Indonesia’s Radionuclide-Free Shrimp Exports Surge to the US
According to Indonesia’s Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), the country’s certified radionuclide-free shrimp exports to the United States have exceeded 300 containers since the implementation of Import Alert #99-52 by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on October 31. This alert was prompted by the detection of cesium-137 (Cs-137) contamination in certain shrimp shipments from Indonesia.
Bahari Makmur Sejati (BMS), the largest shrimp exporter from Indonesia to the US, faced significant repercussions when its shrimp were found to be contaminated with Cs-137. The company was placed on the FDA’s “red list,” necessitating a thorough end-to-end audit by an FDA-approved third party to regain its standing on the “yellow list,” as reported by Undercurrent News.
Compliance and Certification Efforts
In response to the FDA’s alert, all Indonesian packers operating out of Lampung and Java were required to meet stringent standards, ensuring their shrimp were certified as radiation-free. The first certified shrimp shipments departed from Jakarta on October 31. By December 3, a total of 313 containers, weighing 5,400 metric tons and valued at $56.68 million, had successfully reached the US.
Additionally, an extra 79 containers, valued at $14.58 million, are set to receive certification from Indonesia’s Marine and Fisheries Quality Assurance Agency (MFQAA), which operates under the guidance of the fisheries ministry’s Badan Mutu. These shipments are scheduled to be sent between December 4 and 6.
Strengthening Quality Assurance
“This sends a strong message that Indonesia is capable of meeting global standards and continues to strengthen its quality assurance system from upstream to downstream,” remarked Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Food, Zulkifli Hasan. “Any problems we encounter will be addressed quickly.”
As Indonesia works to assure the safety and quality of its shrimp exports, the country’s commitment to adhering to international regulations paves the way for continued trade with the United States and improvements in its food safety framework.
