For this technical webinar, Dr. Steve Biegalski, Professor and Chair of Nuclear and Radiological Engineering and Medical Physics Program at Georgia Institute of Technology, provided an overview of analytical techniques used to detect Cesium-137 (Cs-137) in food and environmental samples. Dr. Biegalski explained key detection principles, instrumentation options, and data interpretation considerations to help spice industry professionals better understand testing methodologies that may be relevant to ongoing FDA investigations and compliance programs.

This newsletter issue includes Cesium-137 updates, trade deals with Malaysia and Cambodia exempt spices, FDA postponing allergen thresholds meeting, and more.

On October 3, 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it will begin requiring import certifications for shrimp and all spices from certain regions of Indonesia based on the potential risk of contamination with Cesium-137 (Cs-137). This document provides answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding the scope and impact of the new requirements on the spice industry. This is a developing situation, with limited information available at this point. The information in this document is current as of the date on the title page and may be subject to change.

This is on-demand education for spice professionals. ASTA offers a flexible and accessible educational experience, allowing you to access course materials anytime, anywhere. Learn at your own pace and on your own schedule. Each program includes access to recordings, PDF slides, and supplemental resources. Sessions are led by industry experts and cover key topics such as regulatory compliance, food safety, supply chain management, and other essential areas of learning.