The Indonesian government has affirmed that shrimp exports from Indonesia to the United States remain secure and are allowed to continue. Following detections of cesium-137 contamination in some shrimp and clove products exported to the U.S., the Indonesian authorities clarified that exports can still proceed provided they meet U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirements. These exporters must include a certificate of radioactive-free status issued by a recognized Indonesian certifying entity whenever they ship to the U.S. For companies placed on a more restricted “red list,” the certification process is more rigorous. Those exporters must undergo a verification and petition process and obtain certification from a third-party body accredited by the FDA.

To streamline and legitimize the export process, Indonesia’s Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) has agreed to be the certifying authority (Certifying Entity, CE) for issuing the required certificates that prove freedom from cesium-137 contamination. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the KKP and the U.S. FDA is currently under finalization to define procedures, standards, and reporting obligations. The certification process will leverage existing frameworks for seafood quality assurance, namely the Sertifikasi Mutu Hasil Kelautan dan Perikanan (SMHKP) system, by appending a “free from radioactivity (cesium-137)” designation. Importantly, the government reassured exporters that no extra costs will be imposed on shrimp farmers themselves—the expenses related to certification will fall to exporters. However, exporters must submit lab test results confirming that their products are free from cesium-137.

Source: https://rri.co.id/palangkaraya/nasional/1899197/ekspor-udang-indonesia-ke-amerika-serikat-aman