137 exposure. These range from steel foundries and hazardous waste management firms to footwear and food producers, including Nikomas Gemilang and Charoen Pokphand Indonesia (CPIN).

“Based on the latest coordination meeting, 22 locations have been decontaminated, and the process was expected to be completed by the end of October,” Diarta told lawmakers during a parliamentary hearing on Monday.

Authorities have mapped the affected industrial area and listed the companies under investigation, including major players in metals, manufacturing, and food processing. The government reiterated that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safety of domestic and export products.

Tags: Keywords:
SHARE

Related Articles


Business Apr 30, 2026 | 11:10 pm

Indonesia Eases Local Content Certification for Small Industries

Indonesia makes local content certification free and simpler for small industries to boost access to government procurement.
Business Apr 27, 2026 | 5:27 pm

Indonesia Resumes Shrimp Exports to US, Ships 3,400 Containers

Indonesia resumes shrimp exports to the US, shipping 3,400 containers worth Rp11 trillion after tightening safety standards.
Business Apr 10, 2026 | 1:57 pm

Government Readies Electric Vehicle Industry Roadmap as Prabowo Pushes Transition

The government is preparing a roadmap to accelerate electric vehicle adoption and build a stronger domestic EV industry.

The Latest


News 8 hours ago

Dear Mr. President, Don’t Skip ASEAN Summits

Despite calls for Prabowo to stay home, the Indonesian leader still needs to attend ASEAN summits.
Business 9 hours ago

PLN Rushes Coal Supplies After Power Outages Hit Java

PLN is rushing to secure coal supplies after shortages triggered rolling blackouts across Java, disrupting businesses and daily life.
Business 13 hours ago

Japan-Backed ADB Invests in Indonesia’s Human Capital

As many as 399 Indonesian awardees have joined the ADB-Japan Scholarship Program from 1988 to 2024.
Business 13 hours ago

Indonesian Stocks Rise Despite Foreign Outflows as MSCI Review Looms

Indonesia's JCI rose 2.8% as easing geopolitical tensions offset foreign outflows, MSCI concerns and rupiah pressures.
News 14 hours ago

World Cup 2026: Paraguay Holds Off Turkey With 10 Men to Keep Knockout Hopes Alive

Matias Galarza scored after 65 seconds as 10-man Paraguay beat Turkey 1-0, eliminating the Turks and securing first place for the US.
COPYRIGHT © 2026 JAKARTA GLOBE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED