FDA Approved Indonesia Shrimp Import Certification Program
The FDA verified that Indonesian agencies updated safety protocols after detecting radioactive contamination in 2025.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Organic Food
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The FDA has officially approved an import certification program for Indonesian shrimp and spices. This decision follows rigorous onsite evaluations of processing facilities and laboratories to ensure products meet U.S. safety standards.
Why it matters
The move aims to prevent the entry of contaminated goods after the FDA detected the radioactive isotope Cs-137 in imports last year. Stricter oversight ensures that Indonesian food exporters comply with mandatory radiation and sampling regulations.
The FDA evaluated 1,200 Bq/kg as the safety limit for Cs-137, while inspecting 11 processing sites and 3 laboratories. New protocols now mandate a minimum 10-minute radiation scanning time for spice pallets.
The players
FDA
The Food and Drug Administration is the federal agency responsible for protecting public health by ensuring the safety of the food supply.
Marine and Fisheries Quality Assurance Agency
This Indonesian government body oversees the safety and quality standards for fishery products exported internationally.
Indonesian Food and Drug Authority
This regulatory agency is responsible for protecting the public from contaminated or unsafe food and drug products within Indonesia.
The details
Regulators performed onsite assessments in Banten, West Java, and East Java to address previous deficiencies in sampling and scanning procedures. Both the Marine and Fisheries Quality Assurance Agency and the Indonesian Food and Drug Authority have now implemented revised internal controls to align with federal mandates.
Timeline
In 2025, the FDA detected Cs-137 in shrimp and cloves imported from Indonesia.
October 31, 2025, marked the start of mandatory import certification requirements.
May 4-8, 2026, saw the FDA conduct onsite assessments of facilities and laboratories.
October 5, 2026, was the date the FDA published the final assessment report.
Culture Shift
This program aligns with the legal framework of Section 801(q) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to ensure international food safety. It reflects a broader global shift toward rigorous, verifiable supply chain documentation to prevent contamination.
Consumers can expect safer imported products as a direct result of these mandatory safety certifications. These checks ensure that imported shrimp and spices meet federal safety limits before they reach grocery shelves.
The takeaway
The FDA maintains strict safety oversight for all food imports to protect the public from hazardous radioactive contamination. Consumers should remain aware of food safety alerts to make informed purchasing decisions for their households.
Further reading
Learn more about the standards governing the industry at the Organic Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Food-safety.
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