India sends anti-radiation drugs to Indonesia after Cesium-137 contamination scare
India has sent a consignment of Prussian Blue (Pru-Decorp) capsules to Indonesia following the detection of Cesium-137 contamination in food products, reports 24brussels. The Indian Embassy in Jakarta mobilized the delivery in response to a request from Indonesia’s Ministry of Health, aiming to mitigate the effects of the contamination.
Indian Ambassador Sandeep Chakravorty handed the capsules to Indonesian officials on Wednesday, emphasizing India’s role as a regional first responder in humanitarian crises. The Indian Embassy noted that the capsules would assist Indonesia in managing potential nuclear or radiological emergencies, particularly concerning the Cesium-137 contamination.
Gifting of critical Prussian Blue Capsules to Indonesia
On the request of the Ministry of Health of Indonesia, Embassy of India in Jakarta, through @MEAIndia, quickly mobilized urgently required capsules of Prussian Blue (Pru-Decorp) to mitigate the effects of Cesium-137… pic.twitter.com/5kPdyLOJna
— India in Indonesia (@IndianEmbJkt) October 15, 2025
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) characterized this initiative under the hashtag #IndiaFirstResponder, reaffirming India’s dedication to regional cooperation and crisis management. “A consignment of essential medicines to help mitigate radiation exposure following a recent incident has been handed over to Indonesia,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X.
This emergency assistance comes amid several alarming findings in Indonesia, where traces of Cesium-137, a radioactive isotope, were identified at a clove farm on Sumatra Island, prompting a nationwide investigation. The contamination was initially detected in at least 22 facilities located approximately 55 km west of Jakarta, according to CBS.
The investigation was triggered after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported finding Cesium-137 in Indonesian spices and frozen shrimp, which led to product recalls and import restrictions. The FDA identified the radioactive isotope in cloves from PT Natural Java Spice and shrimp exported by PT Bahari Makmur Sejati, resulting in a ban on these companies from exporting to the United States until they can demonstrate their products are free from contamination.
The FDA also announced that imports of shrimp and spices from specific Indonesian regions will now necessitate certification due to the heightened risk of radioactive contamination. To prevent the further spread of this contamination, local authorities have increased inspections and restricted movement in affected areas, CBS News reported.
Long-term exposure to Cesium-137, even at low levels, poses an increased cancer risk, according to the FDA. This isotope is generated during nuclear reactions and is utilized in various industrial, medical, and research applications.
