Indonesia radioactive contamination: The US Food and Drug Administration will impose new import certification requirements on shrimp and certain spices from regions of Indonesia following detections of radioactive contamination, the agency said in a notice posted Saturday (Indonesia time). The measures take effect on October 31, 2025.
Under the framework, firms placed on a red list due to evidence of caesium-137 contamination must obtain verification from an accredited third party confirming controls for the radionuclide. Companies removed from the red list will remain subject to restrictions and must submit documentation required under the yellow list for each shipment.
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Products and firms on the yellow list, covering foods the FDA considers at risk for caesium-137, will need shipment certifications from an entity designated by the FDA, which must be an agency or representative of the Indonesian government.
Caesium-137 is a radioactive isotope found in the environment primarily due to nuclear testing and accidents such as Chernobyl and Fukushima, the FDA notes. Indonesia has no nuclear weapons program or nuclear power plants.
The move follows an August FDA advisory warning US consumers, distributors and sellers not to eat, sell or serve frozen shrimp processed by PT Bahari Makmur Sejati, after testing found caesium-137 contamination. The shrimp had been processed at an industrial estate near Jakarta later identified as contaminated. Indonesia’s nuclear agency is assessing the extent of the affected area. Bara Hasibuan, a spokesperson for the probe, told Reuters the investigation had just received a new report and authorities need time to determine next steps.
