December 16, 2025 | 10:11 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) released 174 tons of spice products for export to the United States (US) on Monday, 15 December 2025. The exported products were declared free from cesium-137 contamination.
Head of BPOM, Taruna Ikrar, stated that the exported spice products originated from several companies in Indonesia that had previously been on the 'yellow' or 'red list' import alert of the United States authorities. This was due to suspected Cs-137 contamination. Since then, the United States authorities agreed with BPOM to issue cesium-137 free certification for domestic spice products intended for export. BPOM collaborated with the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (Bapeten) to issue the cesium-137 free certificates.
"In addition to Bapeten, technical experts are also available at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). We coordinate with these two institutions. Subsequently, BPOM validates it by issuing the certificate," said Ikrar to the media.
The exported products consisted of 174 tons of cloves and cinnamon, and the release took place at the Tanjung Perak Port in Surabaya.
Ikrar added that the issue of Cs-137 contamination had previously disrupted Indonesia's food exports because the value of Indonesian food exports reached Rp 500 trillion per year.
Now, the Cs-137 contamination issue has been resolved. "We are clear, the products can be sent back to the United States, which means we can also send them to the rest of the world," he said.
Chair of the Diplomacy and Public Communication Division of the Task Force for Handling the Vulnerability to Radiation Hazards of Radionuclide Cs-137 and the At-Risk Population, Bara Krishna Hasibuan, explained that the United States did not completely ban export products, but tightened supervision.
Bara also confirmed that the source of cesium-137 contamination in the Cikande industrial area has been completely handled. "The decontamination in the Cikande industrial area, which was the source of contamination, has been completed," he said.
Now, the government hopes that the tightened supervision can be lifted in the near future, with the aim of returning exports to normal.
Read: Chinese National in Cikande Radioactive Contamination Case Barred from Leaving Indonesia
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Indonesia Launches First 48-Ton Frozen Durian Export to China
16 jam lalu
Indonesia has launched its first frozen durian export to China, shipping 48 tons worth Rp 5.1 billion after nearly two years of preparation.
Purbaya Enacts New Regulation: Maximum Gold Export Duty Set at 15 Percent
5 hari lalu
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has officially issued a new regulation imposing export duties on gold.
Indonesia Eyeing to Earn Rp23 Trillion from Coal, Gold Export Duties
6 hari lalu
The Ministry of Finance plans to implement export duties on gold and coal to cover the state budget deficit.
Indonesian Furniture Industry Seeks Government Backing to Compete Globally
10 hari lalu
The Indonesian Furniture and Craft Industry Association has called on the government to help the furniture industry compete in the global market.
Indonesia's Foreign Exchange Reserves Climb to US$150.1 Billion in November 2025
10 hari lalu
The foreign exchange reserves position stood at US$150.1 billion by the end of November, up from US$149.9 billion the previous month.
Minister Claims US Trust Restored in Indonesian Shrimp Exports
12 hari lalu
The United States remains Indonesia's largest market for shrimp, with the export value reaching around US$1 billion per year.
Indonesia Exports Cesium-137-Free, Certified Shrimp to the US
12 hari lalu
The Indonesian government has allowed the shipment of 182 tons of shrimp to the United States, worth Rp25 billion.
Indonesian Business Actors Urged to Tap Into EU Market After IEU-CEPA Signed
13 hari lalu
Budi said the government will soon conclude the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA).
Indonesia Posts US$2.39 Billion Trade Surplus in October
14 hari lalu
The trade surplus in October is mainly supported by a surplus in non-oil and gas commodities of US$4.31 billion.
Indonesia Manufacturing PMI Hits Highest Record Since February
14 hari lalu
Manufacturing PMI in November reached 53.3, the highest since February 2025 at 53.6.
